Posts tagged San Francisco Production
Event: Felicia Ricci & Libby Servais to Perform at Apple Store
1Tonight (July 13, 2010) at 6:30 PM, Felicia Ricci (s/b Elphaba – San Francisco; former ensemble, u/s Elphaba – San Francisco) and Libby Servais (s/b Glinda – San Francisco; former ensemble, u/s Elphaba – 2nd National Tour) will be performing at the Apple Store in Union Square. In addition, Jonathan Ritter (Swing; u/s Chistery – San Francisco) will be doing a “Behind the Emerald Curtain” presentation.
Cast Update: San Francisco Production
0Marcie Dodd (former Elphaba – 2NT, Broadway; Elphaba s/b – Los Angeles; principal Nessarose & Elphaba u/s – Los Angeles; Elphaba u/s & Nessraose u/s – 1NT) has replaced Eden Espinosa (Elphaba – San Francisco; former Elphaba – Los Angeles, Broadway, 1NT; original s/b Elphaba – Broadway; former u/s Nessarose – Broadway) as Elphaba.
Alli Mauzey (former Glinda – Broadway; former s/b Glinda – Broadway) has replaced Kendra Kassebaum (Glinda – San Francisco; former Glinda – Broadway, 1NT) as Glinda.
Cliffton Hall (former Fiyero – 1NT; former ensemble, u/s Fiyero – 1NT) has replaced Nicolas Dromard (Fiyero – San Francisco; former ensemble, u/s Fiyero – 1NT) as Fiyero.
Penelope J. Armstead-Williams has left the cast and was replaced by Angela Ara Brown (former ensemble – Los Angeles, San Francisco).
Cast Update: San Francisco Production
0Kristen Faith Oei (former swing, Dance Captain, u/s Witch’s Mother & Midwife – San Francesco; former swing, Asst. Dance Captain, u/s Witch’s Mother & Midwife – Los Angeles, 1NT) has left the company. Lori Ann Ferreri (former swing, u/s Nessarose, Midwife, Witch’s Mother – Broadway) replaces Ms. Oei as a swing. Allison Leo (current swing, u/s Witch’s Mother & Midwife – San Francisco; former Asst. Dance Captain – San Francisco) is the new Dance Captain.
Angela Ara Brown (former ensemble – Los Angeles, San Francisco) has re-joined the San Francisco company as a member of the ensemble.
The official website has not been updated; this information comes from a recent San Francisco playbill.
Dodd, Mauzey, and Hall to Join San Francisco Cast of “Wicked”
1Marcie Dodd (former Elphaba – 2NT, Broadway; Elphaba s/b – Los Angeles; principal Nessarose & Elphaba u/s – Los Angeles; Elphaba u/s & Nessraose u/s – 1NT), Alli Mauzey (former Glinda – Broadway; former s/b Glinda – Broadway), and Cliffton Hall (former Fiyero – 1NT; former ensemble, u/s Fiyero – 1NT) have all been confirmed to join the San Francisco company of “Wicked” on Tuesday, June 29, as Elphaba, Glinda, and Fiyero; respectively. The production closes on September 5, 2010.
Exclusive Interview: Neka Zang
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Today, we are thrilled to share an interview with Neka Zang. Ms. Zang is currently a member of the San Francisco production, portraying the Witch’s Mother each night and understudying the role of Nessarose. Previously, she has performed the role of the Witch’s Mother in the Los Angeles Production and the Chicago Production. Check out her interview below.
- What was your first professional job? How did you get the job and what did you learn from it?
My first job was performing the lead role “Peggy Sawyer” in 42nd street at The Performing Arts Center of Costal Carolina. I had come straight out of college, and went in to audition for the ensemble, and came out with the lead! I learned professionalism, and met amazingly talented people, who I have linked up with on other shows as well!
