Innuendo & Outuendo

Archive for the ‘Fan Interview’ Category

Today, we have a fan interview from Elana who lives in Illinois. Since seeing Wicked for the first time in 2005, she has seen the show five times, between the Chicago sit-down production and 1st National Tour.

When was the last time you saw the show and what production?

I saw the 1st National Tour in Chicago in January 2011, at the Cadillac Palace Theatre.

Who is your favorite Elphaba and why?

Ana Gasteyer. Maybe it’s because she was the first Elphaba I saw live, but I vividly remember thinking she was absolutely flawless. I had seen her before on Saturday Night Live, and honestly just wasn’t expecting the remarkable performance she gave. The first notes of The Wizard and I blew me away, since I wasn’t expecting such a powerful, booming voice.

Of course, I’m also partial to Idina Menzel. Though I’ve never seen her live, you can feel her emotion through the soundtrack alone. And Elphaba is an extremely difficult character to play, I can’t even imagine how much work it must have been to create the role. It’s so impressive that, with the help of the creative team, she was the first person to really make people think twice about the Wicked Witch of the West.

Who is your favorite Glinda and why?

Annaleigh Ashford. She just seems to glow when she’s onstage. I don’t know what exactly it is about her, but she always stood out the most to me as Glinda. She has this never-ending supply of energy, and it makes her so interesting to watch as Glinda grows as a person. As Glinda grows,  she manages to lose the superficiality, while maintaining the bubbly energy that we’ve all come to associate with the Good Witch.

Which Elphaba/Glinda pair that you’ve seen do you feel had the best chemistry?

Definitely Dee Roscioli and Annaleigh Ashford. I was actually lucky enough to go to the closing performance of the extended run in Chicago, on January 25, 2009. Dee and Annaleigh were performing together at the time, and there was so much emotion onstage through the entire performance. They had been working together for quite a while, and I had seen them together before and noticed how well they seemed to work together. The stakes were definitely heightened since it was their last performance together, and it made everything feel that much more natural, particularly the ending. By the time they reached For Good, it was clear that the song was going to be all about emotion, and not so much about musicality. It was really incredible.

What other standouts have you seen in leading roles? (these can be other standouts in the three main leads and/or the other big roles in the show) 

Rondi Reed as Madame Morrible for sure. She blew me away with her total commitment to the character. I’ve always seen Madame Morrible as one of the most downright evil characters in the show, and Rondi does a fantastic job portraying that. I’ll always remember how scared I was the first time I saw her, when she came out to declare that Elphaba was loose in the castle and not to be trusted, and the speech ended in her screaming “WICKED WITCH” loud enough and shrill enough to have me practically jump out of me seat. She’s wonderfully terrifying.

I also love Telly Leung as Boq. I think people sometimes overlook Boq, as just that kid who’s hopelessly in love and eventually becomes the Tin Man. But Telly always managed to make the character stand out more – I always knew he was there, and that he had a purpose to be there.

Have you seen any understudies in the show? If so, what did you enjoy most about their performances?

I saw Jennifer DiNoia as Elphaba once, and I thought she was really great. I’ve always struggled with understudies and standbys, since I’ve never seen an understudy that was at all inferior to the main actor. Jennifer was filling in for Dee Roscioli, another one of my favorites, and her performance was every bit as good as Dee’s is. She was awesome.

If you stagedoor, tell us about your favorite stagedoor experiences.

I’ve never actually stagedoored before, but I have had opportunities to meet people involved in the show.

Stephen Schwartz and Elana

A few years ago, Stephen Schwartz did a book signing at a nearby Barnes & Noble. Needless to say, I made sure I was there. He sang a few songs from several different shows, closing with For Good. He signed one of my tickets, my Grimmerie, and my copy of the book he was there to sign: “Defying Gravity: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz from Godspell to Wicked.”  He was really nice, and really open to all the questions people had for him. It was an amazing experience.

I also had the opportunity to go to a taping of a half-hour TV special about the 1st National Tour on Comcast – ‘Broadway-In-Chicago Backstage.’ Four cast members were on the show: Barbara Robertson (Madame Morrible), Paul Slade Smith (Doctor Dillamond), Gene Weygandt (The Wizard), and Jackie Burns (Elphaba). I sat in the front row for the taping of the interview, and got to talk to the cast members afterwards. Having one-on-one conversations with each of them was thrilling, and they were so willing to answer any questions

Gene Weygandt, Elana, and Jackie Burns

Den and his wife with Stephanie J. Block

Today, we have a fan interview from Den, a fan who has seen the show twelve times between Broadway and the tours from 2007 until just last year! He is based in Maryland.

When was the last time you saw the show and what production?

I saw the touring company in July 2011 in D.C. at the Kennedy Center.

Who is your favorite Elphaba and why?

Stephanie J. Block – when she is on stage, she IS Elphaba. Not only is she an amazing vocalist, her acting is impeccable. She personifies the role and becomes one with the role. I have also seen her in 9 To 5 and she was amazing in that.

Who is your favorite Glinda and why?

Annaleigh Ashford – she is just so spontaneous. She is such a crazy Glinda that she will always have you laughing hysterically. Her rendition of Popular is almost never the same. There is always something very outlandish but you never know what she’s going to throw in.

Which Elphaba/Glinda pair that you’ve seen do you feel had the best chemistry?

It’s a 3 way tie:

Annaleigh and SJB were amazing. We saw them maybe 5 shows before SJB was to end her run on B’way so I am sure all those shows were very emotional. Two consummate actresses working together. Definitely a dream pair. We tried three times to see them. First we had tickets but SJB was on her honemoon.The next time she had the sprained ankle. Luckily we met her at the very end. For a while it looked as tough she wasn’t going to be back because of the injury.

Lisa Brescia and Annaleigh. I think Lisa was taken off guard a bit as she was the standby and SJB had sprained her ankle a day or two before. Annaleigh was just so crazy but Lisa was able to go with the flow and perform to the tee even with all of Annaleigh’s antics. I really don’t know how Lisa kept from cracking up. Lisa has the voice of a songbird and her trademark double “Again” in No Good Deed is something everyone should have experienced.

Christina DeCicco and Coleen Sexton were absolutely wonderful and so in sync it was touching. Most amazing is Coleen was a standby. I think what got me was, as Coleen was closing the curtain before she is “watered down” she put her hand to her heart signifying a handprint. Christina was my first Glinda, and in my opinion, vastly under rated.

