I don't think the performances of individuals has ever been as scrutinised and as debated as it has for the role of Elphaba in WICKED. So here's my take on the leading ladies who have covered the role on both sides of the Atlantic and even in Japan. I've listened to and experienced all of the ladies that have taken the role (I've even included some understudies!) and here are my thoughts on their performances taking into account the top 3 Elphaba songs; The Wizard And I, Defying Gravity and No Good Deed. YES I have that much free time on my hands!
Couple of disclaimers:
1. I know it's not complete and this really bugs me! I'm missing about 5 of them including Jenna Leigh-Green, Dan'yelle Williamson and Courtney Corey.
2. Of course I'm biased - it's me REVIEWING them.
And finally before we get going... many thanks for those from the Witches of Oz forum for fact-checking and correcting typos.
BROADWAY CAST MEMBERS
IDINA MENZEL
Broadway Lead 1, London Lead 1
Well she'll always be the original and you can see why. I love her voice apart from her real diction problem. Idina's acting in the rest of the show is totally award-worthy but in the songs she starts doing pretty cortorted facial expressions which I find pretty distracting. When Idina is on form she brings a wonderful ernest to the role and a definite star quality. When she's having a bad night or is nervous she starts doing loud horror struck intakes of breath (I'm told she's athsmatic which might explain that) and her tuning goes out of the window. The 2004 Tony Award performance will imortalise Idina's vocal inconsistency. The problem I have with Idina - and it's a not a problem with her per se is that she has been completely idolised by a lot of WICKED fans who quite frankly don't know better. When Idina was the only one who had performed the role, I guess we could be forgiven for thinking that she was one of a kind - that she was the only one who could carry off the role. Then came along Shoshana and then everyone else. Suddenly Idina doesn't feel so special any more. However, WICKED fans and those who are new to WICKED who are used to Idina's polished performance on the original cast recording (where you can do numerous takes to get it right) still go completely over the top in their admiration and that just puts me off!
What was actually very interesting to see was Idina's last performance in London. A hell of a lot more riffs (stolen from Shoshana) and such a wonderful, moving performance... and for once, under pressure she didn't screw up on her tuning. You may be interested in reading my earlier review of London when it opened, here. Either way I guess the fact that she is still idolised shows that she set the bar high for the role and for that, I respect her (not to mention her recalling the famous accident is absolutely hilarious - her telling the story that is, not the fact it happened).
SHOSHANA BEAN
Broadway Standby 1, Broadway Lead 1, Tour Lead 3
Anyone who knows me knows what I think of this amazing performer. Her "riffs" are much discussed by die-hard WICKED fans. Coincidentally why are they called riffs? That shows no resemblance to the music term "riff". They are merely "adlibs" surely? Anyway, Shoshana is definitely my favourite Elphaba. Not only did she invent the dork snicker in The Wizard And I she brings a cute nerdyness in the early parts of the show and then a real strength when needed. Her vocal ability is amazing and I love how Shoshana really shows that she understands what she is singing. She speaks and emotes, emphasises all at the time. People have accused her of singing through her nose but I don't hear this from the recordings (and Shoshana's other vocal work). Pair her with Megan Hilty and you have the best Elphaba-Glinda pairing ever as well as a bundle of laughs.
I only have to listen to Shoshana's last performance in Toronto of Defying Gravity to remind me that she is by far my favourite Elphaba. The only thing I dislike about her performance in Defying Gravity is her trademark final riff - I'm thinking "what is that supposed to be?!" it's almost like she's in pain, but she's supposed to be in a position of power. It doesn't have the impact that other actresses bring to that (see Shona White below), but given that it's what, 5 seconds of a stellar 2 hour performance I don't care too much. Also on the sad side, it sound like her voice got a little strained towards the end of her two year stint as the green one. Comparing audio recordings of her early standby days and final tour days shows a lot of scratchiness and harsh gravelly vocal tone. People have said she was sick - but I don't know if that's true. She still wipes the floor with most people on this list.