- How did you come to audition for “Wicked”? What was the audition process like? I auditioned twice. Each time there was probably over 200 girls just for that day. I had to perform a long dance combination from the show, and a monkey combination that was not in the show. After people were cut, I was asked to sing for the creative team. It was a long day, but so fun, as they had live drums and piano in the room!
- What was your reaction when you found out that you had been cast in “Wicked”? How quickly did you have to move to begin rehearsals?
I was so shocked when I got the call that I had been cast in Wicked. This show was something I had dreamed of doing! I was in Boston at the time working, and my parents were visiting me, so they got to share the good news with me right then and there! I had about three months to go back to NYC and pack and head to Chicago to start rehearsals, and it went by very slowly!!
Neka Zang as the Witch's Mother
- How intense were the rehearsals for the ensemble? Did you rehearse all day every day?
I had two weeks to learn the show. You come in Tuesday-Sunday to learn the music, scenes, and dances. At first it felt very overwhelming, but as the week goes on it all starts to come together and make sense.
- What was your first performance like?
I remember there being a lot of smoke, and having a hard time recognizing my colleagues in their crazy Ozian wigs. I had a lot of adrenaline pumping thats for sure! It was amazing and I will never forget that feeling!
- How did the move to the San Francisco production come about?
I had been asked to join the L.A. production of the show before we moved to S.F. The move was just a part of me staying with the show.
Neka Zang as Nessarose
- What is your favorite part of the show to perform?
All the dancing in the first act is my favorite, because its fun costumes, improving with your colleagues, and it keeps you sweating until “Defying Gravity”.
- We saw that you recently earned a promotion to understudy for Nessarose. How did this come about? How have rehearsals been thus far?
I had wanted to be this understudy for some time, but there was never a spot open for me. I auditioned a long time ago, and when a spot opened up for me, I was promoted. Rehearsals have been excellent. I love sitting in the wheelchair for most of the show! It is a nice departure from my ensemble track as a dancer!
- Have you witnessed – or perhaps been involved in – any onstage mishaps or bloopers you’d like to share?
Oh my gosh have I ever! Spills, falls, Glinda’s bubble getting stuck, the levitator not working, flubbed lines. I have had some nasty spills of my own. The worst happening offstage where I was slipping into my monkey costume, fell of my chair, hit my eye and had an intense black eye for weeks!
- Now that the show is up and running, how often does the company have to rehearse?
It really depends. There is understudy rehearsals a couple times a month, and various cleanups for the ensemble for dance and vocals.
Neka Zang as Nessarose
- Once you began performances in “Wicked”, did you have to alter any daily habits to protect your voice and body?
Yes! Doing 8 shows a week really takes a toll on my body. I now do private pilates twice a week to keep my center really strong so I can do the show without injuring myself! I also don’t really go out on days before we have matinees so that I can save my voice. Eating healthy is also key to having lots of energy.
- Are there any dream roles that you’d like to perform one day?
I actually don’t have a dream role perse, but I love the musical “Tommy”. I would also love to dance in the show “Chicago”.
- What advice would you give to aspiring performers?
Work hard, don’t ever give up on your dreams, and have lots of luck on your side!
Exclusive Interview: Tom Flynn
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Today, we are thrilled to host an exclusive interview with Tom Flynn. Mr. Flynn is currently performing the role of Dr. Dillamond on the 1st National Tour of “Wicked”, a role which he also portrayed in the Los Angeles and San Francisco Production. Prior to this, he has also performed in several other shows, including “Juan Darién” and “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” on Broadway. Check out the interview below!
What was your first professional acting job, and how did you land it?
Right out of college, a director I had worked with cast me in an equity production of “Fiddler on the Roof” in Southern California, which lasted for 7 months. It was quite a shot right out of the gate.
What is your favorite role you’ve ever played?
Mr. Gatch in the Broadway production of “How to Succeed..” That was an incredibly fun time and fun company. Matthew Broderick was a dream to play with. Other great role was playing opposite Chita Rivera in a straight play called “Venecia,” which Arthur Laurents directed. AHHH-Mazing experience to work with both of those legends.