What other standouts have you seen in leading roles? (these can be other standouts in the three main leads and/or the other big roles in the show) 

Den with Rondi Reed

Rondi Reed is one of the best Morribles you can see and she is the most generous and personable. Nothing to do with Wicked, but I have to say she aways wishes me Happy Birthday on Facebook and takes time to answer messages. I was unaware she is currently on Mike and Molly and she generously sent me the first season DVD signed by the entire cast along with a Happy Holidays card. Class act and one of the scariest Morribles to watch.

PJ Benjamin (Wizard) is also a great performer. I love his sing and dance style. He knows how to work that hat! I bet he did a little Vaudeville way back when!

Have you seen any understudies in the show? If so, what did you enjoy most about their performances?

Laura Woyasz, twice. Very, very talented and hard to understand why she never became a lead. I think she would definitely make my top 5 list of Glindas. Great voice and very good portrayal of Glinda. Another zany performer during Popular.

Kathy Santen went on as Morrible. It was strange in that Kathy is a younger woman and part of the ensemble. She is always so cheerful and friendly when you see her and it was a 360 degree turn around seeing her as this evil person. I’d never imagine her pulling it off until I saw it for myself. Great job!!!

If you stagedoor, tell us about your favorite stagedoor experiences.

Meeting Lindsay Northen because I met her after a show during B’way Cares but didn’t get a photo. I realized after I got home she was the gal that had a website with all her ensemble photos. We became myspace friends (that dates that, right?) and she would always respond. It was nice to see her at the stage door the next time we met  - she remembered me and I got a photo but I will always regret not getting the photo with her in costume.

Stephanie J. Block. She was back to performing after the ankle injury when we met her but we had heard that she was not doing the stage door. She was still undergoing PT which meant she had to get home right after the show to tend to it. We wanted to meet her so very badly and heard nothing but good things about her, so we figured stage dooring prior to a show was our only shot. If she wasn’t up to it we’d understand. We were on the sidewalk outside the stage door and my wife remarked that we were probably too early. I looked up and crossing the street was Stephanie AND Sebastian, her husband. We made eye contact and I know she could tell I was a very admiring fan. That and the fact my jaw about hit the concrete. I firstly said that we apologize if being there before the show was intrusive but that we knew this was the only way we could meet her and she quickly said that she loves her fans and she felt so bad about not being able to appear after the shows and told us how Sebastian escorts her to and from the show each day then helps with her PT. She was complimentary about our attire (I wear pink sneakers with green laces, and Althea had a ”Go Green” shirt on) and she said how cute we were.

We of course also said hello to Sebastian and I shook his hand. Stephanie and I talked about diabetes and her involvement (I have diabetes myself).  When I felt I was talking too much and apologized she told me she wanted to hear about my health. She is a truly caring and wonderful person.

We asked if we could get photos and Sebastian said he would take a photo of Althea and I with Stephanie. Can you imagine that? He even took two to make sure we got a good one.  That was truly an experience we will never forget. We saw her again at 9 to 5 and she remembered us.

Den with Mandy Gonzalez

Lisa Brescia. She is just the kindest soul you could meet. We saw her at a matinee and really wanted to meet her but she didn’t come out We weren’t sure what to do and we saw David Burnham (Fiyero). He said she’d probably be a little delayed because she was going over notes with production but she usually come out. We waited a bit longer, Cristy Candler came out and took photos with us and she affirmed Lisa would probably not be too much longer. When Lisa came out she was surprised to see us waiting and apologized that she took so long. We got photos and I kidded Althea since she always tends to complain about her photos, asking if she was ready and Lisa said she would take as many photos needed to get it right. We spoke a little about her teaming with Annaleigh and she lovingly dubbed her a “whack job onstage.” We kept in touch with Lisa via snail mail and we we let her know we’d be seeing her in a production near us in D.C.

On the day of the show we were outside a coffe shop and who emerges, but Lisa! I called out, “Hello pretty lady”, and she turned and said “Den and Althea, I knew you were coming because I had you in my planner.” We got photos with her and she told us how happy she was that we came out to support her again. We really need to get over to Mamma Mia but we have been lazy.

Christina Decicco. We became myspace friends and kept in touch after the first time I saw the show. She and Victoria even signed a photo and birthday card I wanted to

give to my wife. The second time we saw Wicked was in Philly and we were at the stage door. At one point my mind wandered momentarily. Next thing I know, I heard a female voice saying my name. I looked up and it was Christina approaching me with outstretched arms to give me a big hug!!!! I introduced her to Althea and she hugged her as well.

Nicole Parker was also very nice to us and Althea got her to do a little bit of Britney Spears as though she was a Wicked cast member!!!

We spotted Mandy Gonzalez before a show (we got there a bit earlier than expected) and when asked for a photo, she introduced us to her parents who had accompanied her and she had her mom take the photo.

Where is your favorite place to see the production from (ie. Orchestra, Balcony, etc.) and why?

Definitely the orchestra. The closer the better. I like being up close and seeing all the facial expressions. Some things you just can’t see from far away. I take my wife,

Althea each year to B’way to see the show for her birthday and I will spend money for the Premium Seats if needed. In fact just got Row CC dead center in April!

Have you seen any fun bloopers or mishaps occur? 

There have been a few times when the wrong line was delivered. I can’t remember exactly what. I do remember Mandy Gonzalez (Elphaba) said Uncle Henry instead of Uncle What’s His name.

What are some other shows that you have enjoyed?

9 To 5, Legally Blonde, Rock of Ages, Grease, West Side Story, Night Fever, The Wedding Singer. I (we) tend to relate most to shows with a pop culture theme.

I don’t think we’d relate as much to shows like Les Mis or Next To Normal although I have no doubt they are incredible.

Which “Wicked” actor or alumni’s work do you enjoy the most, and why?

Definitely Megan Hilty! I absolutely LOVE her and he was incredible in 9 To 5. I cannot wait for Smash (her new TV show). I also LOVE Coleen Sexton and she was great in Legally Blonde. She spent a good 5 – 10 minutes talking to us after a show in Philly since no one else approached her. Did you know she loves motorcycles and has an online ad/video promoting a motorcycle stand? She has a great voice and when you think of the stamina she must have to jumprope and sing every night – WOW. That woman is in tip top shape.

Today’s Fan Interview is from Holly. Holly has seen WICKED seven times since September 25, 2010 between London, England and Scheveningen, The Netherlands.

Who is your favorite Elphaba and why?