SAYCON SENGBLOH
Broadway Standby 3
One thing I love about Saycon is the way she looks at her green hands when she sings "some things I cannot change, until I try I'll never know)". It's a great touch. One suspects there's a reason though that Saycon has never been offered the role "full time". Saycon's inexperience in the role does show through in the performances I've seen, especially in her static delivery of some of the set choreography and blocking. What I do like is the maturity that Saycon brings in terms of vocal style (rather classical don’t you think?) and in her acting. It reminds me that this is a theatre piece.
JULIA MURNEY
Tour Lead 2, Broadway Lead 5
I love how Julia Murney brings a rather feminine quality and vulnerability to the role even though appearance-wise she's not my perfect Elphaba. Fans of the show criticise her vibrato but I really like her resonating deep and rich voice. Julia is probably one of the most "on the book" actresses and you know, you'd be surprised at how "off the book" most of the actresses are when it comes to Defying Gravity. Even those that have been criticised as being boring and playing it straight are actually copying a lot of Idina's original work, probably without realising. A good example of this was the critic reaction to Kerry Ellis when she took over in London - she pronounced some words with an American accent. Anyway, wasn't I talking about Julia Murney? Compared to Shoshana, it's nice to see someone actually singing what the composer wrote and really admire her for going back to basics. For some reason the WICKED fan base hasn't seemed to warm to her and I don't know why this is. Interestingly enough Julia was picked as the top Elphaba in the Witches of Oz forum vote, although the reason for this was explained by a contributor - that the current lead is always selected as "the best" when a poll is taken. Let's face it, as the current Broadway lead at the time of writing, this woman has the weight of this massive flagship on her shoulders and she should really be respected for that.
LISA BRESCIA
Broadway Standby 4
I’m a big, big fan of Lisa in the other roles she has performed such as Amneris in AIDA. She delivers on this. I love the ferocity of her No Good Deed where she crescendos on the longer notes. Her interpretation is very, very realistic in my opinion and her diction is perfect. What sets Lisa apart from other actresses in the role is her ability to be tender and make the most of the quieter passages. In Defying Gravity she brings a great vulnerability, anger and inner strength again all of which is very realistic. She sings pretty much on the book which is always good, but gives way to occasional flourishes which don't detract from her character work. Her classic musical theatre background means that she's able to tackle songs like I'm Not That Girl sensitively. He voice has a bell like sonority. Her performances make her one of my favourite Elphabas. Lisa deserves this role when Julia Murney leaves.
BRANDI CHAVONNE MASSEY
Broadway Understudy 2
What is it about the actresses in WICKED having super syllable names or really long names? Maybe that's just actresses. A lot of copying from Shoshana in Defying Gravity - but if you're gonna copy, copy from a legend. Actually there is a lot of originality including a primal scream at the end of this song which is pretty captivating. Moving swiftly along to Wizard And I and we're looking at some very, very good acting. Some people say she over acts, but I quite like it that she's concentrating on telling the story as well as the various vocal acrobatics. She totally brings that song to life - probably the best I've seen it performed. Some tuning issues but it's so good to see that she is acts between vocal lines and I love the enthusiasm she brings to that particular song. It's really endearing.
LONDON CAST MEMBERS
KERRY ELLIS
London Standby 1, London Lead 2
The first British Elphaba with (shock horror) a British accent. Kerry Ellis was filling big shoes after Idina, but she's really grown into it. I'm still not convinced by some of her delivery and particularly the moments she elects to speak/shout rather than sing. However, I like her vocal tone very much - it's very rich and very full. Physically she's not the perfect Elphaba for me but she does bring some great vocal moments, particularly in The Wizard And I. She has totally done us brits proud. It's a shame us brits don't go as MENTAL as american theatre lovers over our leading ladies because she deserves every ounce of praise. I mean really, who wakes up one day and thinks "yeah I'm gonna follow Idina Menzel in a role that was moulded around her and for which she won a Tony Award.... yeah I'll give it a go"?
CASSIDY JANSON
London Standby 1, London Understudy 3
It's a shame that Cassidy is just a standby because she is really more than that. Her voice is like a tidal wave... a tidal wave that soars! In some of the extracts from Defying Gravity she seems to be straining in the flying sequence, but that could have been a bad night.
