She is a fantastic Elphaba. Her "No Good Deed" is incredibly dark and haunting (which the song should be) and keeps the riffs to a minimum but still pulls out some shocking new things that makes her voice just blast through the roof.
I believe the Kerry Ellis exception was related to Idina Menzel opening the show in the West End.
I'm still surprised that they let Elena Roger come over with all the Americans who could play Eva. They make exceptions for box-office stars, but I would count Ricky Martin in that category, rather than Roger. Although I did like her acting very much.
Actually, it is quite simple to bring over a foreign actor. The Equity exchange program. No, it doesn't have to be direct - ie, a Broadway Wicked actor for a London Wicked actor. But the union keeps a tally, so to speak.. an American job for a foreign job. A foreign-born actor with a green card, such as Caroline O'Connor, can work here as well.
joined:3/25/12
Posted: 12/7/12 at 01:03pm