I was supposed to see the show on the 28th, but was thankfully able to go on the 30th instead. It was #16 for me.

Ensemble - Good as usual. Lindsay Northen is always a standout.

Tom Flynn - It's hard to make Dillamond's scenes interesting, but he does. I love his performance.

Etai BenShlomo - A little more manic than last time, but still good. Not too whiny.

Cristy Candler - By far the best performance I've seen from her. I'd found her boring before, but this time she owned it and her acting was quite strong.

Tom McGowan - Very good performance. I like that he portrayed the Wizard as a bumbling, not so bright old man, rather than evil.

Kathy Fitzgerald - Strong performance and stage presence, but still not one of my favorites. I think she's much better in Act 2.

Kyle Dean Massey - Good, but not great. Looks the part, dances well, great chemistry with Teal. I always love seeing N2N alums.

Katie Rose Clarke - The reason I was there. Unfortunately, she was the most hyper I'd seen her. The audience was very responsive and she kept giving them more. I found myself rolling my eyes and silently groaning at one of her Act 1 antics. It detracted from the character. She redeemed herself in Act 2, as I knew she would. Her Thank Goodness was transcendent, and her transformation and depth in Act 2 were as great as always. When she's not dumbing herself down, she is such a gifted actress. Obviously better at drama than comedy. Her chemistry with Teal was great. One of Katie's greatest talents onstage is her ability to connect with her fellow actors. Although it wasn't the best performance I've seen from Katie, I'm glad I was able to see her as Glinda one final time.

Teal Wicks - Not quite as good as last time. She was overacting a bit and too angry in Act 1. Her anger and fierceness worked well in Act 2. She owned it. No Good Deed is her best song. Even when she was overacting, she mostly made it work because she was always sincere and in the moment.

On a personal note, it was an interesting show for me. I kept flashing back to my first time seeing it in February 2004. I don't like most of the changes they've made over the years. It's not the same show I fell in love with. I think this may have been my last time seeing it. I'll never say never, but I think it's time to say goodbye. I'm no longer getting what I used to get from it. I remember when it was the most magical, beautiful, profound thing I'd experienced. I remember hearing the songs for the first time and watching the plot unfold before my eyes. I remember hearing Idina's voice for the first time, which was a life changing experience in and of itself. I remember seeing the post-Defying Gravity face flash for the first time, which is still my favorite moment in the show. I remember when I thought all the jokes were funny and clever. It's just not the same anymore and neither am I. It's comforting and liberating to know that even though I'm letting go on one level, Wicked will always be a part of me. I do believe I have been changed for the better.

I often flash back to the one moment I can really remember from my first time seeing it as well. It was right after Teal sang the last note of Defying Gravity and you can see "the cape" stretching the with pf the stage . The whole show gives me chills even after my 11th stime seeing it. I always wish I could go back to my first time seeing it so I could not know what happens and be really surprised at all of the magical things Wicked has to offer once more. Though, in some ways, every time i've seen it feels like my first time.

I guess Katie wants to give it her all during her finals weeks with the show.

Great review Jess. I personally LOVE hyper Katie Rose. It just makes her transformation in Act 2 that much stronger IMO.


I agree about Cristy. Since she has come back she has become more snarky and even a better actress. She works so well with both Teal and Katie Rose too.