First off I have a few disclaimers.
*All the opinions in this review are just that...MY opinions.
**I am a fan and ONLY a fan of Katie Rose. The people that truly know me know that she is my favorite Glinda and have been since I first saw her in Feb 2008 and that I will travel far to see her.

After I found out Katie Rose** and Kyle Dean were joining the tour I decided to see them in Cincinnati before they went to LA. So I got my ticket then learned that she was out for the weekend I was seeing it. Didn't stop me from still going since I love the show so much. The Aronoff Center is HUGE and gorgeous. I was up in the last row in the balcony. I was way above the Dragon's head. Sound was terrible up there as was the seating arrangements. My row was 67 seats across with only 2 aisles in the middle leading down. I was in seat 67 and next to a wall so I had to crawl over about 20 people if I wanted out.

Mamie Parris-I have heard nothing but great things about this girl and they were all right. Gorgeous voice,great actress,one of the prettiest girls I have ever seen. She doesn't riff much but she doesn't have to. The few things that she does(higher solo and higher first bring me down in DG,enjoy riff in OSD and a wild NGD ending) are very enjoyable. Very soft sweet voice until she belts...then she is extremely loud. In a smaller theatre I believe she would blow out the mics and speakers with her loudness. Great chemistry with Alli considering she hasn't really be on with her all that much. Very good chemistry with Kyle Dean.

Alli McGinnis-I knew nothing about this lady and never heard her sing until the show. Absolutely gorgeous taller Glinda(she was a head taller than Mamie) Started off very strong in NOMTW. Didn't do the A*Lone that I enjoy. She seemed to get really vocally tired after WITF. I'm not sure if she is not used to going on a lot yet or if it was because it was her second show that day. In Popular she was very funny and instead of doing a poof where most of them do she poked Mamie's nose and went BOOP.

Kyle Dean Massey-I first saw him as an understudy on Broadway in Feb 2009 with Nicole and LOVED him. Have seen him there everytime he came back also as lead or as a fill in. VERY easy on the eyes, great dancer and has a gorgeous voice. Has become my favorite Fiyero

Stefanie Brown-The loudest Nessa I have ever heard. Has a big booming voice. Kinda like Michelle London does. She reminds me a lot of Michelle in how she sings and portrays Nessa(not as evil as Michelle was). Between her and Mamie in WWOTE my ears were ringing.

Justin Brill-Not a huge fan of his Boq. I will leave it at that.

Liz McCartney-The most straight forward Morrible I have ever seen. She is a downright b*tch to both Glinda and Elphaba. Very good in her role though and has a great voice.

Ensemble-Carla Stickler is a standout in the ensemble as in Megan Campanile. Carla's "no one cries" growl rivals Stephanie Torns' growl which I think is the best. The tracks are way different from the Broadway cast that I am used to so it was hard figuring out who was who.

ALAYM was beyond steamy as Mamie and Kyle Dean were nose to nose the whole time.
FG was very emotional with Mamie holding onto Alli's hands almost the whole song.
DG and NGD are definately Mamie's best songs.

Anything else you want to know just ask.

Awesome review; thanks for sharing!

GR8 review; so excited to seeing them all in LA