Willemijn Verkaik. She’s absolutely incredible. She just embodies what I think of as Elphaba. When I look at her performing I know it’s Willemijn but I see Elphaba. And I’ve never had any other actress do that for me. Also, her singing is bliss and she makes all of Elphaba’s crazy high belted notes sound like a walk in the park.

Who is your favorite Glinda and why?

My favourite Glinda that I’ve seen is hard…Chantal Janzen and Louise Dearman tie for top place to me. Both of their Glindas are so different yet they’re both so believable. I love their chemistry with whomever they are performing with, you can see that they are close with them. I really love Chantal because I went into the theatre with low expectations of her and walked out adoring her.

Who is your favorite Fiyero and why?

My favourite Fiyero is Mark Evans. He’s just…Fiyero. I love his voice and the subtlety you can see in his Fiyero.

Which Elphaba/Glinda pair that you’ve seen do you feel had the best chemistry?

Willemijn Verkaik and Chantal Janzen. When I saw them for the first time it was the first preview in the Netherlands and you could tell it was a special moment for both of them. Willemijn has great chemistry with all her Glindas but she seemed really close to Chantal. Chantal was a great, bubbly Glinda to go with Willemijn’s Elphaba and they were awesome together.

Have you seen any understudies in the show? If so, what did you enjoy most about their performances?

I have seen many understudies now. My favourite by far is Nikki Davis-Jones as Elphaba (she is actually my second favourite Elphaba after Willemijn). She was my first Elphaba and she was so passionate and just what I could hope for from an Elphaba.

We all know that the orchestra plays a huge part of the “Wicked” experience. Has one production’s orchestra stood out to you? If so, which one, and why?

The Netherlands orchestra stood out to me, just because the percussion was so loud in that production, it made some of the music sound strange. But it was also interesting to be able to hear what the percussion is doing in certain parts of the show.

If you stagedoor, tell us about your favorite stagedoor experience.

Once again…the Netherlands. (I’m getting predictable, aren’t I?) I think it’s because I finally got to meet this incredible woman I’ve been longing to meet all year and she was completely lovely and kind. My favourite out of the two times I stagedoor’d in the Netherlands was the 27th October 2011. I had given Willemijn a card with a letter inside which would fall out if she opened it right then and there. So she asked, “Should I open it now, or later?” and I told her, “Later.” She said, “Okay,” and proceeded to start opening the letter. So I had to stop her. But it was quite funny. After we were done talking to her she wished us a safe trip back to England (we had told her the day before that we were going to see the second show and then go home and being the sweetheart she is, she remembered). And so we told her we’d come back and see the show again and she said, “Good, I look forward to it!”.

I think my first successful stagedoor deserves a mention too, on the 24th September 2011, when I met pretty much the entire principle I had seen that evening. That was a great moment as well.

Tell us about your favorite performance of “Wicked” that you have seen.

My favourite performance of Wicked that I’ve seen was the 26th October 2011 in Scheveningen. The atmosphere was incredible because it was the first performance of Wicked there for the public. And it was also the first time I saw Willemijn Verkaik perform in the flesh. And it was all amazing. I didn’t care that it was in Dutch and I don’t speak very much of it, I just loved it.

Where is your favorite place to see the production from (ie. Orchestra, Balcony, etc.) and why?

Well, so far I’ve mostly sat in the Dress Circle for London and in the 3rd range seats right near the stage for Scheveningen and both were great. They’re both cheaper seats so I can afford to get to where ever I’m going and still have a good view.

Have you seen any fun bloopers or mishaps occur?

For London the last time I went, Nessa’s chair didn’t work. Poor Charlotte Scott (who was on for Zoe Rainet because Zoe was on a Glinda) had to just wheel herself back to Nikki.

For Scheveningen on both nights there were mishaps. On the first night the dry ice leaked just before the catfight and Jim (who plays Fiyero) ended up falling all over the place. They had to stop the show and someone came on with a cloth to wipe it up. We gave him a round of applause. On the second night, when Willemijn was meant to grab the broom after making it fly, she couldn’t get it off the wire and it floated off again. She and Chantal had to hold hands and then someone must have passed her a broom before she went up the machine because she had one then.

What are some other shows that you enjoy?

I adore the German show ELISABETH to death. I also love BLOOD BROTHERS, We WILL ROCK YOU, LEGALLY BLONDE, RENT…all sorts really!

Which WICKED actor or alumni’s work do you enjoy the most, and why?

Mostly I enjoy Willemijn Verkaik’s work because she’s just so passionate about everything she does and you can tell she’s always putting her heart and soul into it. She doesn’t do it for money, she does it because it’s what she loves to do.

Today, we have a fan interview from Jason W. Jason lives in New Jersey and has seen the show four times on Broadway and once on the 1st National Tour. Read his thoughts below!

When was the last time you saw the show and what production?

In November 2011 on Broadway.

Who is your favorite Elphaba and why?

That is really tough. I’ve been lucky enough to see three amazing Elphabas—Mandy Gonzalez, Stephanie J. Block, and Donna Vivino. Stephanie is my first Elphie, and I will always appreciate that about her. It’s what got me interested in Wicked, after all! She really had that “witchy” feel towards the end of the show, which I loved. I saw Mandy Gonzalez three times, and her acting just astounded me (not to mention her gorgeous voice). She was more subtle than most, so when it got to the flying portion of “Defying Gravity,” it was surprising and amazing. Donna Vivino by far had the best pipes in my opinion. Her riffs were great, but she kept them to a minimum. She was also the most passionate one I saw. It is more important to me that an actor act the part more so than sing it, but Donna was 100% in both fields. If I had to pick a favorite, I guess it would be Donna, but they are all so amazing.

Who is your favorite Glinda and why?

Another hard one. I have seen Kendra Kassebaum, Katie Rose Clarke, and Chandra Lee Schwartz. Kendra’s was the most sincere, yet Katie was so strong in the role that it made me question who I wanted to root for—Elphaba or Glinda. That was amazing. Chandra, on the other hand, is the best at showing the journey of growing up. I’d have to say that my favorite Glinda is Katie Rose Clarke, though.

Who is your favorite Fiyero and why?

Well, I know Andy Karl on a personal level, so seeing him live was amazing. He is my favorite because he really didn’t try to be funny, he just was just very sincere. That made it even funnier to me!

Which Elphaba/Glinda pair that you’ve seen do you feel had the best chemistry?

Honestly, all three pairs had great chemistry. When I saw Donna and Chandra, it was there first time performing together since the tour, and you could really tell they were having a fun time being on stage together again.