SHONA WHITE
London Standby 2
I am really sad I did not get to see Shona perform live in London (where I'm based) before she left. I love how Shona does the wicked witch act with such conviction. Her voice is very, very pop and although she has a tendancy to clip notes and let her vibrato wail - I still think she's pretty cool and I absolutely love her coda of Defying Gravity. That "ahahaaa" is always a bit of a non-entity. If I was an actress I'd be like "what the hell am I supposed to do with this". Shona makes it this kind of evil triumphant cackle that seems really well placed. I think the only people who do as well are Kerry Ellis and Idina Menzel.
US TOUR CAST MEMBERS
STEPHANIE J BLOCK
Workshop Lead, Tour Lead 1, General Legend
I love SJB particularly because she bellows in Defying Gravity - it's very powerful. I'm still not convinced how she can think that she's EVER in tune when she sings "it's me, it's me" but then I'm not a top Broadway actress so I'll give her the benefit of the doubt. If I was a super WICKED fan I'd be tempted to comment on how she has the best witch fingers and spend a gazillion pages doing so (as the Witches of Oz forum did) but I'm not. The thing I really love about the power 3 as I like to call them (Idina, Shoshana, Stephanie) is that they seem to go into their own performing zone, a kind of mesmerising state. The other Elphaba's I've seen don't seem to have this. SJB also is one of the few actresses who look like they are flying during Defying Gravity by using her hands and the broom. Come on girls, try and make it look like you aren't on a cherry picker! SJB should totally be installed in one of the high profile productions. If I didn’t want Lisa Brescia to take over after Julia, I would go for SJB every time.
VICTORIA MATLOCK
Tour Cast Lead 4, Tour Cast Standby 1
The tour cast's current Elphaba is rather irritating considering she clips every single note in Defying Gravity. I swear she halves the value of each held note. Also some serious tuning issues. I'm not impressed at all. Her Wizard And I is good but no better or more unique. Compared to the other actresses here, she's pretty forgettable.
COLEEN SEXTON
Tour Cast Standby 2
I love Coleen's ability to interpret the song and I like how she choses careful moments to speak her lines rather than sing. She puts a lot of emotion into her performances, but somethings it can be a little melodramatic. She also has a tendancy to be pretty nasal during Defying Gravity which makes her sound like a spoilt brat. More so than other actresses who've tackled the role she really plays well against her Glinda (in the case of the extracts I've seen it's Erin Mackay).
MARCIE DODD
Tour Cast Understudy 3
I haven't been able to sample too much of Marcie's performances BUT what a hidden little pot of gold she turned out to be when it comes to her performance as Elphaba. She appears to come from the Shoshana Bean school of singing/acting and she has been described by some fans as being "all riffs and no emotion". I kind of agree, but that's because I love Shoshana's work and I love Marcie's too! She seems to have a inherent ability to interpret the words of the song and its context in her performance. She puts a lot of power behind her voice and it is clear that it's sometimes a little too much as critically she fails to hold the note on the diminuendo in No Good Deed. On that note, her chanting in that particular song is so fierce and desperate I don't know how anyone can say that she shows no emotion! Poor breathing (bit of a hurried, breathless Defying Gravity) in places but nice rock twists make her quite unique. What she lacks in security of technique, she makes up for in a powerhouse performance and that is really what playing Elphaba is all about. Also some of the extracts I viewed were from her second performance ever - she was so mature and obviously totally ready to take to the stage.
CHICAGO CAST MEMBERS
KRISTY CATES
Broadway Understudy 1, Chicago Lead 2, Tour Lead/Sick Cover, Chicago Standby 1
Firstly I'll say that Kristy really looks the part to me. Like Shoshana and Idina she looks how I imagine Elphaba to be. Yup that's a personal opinion, but then so is all of this and well, this is my blog. Kristy brings some unique riffs to her performances particularly during the flying sequence of Defying Gravity although they are not copied as much as those of the other actresses here. Did you know she was originally in the Broadway ensemble with Idina as well as playing understudy and was then flown out to Toronto when Stephanie J Block got sick in the tour? You can hear her in the original cast recording singing, among other lines, "no one cries they won't return" in the opening number. So much respect for being a legend. Probably one of my favourite actresses in the role. Personally from what I've seen I think she is much more suited to the role than Ana Gasteyer.
