Best Glinda/Elphaba Pair in WICKED?

[FanofGreen]

I don't really think it's fair to say a show has lost what made it special when you've seen it a dozen times plus. I'm not trying to argue, I'm just pointing out that of course some of the magic is gone when you know a thing inside-out. I think it's human nature to become more critical as the thrill of discovery wears off. May explain what happened in my last marriage, as a matter of fact..... hah!

[qolbinau]

Has anyone ever seen the Australian Elphaba, Jemma Rix? She is the only Elphaba I've seen and I'm wondering how she compares to the rest of the world.

Also, I'd be interested to hear what Adamgreer's favourite pair is considering he has also seen the show many times...

[BroadwayFan12]

FanofGreen, I personally haven't seen it dozens of times. You do have a point, but there are other shows I know inside out and have seen them more times than Wicked, and they still give me pleasure. Wicked definitely is different than it used to be.

[bwayguy22089]

I think it just comes from being a long running show. The producers have embraced its long run and now advertise it as a tourist attraction, similarly to Mamma Mia and Phantom, rather than a creative, smart Broadway production. It now attracts many more large families, children and foreigners than it ever did before. That's not a bad thing. It's just different. Also, many of the cast members have been apart of the show in some aspect for years and years. It's just stale. It's almost as though the casts are trying TOO hard to be fresh and it actually makes most of the performance too over the top and unbelievable. It's still good. I'm sure first timers enjoy it. However, people used to leave the show in tears... or at least somewhat moved. Now, many of them just leave saying things like "Well that was fun!" Again, not bad. Just different.

[ajh]

I saw Jemma Rix as Elphaba durig the Sydney season and I enjoyed her performance....she can certainly sing...but found her a little bland, or at least less quirky and distinctive than some of the others I've seen in the role.
That said, the Aussie Glinda (Lucy Durack, who is now playing Elle in the Australian premiere of Legally Blonde) was far and away the best I've seen in that role: hilarious, touching and with a soaring soprano: a real star performance.

[FanofGreen]

bwayguy: I have seen the same cast give great shows and so-so shows - so, just how much energy is in the theater on any given night can make a huge difference in the show one sees. I was surprised when I found out that, except for the principals, when you sign a contract for a show it's for as long as you can play it. I cannot imagine doing the same thing for hundreds and hundreds of performances. I remember a comment from a Broadway performer that said sometimes when they are singing, they are thinking of other things. When anything becomes that rote, it has the potential of being boring, no? I completely agree with your comment about them going "over the top" to try to keep it fresh.

[watchmesoar]

I always loved Shoshana Bean and Megan Hilty!

But I never had the chance to see them live on stage. But I saw Roberta Valentini and Heather Carino in Oberhausen, Germany and they both were terrific, great chemistry and comedic talents!

[hyperbole_and_a_half]

Hilty + Bean is the definitive answer.

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[GlindatheGood22]

I cannot believe there was ever a time when Wicked mattered so much to me.

But old habits die hard, so I say Megan Hilty and Shoshana Bean.

[adamgreer]

Julie Reiber and Alli Mauzey, especially when Aaron Tveit was Fiyero.

[goldenboy]

Has anyone seen the Zambia production of Wicked with
Zwet Klubutis and Phonesk Arbrarkensic.? They were amazing.