What other standouts have you seen in leading roles? (these can be other standouts in the three main leads and/or the other big roles in the show)

ETAI AS BOQ! Oh my gosh he was so amazing! Again, he is natural on stage but so hilarious. He is also really nice at the stage door.

Have you seen any understudies in the show? If so, what did you enjoy most about their performances?

I have seen Constantine Rousouli as Fiyero on Broadway and Donna Vivino as Elphaba on Broadway. Constantine was an AMAZING singer. Donna needs no words. She is just outstanding.

We all know that the orchestra plays a huge part of the “Wicked” experience. Has one production’s orchestra stood out to you? If so, which one, and why?

I really liked the touring one. They added little things and it was a nice change.

Today, we have a fan interview from reader Bway Mom. She has seen the show twenty-two times over three years, including the Broadway, San Francisco, 1^st, and 2^nd National Touring production. Read her thoughts below!

Who is your favorite Elphaba and why?

Carmen Cusack will always be special to me.  She was my first onstage Elphaba.  Her performance was so amazing I knew I could never get enough of this show.  Of those I have seen in person there is no favorite.  They are all too amazing!!

Who is your favorite Glinda and why?

I do have a favorite Glinda and that would be Natalie Daradich.  Her comedic  timing is impeccable and yet she lets us see there is a caring, intelligent Glinda on the inside.

Who is your favorite Fiyero and why?

I have to say I don’t pay a whole lot of attention to Fiyero but Richard Blake has a stage presence that makes us remember he is there.

Which Elphaba/Glinda pair that you’ve seen do you feel had the best chemistry?

My favorite pair would have to be all of them!!! I have to honestly say I have never been disappointed!! The chemistry is always there.  Leads, understudies or stand-by’s they all have the characters down pat.

Have you seen any understudies in the show? If so, what did you enjoy most about their performances?

I was lucky enough to see Carrie Manolakos and Felicia Ricci.  These two just blew me away with there talent and there off stage personalities.  Being understudies you could tell they gave the performance everything they had and a whole lot more.

We all know that the orchestra plays a huge part of the “Wicked” experience. Has one production’s orchestra stood out to you? If so, which one, and why? 

I have to agree with another fan and say the orchestra in Buffalo was way above par. The little changes they added made the music more memorable–even though that is saying a lot considering the original composer is Stephen Schwartz.

If you stagedoor, tell us about your favorite stagedoor experience.

I very seldom stage door but all of my experiences have been pleasant ones.  The actors are appreciative and friendly.

Tell us about your favorite performance of “Wicked” that you have seen.

The one that has meant the most to me besides the very first one has to be Dayton 2010, Marci Dodd and Helene Yorke made my first Wicked after Cancer a very memorable occasion.  Beside there performance the 3 little girls that sat near me made me realize how special this show is.

Where is your favorite place to see the production from (ie. Orchestra, Balcony, etc.) and why?

I usually sit in the first few rows of the loge or balcony, because I am short and want to be able to see   I have seen performances from the orchestra which everyone should see just once, Defying Gravity has a whole new meaning.

Have you seen any fun bloopers or mishaps occur?

In Indianapolis, Marcie Dodd and Helen Yorke seemed to have misplaced the flower for Elphaba’s hair.  They just ad-libbed through it and it miraculously appeared in the next seen. After that I noticed there is always an extra flower in one of Glinda’s shoes.

What are some other shows that you enjoy?

Rent has to be at the top of the list but I also enjoy revivals like Anything Goes, How To Succeed and South Pacific.  Some of the newer shows I have seen like 9 to 5, Jersey Boys and Legally Blond will be on my see again list.

Which “Wicked” actor or alumni’s work do you enjoy the most, and why?

There are so many but Idina Menzel is by far my absolute favorite.  I have seen her in concert nearly as many times as Wicked.  She is so real and grounded in her performances.  After the show it is even better, she signs everything, looks you in the eye and really makes it personal. I have been lucky enough to get a photo and on one occasion in Syracuse  a friend and I actually stood and talked with her for about 15 minutes!!  She will always be “The Elphaba” to me. I have seen Stephanie J. Block, Julia Murney, Shoshana Bean, Megan Hilty,  Jennifer Laura Thomson and Kristen Chenoweth perform.  I was also lucky enough to meet Stephen Schwartz on two different occasions.  So all in all I guess you can say Wicked has led me to begin following some amazingly talented performers.

Today’s Fan Interview comes from Kyle Filbeck. Kyle has seen the show ten times between the Broadway production, 1st National Touring production, and Chicago production between 2005 and this year. Check it out below!

When was the last time you saw the show and what production?

I saw the May 7th Matinee in Buffalo NY, the 1st National Tour with Mariand Torres and Amanda Jane Cooper. Carla Stickler was Nessarose, and Adam Sanford was Boq, but other than those three we had everyone.

Who is your favorite Elphaba and why?

Carmen Cusack.  I think she brings such a unique energy to the role.  Her voice fills the theatre, and your eyes are drawn to her when she is onstage.  She has fantastic comedic timing, and I just don’t think it is possible to not like her interpretation of the role.  Also such a kind person all three times I met her.

Who is your favorite Glinda and why?

Amanda Jane Cooper because she really knows how to make Glinda FUNNY yet sincere.  I loved watching her faces, and I loved her especially during Popular and the catfight scene.  She is incredible.  Lots of depth and such an incredibly nice person.  I run her fanpage on facebook, and if you have seen her, join!

Who is your favorite Fiyero and why?

This is hard. A three way tie between Cliffton Hall/Aaron Tveit/Colin Hanlon.  Cliffton and Colin play the role a bit rougher than all the other people I have seen in the role.  Their “Dancing Through Life” were both very raw, but enjoyable to watch, and they both had great Chemistry with their Elphabas.  I saw Cliffton three times and Colin once so far.  Aaron Tveit was a very “smooth” Fiyero, who had a grace onstage, and managed to charm the audience.  His voice was the strongest of any Fiyero I have ever seen and he and Nicole Parker had awesome Chemistry together.  All three are also exceptionally nice people.

Which Elphaba/Glinda pair that you’ve seen do you feel had the best chemistry?

Carmen Cusack and Katie Rose Clarke.  You could tell they were awesome friends and they really played off of each other well.  Their differences shined through individually too.