How did you come to audition for “Wicked” and what was the audition process like?
I saw they were casting the replacement for the tour so I wrote the casting director and also contacted my agent. I think I had a total of 4 auditions over the course of 2 months. The final audition was very high pressure with 12 creatives in the room including Joe, Stephen S., Wayne C. et al.
How long and how difficult was the initial rehearsal process for the show?
Only 2 weeks and not stressful at all.
What was your first show like? How were you feeling throughout the show – nervous, excited, scared?
I was THRILLED to be a part of Wicked and so excited and full of gratitude and high emotions on my first night. I have been in the business such a long time that I truly understand the fortune to be given a role like this in one of the biggest hits ever. I continue to love my job more than anything!
Tom Flynn as Dr. Dillamond (with Teal Wicks as Elphaba)
What is your favorite part of the show to perform?
The Classroom scene. Particularly when I alert Elphaba to the dangers in OZ. It really starts her on her journey of discovery.
What was it like to change productions of this show? Do you think it changed your performance any?
It keeps me fresh. Each company is so different and the LA company was slightly different than the San Francisco company. I am grateful for the California experience but I am infinitely happier being back on the road. It just suits my lifestyle better.
Do you have any onstage bloopers or mishaps you’ve been involved in or witnessed you’d like to share?
Early on in my Wicked tenure, I went up on my lines and panicked and had no idea what to say or do. This was during the tenure of Victoria Matlock and Christina DeCicco. No one was able to bail me out, so after what seemed like a couple of minutes (in reality, maybe 3 seconds) I screamed, “Class Dismissed.” Unfortunately, the chalkboard hadn’t been flipped yet or anything, so the audience probably had no clue what to think
Are there any dream roles you’d like to play one day?
Malvolio in “Twelfth Night,” Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol,” Hook in “Peter Pan.” Also currently, I would love to play Mr. Banks in Mary Poppins and the Father in “Billy Elliott.”
What advice would you give to aspiring performers?
Study, learn about life, all of life, not just acting. Know about art and philosophy and science and economics and math et al. The more you know, the better an actor you are. Get a degree at a University so if the business doesn’t work out for you, you have something to fall back on. Don’t be delusional. If after 2,3, 5 years at the most you haven’t gotten anywhere, haven’t gotten a professional job, aren’t making real headway and progress at making a living in this business…MOVE ON! You will be much happier.
Cast Update: San Francisco & 2nd National Tour
4San Francisco Production
Stephen J. Williams has joined the ensemble. No one has been taken off the website, so it is unknown who he replaced.
2nd National Touring Production
Billy Harrigan Tighe has replaced Charles Hagerty in the ensemble and as an understudy for Fiyero.
Alli Mauzey to Close San Francisco Production as Glinda
2Alli Mauzey (former Glinda – Broadway; s/b Glinda – Broadway) has been confirmed to be returning to the role of Glinda in the San Francisco production of “Wicked”. We posted a rumor this morning, but this article gives confirmation.
Is it True…?: Alli Mauzey
1We have heard a fairly substantial rumor that Alli Mauzey (former Glinda – Broadway; former s/b Glinda – Broadway) will be replacing Kendra Kassebaum (Glinda – San Francisco; former Glinda – Broadway, 1NT) as Glinda in San Francisco on June 29, 2010. We’ll let you know when we hear confirmed details either way.
Nicolas Dromard to Depart San Francisco Production on June 26
1Congratulations to Nicolas Dromard (Fiyero – San Francisco; former ensemble, u/s Fiyero – 1NT) for being cast in “Mary Poppins” as Bert (a role he previously understudied). He will be leaving the production on June 26 along with Eden Espinosa (Elphaba – San Francisco, former Los Angeles, Broadway; s/b Elphaba – Broadway, 1NT; u/s Nessarose – Broadway) and Kendra Kassebaum (Glinda – San Francisco, former Broadway, 1NT). Replacements have not been announced.