ANA GASTEYER
Chicago Lead 1, Broadway Lead 4
Firstly Fans seem to agree for once that Ana is the actress who most resembles is it, Margaret Hamilton(?) from the MGM film. I'm not sure whether that's a good thing. In the clips I've seen of Ana's performance they seem rather lack lustre or it could just be that she is beautifully underplaying the role. She has the wicked witch thing down to a T though.
DEE ROSCOLI
Chicago Lead 3, Chicago Standby 2
I find Dee Roscioli's performance very classic musical theatre, very Les Missy. Her portrayal of Elphaba is very mature and intelligent. Dee seem to excel at the standard wicked witch portrayal than some of the other actresses miss but she doesn't seem to match them in terms of emotional gravitas. Her voice is alright but her belting can sound very harsh and pointed rather like you're being stabbed in the face. Do you like being stabbed in the face? I don't.
CARMEN CUSACK
Chicago Standby 3
Carmen falls into the bellowy Elphaba category and she also likes to do feminine throwaway endings. I do however like her fluid and spellcasty hand movements which make her look rather magical – other actresses take note (you are after all playing a WITCH). The most impressive thing she brings to the part is when Glinda attempts to stop her from casting the levitation spell in Defying Gravity. She doesn't stop immediately but almost breaks down crying as though she is really frustrated and tired. This is a great piece of character acting in my opinion.
JENNIFER DINOIA
Chicago Understudy 2
Jennifer gives her performance quite a lot of pop. That's all I can really say about her.
LA CAST MEMBERS
EDEN ESPINOSA
Broadway Lead 3, Broadway Standby 1, LA Lead 1
I really like Eden's voice and her ferocity particularly during Defying Gravity but she can be quite nasal and shouty. She also has a tendency to go a little off pitch. OK so I kind of forgive her for getting a little emotional on her last ever performance, BUT the result wasn't pretty at all. She grows on me every time I see her perform. I love her unique take on "everyone deserves the time to fly" using just two notes. I also love the security that she has throughout all the registers.
JULIE REIBER
LA Standby 1
Julie strikes me as a very good actress in her key performances of these songs. Her voice has quite a maturity to it which is not unlike Stephanie J Block. I find that she's prone to wailing with a lot of twang and then the next moment sounding like Ethel Merman. That's not my idea of a perfect Elphaba but it might be yours. She does have the dorky exuberance of Elphaba though which I quite like.
UNVERSAL STUDIOS, JAPAN
JILLIAN GIACCHI
Universal Studios, Japan Lead 1
Julie Who? Yes the Elphaba from the Universal Studios park in Tokyo, Japan. This is a widely condensed version of the show where Elphaba only sings the first act songs, but none-the-less Jillian has become a bit of a cult hero among WICKED crazies. Firstly I feel sorry that Jillian doesn't get to use the cherry picker contraption and has to stand on a plinth that rises like a column out of the ground that is massive and looks stupid. She does pretty well given that and the the fact she probably performs more than 2 times a day, 6 days a week. Her voice is very youthful in terms of it's sound but the power is still there. Her diction is not amazing but then she is performing in two languages in Japan (she is originally from Boston). She also doesn't have a live band so is constantly confined by a click track - not an easy task if you want to mix it up a bit. Not amazing, but still quite cool!
LARA JANINE
Universal Studios, Japan Lead 2
Julie Ok don't go running for your playbills just yet, Lara is from the Universal Studios cast as well. Didn’t you read the big sign that says “Universal Studios cast”? - you’re probably still blinded by your tears of hate that I criticised Idina. She’s not untouchable you know! Lara acts and sings really well - I think she could take over the role full time, perhaps on tour before joining one of the city-based productions. Not sure about her hand and arm movements (what are you doing?!) but she's bright eyed and enthusiastic in the earlier scenes - sure there aint much time for character development in a 30 minute show!