What other standouts have you seen in leading roles? (these can be other standouts in the three main leads and/or the other big roles in the show)

(that I have not mentioned before) Shoshana Bean (twice), Jennifer DiNoia, Mariand Torres, Stephanie Torns, Nicole Parker, Coleen Sexton and Ana Gasteyer for Elphaba.  JLT, Kate Reinders, Megan Hilty, Christina DeCicco, Meggie Cansler, Alli Mauzey, Chandra Lee Schwartz and more for Glinda. Andy Karl, Brad Weinstock, Alma Cuervo, Deedee Magno Hall, Lori Holmes (Nessa), Lee Wilkof, Barbara Tirrell, Adam Sanford, Carla Stickler (Nessarose) and many more

Have you seen any understudies in the show? If so, what did you enjoy most about their performances?
 Many Understudies.  Coleen Sexton for Elphaba is the Rawest Elphaba I have ever seen in the role.  Such a different voice, but I loved it.  She was very loud   I saw Kyle Dean Massey’s first ever performance as Fiyero on July 1st, 2007 in Columbus.  He was really into the role. He had an EXCELLENT voice as well.  Lori Holmes was an absolutley outstanding Nessarose as well.  I loved Meggie Cansler as Glinda too.  She was very much like Katie, which is understandable due to her being her understudy, but was also very much her own Glinda if that makes sense.  She has an exceptional voice and I am so happy she has found more success on and off Broadway.   Stephanie Torns was amazing as Elphaba.  I saw her in Cleveland with an otherwise full cast.  The whole energy of the show had changed, and I loved it.  Same with Jennifer DiNoia. She was very funny as Elphaba and had an excellent voice. Mariand is my 2nd favorite Elphaba.  I loved her.  Very very powerful voice.  Carla is the best Nessarose ever.  Adam Sanford is one of the best Boq’s I have ever seen as well.  Very very good.

We all know that the orchestra plays a huge part of the “Wicked” experience. Has one production’s orchestra stood out to you? If so, which one, and why?

It’s funny you mentioned that because the Orchestra in Buffalo last month was absolutley OUTSTANDING.  I noticed so many new things that I had never noticed before.  Lots of new guitar, and drums.  I really loved it.

If you stagedoor, tell us about your favorite stagedoor experience.
 So many.  Well, the casts on Broadway and the 1st tour all know who I am because I communicate with them via facebook and Email, so I always love it when they recognize me immediatley. That’s always fun I love all of them, and I can’t share them without typing forever.  I have written about them on my website, www.flyinghighwithwicked.blogspot.com

Tell us about your favorite performance of “Wicked” that you have seen. 

I honestly cannot pick.  I have seen the show 10 times.  They have all been so amazing.  I guess If I had to go with one, it would either be Cleveland in 2008, Buffalo in 2008 or Buffalo in 2011.  It’s so hard for me to describe!

Where is your favorite place to see the production from (ie. Orchestra, Balcony, etc.) and why?

The back of the floor is my favorite.  You can see the whole picture, and everything that is going on, but you still can see their faces!  It’s awesome!

Have you seen any fun bloopers or mishaps occur?

Nothing Big, but Carmen’s hat once fell off in the Catfight scene. Christina DeCicco’s wand caught on her dress when she was spinning it, but she got back on track   Katie Clarke forgot some of the words in Dancing Through Life, but got back on track really well.  Nicole Parker switched around some of the lines in Popular, but it was not that big a deal.  That’s really it though.

What are some other shows that you enjoy?

I LOVE Next to Normal.  2nd favorite hands down.  I love Rent, Book Of Mormon, In The Heights, Rock of Ages, Mary Poppins, Xanadu, Phantom of the Opera, Pippin, Wonderland…. there are so many.

Which “Wicked” actor or alumni’s work do you enjoy the most, and why?

Idina Menzel is a huge one.  I love her work so much.  I am not a Glee fan at all.  But She made me watch it.  I LOVE “I Stand.”  It is an amazing showcase of her talent, and I love that she wrote nearly every song on it.  They all have something special about them, and they all carry a great message.  She can really belt it out, or just keep it quiet.  I had the amazing ability to see her in concert last summer, and she is able to sound PERFECT live, just like she does on her CD. I hope she returns to Broadway soon.

I like Kristin Chenoweth’s work as well.  Again, she is the only reason I watched some of the Glee episodes.  I like her music, and I love her film work.  She is so very funny.

Adam Lambert, Caissie Levy, Aaron Tveit, Norbert Leo Butz, Carole Shelley etc… I just love following all these people’s careers.  They are awesome.

Today, we have a fan interview to share with Julian R., a New York based fan of “Wicked” who has seen the show seven times between the Broadway production and the 1st National Tour.

When was the last time you saw the show and what production?

The last time I saw Wicked was May 8th (1st NT)

Who is your favorite Elphaba and why?

A tie between Jackie Burns and Mariand Torres! I’ve seen Jackie 3 times so far and not once has she failed to amaze me. Her voice is so strong and clear. Her Defying Gravity is definitely the best rendition I’ve heard. I saw Mariand just last night and she blew me away! I enjoyed everything about her performance! Just amazing.

Who is your favorite Glinda and why?

This is a tough one. I don’t really remember Megan Hilty when I saw her in Toronto, so I’d have to go with Amanda Jane Cooper. I’ve seen her 3 times too. Her acting is awesome and I enjoyed every one of her songs. “Thank Goodness” in particular was amazing!

Which Elphaba/Glinda pair that you’ve seen do you feel had the best chemistry?

Probably Jackie Burns and Chandra Lee Schwartz. Their “For Good” was really emotional and you could tell they were having fun throughout the show.

What other standouts have you seen in leading roles? (these can be other standouts in the three main leads and/or the other big roles in the show)

Stefanie Brown is a fantastic Nessa! She’s really awesome during “Wicked Witch of the East”.

Have you seen any understudies in the show? If so, what did you enjoy most about their performances?

I saw Corey Mach as Fiyero the last time I saw Wicked and he was phenomenal! I really enjoyed his voice. I thought he really stood out compared to other Fiyero’s I’ve seen. I’ve seen Renee Lawless-Orsini as Morrible and she was great. I saw Emily Ferranti as Nessa and Rick Desloge as Boq…bot wonderful!

If you stagedoor, tell us about your favorite stagedoor experience.

When I stagedoored after I won the lottery on April 30th! It was the first time I met both Elphaba and Glinda. I met Stefanie Brown, Mariand Torres, Amanda Jane Cooper, Jackie Burns, and Paul Slade Smith.

Tell us about your favorite performance of “Wicked” that you have seen.

Hmm…another tough one. I’d say my favorite was my 3rd time seeing the show (first time seeing it on Broadway) on 10/10/10! I was so excited and it was my first time seeing Wicked again in over 2 years! Mandy and Katie were so awesome! But I have to say winning the lottery was interesting because the seats were close, but on the very far left.

Where is your favorite place to see the production from (ie. Orchestra, Balcony, etc.) and why?

I’ve only seen the show from orchestra so that’d have to be my favorite place!

Have you seen any fun bloopers or mishaps occur?

Not anything funny. The only thing I’ve seen was an Elphaba stumbling on a line during the Catfight.

What are some other shows that you enjoy?

I LOVE Phantom of the Opera!  Les Mis, In the Heights and Chicago are 3 of my favorites also.

Chad with Jackie Burns

Today’s Fan Interview is with Chad Campbell. Chad is from Toledo, Ohio and has seen the show nine times between the Broadway, 1st National Tour, and 2nd National Tour productions. He first saw in the show on July 28, 2007 in Columbus, Ohio, and last saw it March 8, 2011 on Broadway. Thanks Chad for doing this interview!

When was the last time you saw the show and what production?
The last time I saw Wicked was March 8, 2011 on Broadway.

Who is your favorite Elphaba and why?
My favorite Elphaba is Jackie Burns. I have to say that I was very reluctant before seeing her because she had only joined the tour a few weeks before I saw her, so I wasn’t sure how great of a grasp she would have on Elphaba. I was definitely excited to hear her sing because a fresh voice to the part usually means a pure and clear sound. After I heard her sing “The Wizard and I,” I knew I was in for a treat. It was so incredible to see her perform because, in my opinion, she had the character down to a T. The littlest things went so far. For example, she did some really awkward things with her hands, but it added so much to Elphaba…now whether that was intentional or not, it was great! Her acting and singing were top notch!

Who is your favorite Glinda and why?
My favorite Glinda is Katie Rose Clarke. I must say I had high expectations for Katie going into the performance, but she did not let me down in any way. Her vocals were incredible and her comedic timing was unbelievable. I could not get over how amazing her performance was. She has been playing Glinda for over three years between Broadway and the First National Tour, and it seriously shows. In my opinion, she knows the character in and out. When she is on stage, I couldn’t help but watch her because she has this amazing stage presence that just shines. I will never forget her performance…and I’ll try not to compare others to her!

Who is your favorite Fiyero and why?
My favorite Fiyero is Cliffton Hall. He was the first Fiyero I ever saw, and I was extremely impressed with him. What I loved is that he was able to sing through the part with such ease. He even added a few riffs that weren’t too much but were just nice to hear. Also, his acting along with his chemistry with Elphaba and Glinda were great! Compared to other Fiyero’s I’ve seen, I found that when he was doing the choreography for “Dancing Through Life” he wasn’t extremely focused on the movements, he just did them like they were natural.

Which Elphaba/Glinda pair that you’ve seen do you feel had the best chemistry?
I think Jackie Burns and Chandra Lee Schwartz had the best chemistry of any pair I’ve seen. I, once again, found it odd that such great chemistry was established even though Jackie had only recently joined the tour. Throughout the show I found that they really portrayed the love/hate relationship that blossoms; when I watched them perform “For Good,” I was blown away. I could genuinely feel that they felt their friendship being lost…INCREDIBLE! I wish I could see them again!

What other standouts have you seen in leading roles? (these can be other standouts in the three main leads and/or the other big roles in the show)
One stand out that I have seen is Marcie Dodd. I have seen her as Elphaba four different times. I first saw her as the understudy in the 1st National Tour, and then I saw her as the lead on the 2nd National Tour. She had definitely developed the character quite a bit. I would say that without a doubt she knows the essence of Elphaba, and it was such a treat to watch.
Also, I have seen Marilyn Caskey as Madame Morrible six times, and I absolutely love her! I could always hear the hatred for Elphaba in her voice during “Defying Gravity” and other songs. In my opinion, she had a great concept for the two sides of Madame Morrible.
P.J. Benjamin is a great Wizard, too. I’ve seen him twice in the role and he is definitely my favorite Wizard that I’ve seen.
Also, I loved seeing Michelle London as Nessarose. She has a bit of harshness in the character, but it’s just right. I have seen her perform five times and have never been disappointed. She puts everything into the character and makes a great transitions even though the character can be a bit bipolar between acts 1 and 2.

Have you seen any understudies in the show? If so, what did you enjoy most about their performances?
The understudies I have seen are: Marcie Dodd, Anne Brummel, and Christeena Michelle Riggs.
One thing I loved about first seeing Marcie in 2007 as an understudy is that her voice was so terrific. I think the role of Elphaba can certainly take a tole on the actress’ voice, and since she probably didn’t go on a lot, her voice was in great condition. That being said though, it was still amazing on her final 2nd National Tour final performance, which means she was singing in a very healthy way.
With Anne, I enjoyed her take on the character. She was the first Elphaba I saw that wasn’t Marcie, and she had a different interpretation. It was fun to see someone else play a role that I had already gotten used to!
Christeena was my first Glinda, so I didn’t really have an comparisons besides Kristin Chenoweth on the OBCR. She was wonderful in the role and was very fresh. She was also extremely hilarious during Popular; overall, I really enjoyed her!

We all know that the orchestra plays a huge part of the “Wicked” experience. Has one production’s orchestra stood out to you? If so, which one, and why?
The Broadway orchestra was beyond amazing. I had been used to touring orchestras, which usually feature local musicians, so it was AWESOME to hear an orchestra that has been with the music. It was just an overall amazing experience in the Gershwin with a phenomenal orchestra!

If you stagedoor, tell us about your favorite stagedoor experience.
I have gone to the stagedoor for every performance except my first time. It is so much fun to meet the actors and see them out of costume! I have two favorite experiences though.
My first stand out experience was in Toledo. I had seen the show four times already because the theater was only fifteen minutes from my house. The fifth time I saw it I was lucky enough to have been granted a backstage tour from Erin Wilson (Shen Shen). It was very special because it happened 2 days before my birthday so it was definitely an early birthday present in my opinion!
My second stand out stage door experience was in Columbus. After being blown away by Jackie and Chandra, my friend and I went to the stage door. As the cast was coming out we were really waiting for Jackie, but her, Richard H. Blake, and Randy Danson hadn’t come out. Well we were determined to see her so we waited quite a while. We finally caught her on her way back into the theater for the evening performance! We were talking to her about how great she was, and she asked if we had gotten all the signatures we wanted. We asked to get Richard and Randy’s so she took our playbills and we went to go get dinner. When we came back to get our playbills she surprised us and put a signed picture of her in it. It was so awesome that she took the time to do that for us; needless to say, we were extremely grateful.

Tell us about your favorite performance of “Wicked” that you have seen.
My favorite performance was March 8, 2011 of the Broadway production. I had seen the show 8 times prior to that, but it was my first time seeing it on Broadway which made it extra special. Additionally, I was able to see it with my best friend, and it was her 9th time seeing the show, too! We had Teal Wicks and Katie Rose Clarke going on that night, and it was incredible! I had been dying to see Katie perform for years. I first saw her in the PBS broadcast of “The Light in the Piazza” and was blown away. I had hoped to see her on tour but was never able to, so I’m extremely happy that it worked out! The experience of being able to see Wicked in the Gershwin theater on Broadway was an completely unforgettable.

Where is your favorite place to see the production from (ie. Orchestra, Balcony, etc.) and why?
I love seeing the show from the Orchestra. I have won the Wicked Lottery three times, which allowed me to sit in the Orchestra, as opposed to the balcony where I was used to! Being so close you’re able to catch every facial reaction, and everything is so clear. Although one side of the stage is usually out of view, I have seen it enough that I don’t mind.

Have you seen any fun bloopers or mishaps occur?
I have only witnessed one blooper. In Toledo, during Elphaba’s “freak out” at Shiz, Nessa’s wheelchair didn’t move. It was very interesting to see Michelle (who was on as Nessa) have to deal with the wheel chair just staying in one place.

What are some other shows that you enjoy?
I love Thoroughly Modern Millie, A Chorus Line, Next to Normal, Memphis, Legally Blonde, Mary Poppins, Ragtime, The Pirate Queen, and I could go on and on!

Which “Wicked” actor or alumni’s work do you enjoy the most, and why?
I absolutely LOVE Stephanie J. Block. I unfortunately have never gotten to see her as Elphaba, but I am truly a huge fan of hers. I learned of her through the Grimmerie and from headlining the 1st National Tour. I have looked up her other works and have luckily gotten to see her in concert. I met her after a “Wicked Divas” Concert in Columbus and it was so amazing to meet her. I was lucky enough to hear her sing “Defying Gravity” at the concert. From that concert and from youtube clips of her singing at concerts and birdland, I have noticed that she puts everything into every performance. A song is not just a song for her, SJB really gets into every character, which is wonderful to see from an actress.

Today we have a fan interview with Joe Weinberg, a San Francisco based fan of the show who has seen the production there 34 times since April 2009. Many thanks to Joe!

When was the last time you saw the show and what production?

Last time I saw it it was on the closing show of the San Francisco production. Saw both the Matinee and the Evening show and they were both amazing!

Who is your favorite Elphaba and why?

Can’t decide one, but my favorite Elphabas are Teal Wicks and Felicia Ricci. They are both really great singers and awesome takes on the role.

Who is your favorite Glinda and why?

My favorite Glinda is Kendra Kassebaum. She has such a great take on the role and a really great voice. Plus, she’s totally hilarious

Who is your favorite Fiyero and why?

Definitely Nicolas Dromard! He has awesome stage-presence and an amazing voice. And he’s just about the nicest guy you’d ever meet.

Which Elphaba/Glinda pair that you’ve seen do you feel had the best chemistry?

I thought Eden and Kendra had great chemistry, I saw them together about 10 times, and they were always so perfectly matched. Also, once I saw Felicia Ricci and Libby Sevais, the two standbys, together and they were really awesome. they were both really quirky but still very sincere.

What other standouts have you seen in leading roles? (these can be other standouts in the three main leads and/or the other big roles in the show)

Etai Benshlomo as Boq, and Deedee Magno Hall as Nessarose. Etai is an amazing actor and Deedee’s voice is incredible.

Have you seen any understudies in the show? If so, what did you enjoy most about their performances?

Lets see…in terms of understudies and covers, I’ve seen Felicia Ricci, Vicki Noon, and Alyssa Fox as Elphaba. Vicki I don’t really remember, but Alyssa and Felicia were both awesome! I saw Libby, the standby for Glinda, twice and she was amazing both times. I’ve seen Kyle Mcdaniel as Fiyero he was good. I saw Jeremy Kocal as Boq, he was good. I’ve seen Betsy Struxness, Neka Zang, Natalie Daradich and Laura Dysarczyk as Nessarose. All great understudies, but my favorite of them is Neka. I’ve seen Fiama Fricano, as well as Annie Funke as Madame Morrible. They were both fantastic, they are both amazing, especially since Annie is very young and did a great job playing an old woman. I’ve seen Keith A. Bearden as the Wizard, he was pretty young for the wizard but I still really liked him. I saw Tim Talman as Dr. Dillimond, i don’t remember much of his performance but I remember it also being good. I’ve never seen an understudy i didn’t like!

We all know that the orchestra plays a huge part of the “Wicked” experience. Has one production’s orchestra stood out to you? If so, which one, and why?

Well since I’ve only seen one production I have to say the San Francisco Orchestra. but just because they’re my favorite by default, doesn’t mean they aren’t totally awesome! They are all such talented people. I went into the orchestra pit of the Orpheum Theatre once, and the Percussionist, Allen Biggs gave us a demonstration and I just thought it was so amazing.

Nicolas Dromard and Joe

If you stagedoor, tell us about your favorite stagedoor experience.

That is a really difficult question, since I’ve stagedoored all but one of the shows I’ve been to. But if i had to choose I would say the most memorable stagedooring experience was on June 26th, 2010. This was Eden, Nic and Kendra’s last day, and the stage-door line was extremely long. It was so moving because all these actors, especially Nic, were very talented and awesome people. I got to say goodbye to Eden, Nic and even Kendra. Kendra almost never came out the stagedoor, and even on this day, she only signed a few autographs and didn’t get to me. but later, she was by her car, and I went up to her and talked to her. This was really special for me because it was the first time I had a real, substantial conversation with her, and she was so sweet and awesome to me. It was such an amazing experience; to have a conversation, and to be hugged by Kendra Kassebaum isn’t something you can do every day.

Where is your favorite place to see the production from (ie. Orchestra, Balcony, etc.) and why?

I sat in orchestra almost every time, because that was where the lottery seats were, and I came to prefer it and get used to it. so much so that when i saw it in the Mezzanine I would feel disconnected and almost disoriented. We all  considered B2 to be sort of the golden lottery seat, if you will. It was in the first row and as close to the center as any other seat in its section. so that was one of the best places to sit.

Have you seen any fun bloopers or mishaps occur?

I’ve seen a bunch of little things, but one of my favorites happened in Popular with Kendra and Teal. she throws the wand offstage saying “just wear the frock, it’s pretty!” but the wand hit something and bounced back onstage. Kendra didn’t notice it at first, but  Teal silently pointed to it, and Kendra looked at it, totally confused. and she — completely in character– picks it up and looks at it, then with a really big and dramatic wind-up, she turns around and throws it between her legs, and into the wings. Then she just had a look on her face like she was saying “we took care of that, didn’t we?” totally hilarious!

What are some other shows that you enjoy?

Some of my favorite shows, besides Wicked, include Rent, Next to Normal, Phantom of the Opera, In the Heights, Spring Awakening, Hair and Avenue Q. But I love all Broadway!

Today, we have a fan interview from Cortney, who has seen the show five times with three different Elphabas and three different Glindas. She lives in North Carolina. Thanks, Cortney, for the interview! Enjoy, everyone!

Who is your favorite Elphaba and why?

My favorite is the newest Elphaba in Wicked, Jackie Burns. She’s just fierce onstage with her Elphaba! Her “Wizard and I,” after the first few lines, I was in total amazement of what I was hearing. She does the crazy riffs during the climax so well. “Defying Gravity” was one of the best I have ever seen! I have never been in tears before at the end of the song, but was during the flight. “No Good Deed” her emotions and her Wicked side really came out and she really put on a jaw dropping performance. She looked like she was having a great time onstage. In my opinion, she’s the one to see as Elphaba.

Who is your favorite Glinda and why?

My favorite is Natalie Daradich, all though I have enjoyed all 3 of the Glinda’s I have seen for different reasons. Natalie does the comedy part of Glinda so well, along with the emotional side of Glinda. I love how she seems to get a small accent in her voice when she does the soprano notes. She has a very unique sounding voice and is just flat out adorable in the role. Her “Popular” is hilarious and I love her toss-toss and her Wilma Flintstone laugh. She just shines onstage and great both vocally and with her acting.
Which Elphie/Glinda pair do you think has the best chemistry?

Most definitely Vicki Noon and Natalie Daradich! You can tell when they are onstage together that they share a special bond and their friendship offstage really shines through on. They make the emotional parts of the show seem more real, especially during “For Good,” it’s like they are saying goodbye to each other for the last time. Anne Brummel and Natalie Daradich also have wonderful chemistry onstage together.
What other standouts have you seen in other principal roles? What about ensemble?

Vicki Noon, Cortney, and Natalie Daradich

I enjoyed Chris Peluso’s Fiyero the most out of the ones I have seen. He was so different with each Elphaba I saw him with and he is great onstage. Kristine Reese along with Michelle London are my favorite Nessa’s. Kristine does both sides of Nessa very well and I have always loved her during “Dancing Through Life” and the part “With this munchkin boy Galinda found for me” the smile she gets on her face and how she shrugs her shoulders up to her face and making the munchkin with her hands itty bitty. Her evil side to Nessa is one of my favorites, she also tends to almost run over Elphaba with her wheel chair, which just makes it comical. Marilyn Caskey’s Morrible always gives me chills when she does the speech during “Defying Gravity.” Don Amendoilia’s wizard is probably my favorite, I love the little dance he does across the stage during “Wonderful.” For Boq, Zach Hanna was wonderful in the role each time along with Justin Brill on the 1^st tour. The ensemble that always sticks out in my mind when I see the show, is the 2^nd tour ensemble. They are an amazing group of performer’s and really make the show a lot of fun to see.

Who are some standout understudies you have seen?

I have seen a grand total of 2 understudies in my history of seeing Wicked; Michelle London for Nessa and Catherine Charlebois for Midwife. Michelle was covering for Kristine Reese when I saw her, but she plays Nessa very well. She plays the sweet and innocent side very well and the evil side is one of the best I have ever seen. Her love for Boq will shines through during “Wicked Witch of the East.” Catherine Charlebois I saw with the 1^st tour and she reminded me a lot of Jenn Furman (former 2^nd tour midwife) and was great both vocally and with her acting.

Who is the nicest person you have met at the stagedoor?
That’s a tough question, because they all have been so sweet. One’s that really stand out for me were: Jackie Burns; I have never met some one so bubbly and sweet ever in my life. She really does not have a shy bone in her body. She fired me for my terrible picture taking but gave me a hug in the end for my rambling on about her performance. Kristine Reese; she came out with a huge smile on her face and looked excited to be there. She was very sweet at the stage door and fun to chat to. I will also never forget Erin Wilson, Jenn Furman and Christine Dwyer’s reactions both vocally and the looks on their faces when I told them it was my first time seeing Anne Brummel as Elphaba. Natalie Daradich was also very nice and made it feel like I was the only one standing out there at the door the first time I met her. Each Elphaba I have met also took time with everyone at the door and didn’t leave until everyone got what they came for at the door. Vicki Noon even stopped with my aunt and I a second time cause my aunt wanted a picture with her and Natalie, but Vicki happily took one with my aunt.
What was your favorite time seeing the show?

That would be my 4^th time seeing the show, which was in Charlotte, NC with the 2^nd tour. It was a spure of the moment at the beginning of the week to go try for the lottery. Plus my friend I went with had never done the stage door and it was an exciting day. We didn’t win the lottery but we got 3^rd and 4^th row seats to the show. We had a picnic outside under a huge shady tree right by the stage door and saw many of the cast members come in and some talked to us on their way in. Erin Wilson (ensemble) waved to my friend and I during “One Short Day” too. Just the day over-all was amazing and I said at the end of it, that my experience went full-circle in that one day.
Other than Wicked, what are some of your favorite shows?

My other favorite shows are Rent, West Side Story, Annie, Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Mamma Mia, Little House on the Prairie, Mary Poppins, Lion King & Wizard of Oz. (I actually went to high school with a girl that played Dorothy on Broadway while I was in high school)
Which “Wicked” alumni/current cast member’s work outside of “Wicked” do you admire most?

My top two favorites right now are Merideth Kaye Clark and Carrie Manolakos. Both are amazing talented and Merideth’s new album is just amazing. Really looking forward to when Carrie releases hers. I also love Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth also.