414 replies to this topic

[ABowlerHat]

But Rachel is basically unknown as well...

[Musicals1248]

They won't need a 'name' to sell tickets on tour anyway apart from maybe Fiyero like someone suggested. I'm sure there's a lot of people who would like to see the show but just haven't made the effort to get to London yet if they live far away. They could use Rachel's name quite well I think off the back of 2 1/2 years in London.

[Zippy]

She'd probably be the best known to the general public as that girl from the ALW reality series. I would say out of all the London Elphabas, Rachel would be the best recognised. Moreso than Kerry I think.

[Titan]

Yes Rachel is unknown to the general public, but is the best known out of the London Elphabas and the publics memory can be jogged by the reality show angle. It will do well on tour but I still think a name for Fiyero would help them, especially if they are planning long stays. It isn't as widely known or loved as les mis, phantom, the lion king etc

[wickedlover]

And the general publics memory of Kerry will probably only be a few spots advertising her album a few years ago, and the episode of The Voice, when she just kept saying 'why didn't you turn around'

Rachel went far enough in I'd Do Anything to be remembered by the public.

And with most tours, I think Fiyero will be either a previous understudy, or talent show hopeful...I think Niall Sheehy could be in the running.

[poster J]

Why would they need a name for Fiyero if they don't for Elphaba or Glinda??

I'd agree that Rachel is the best known of the London Elphabas, not necessarily because of Wicked (though she's performed on TV quite a lot over the past few years), but because they can use the former reality TV show contestant angle.  Add to that the fact that she's got so much experience of the role, and there are plenty of reasons why it would make sense to ask her to open the tour.

[Titan]

Because its an easy part to stunt cast, elphaba and glinda are not. Fiyero isn't a big sing or an especially tough acting role. It is a handsome pretty boy role, ideal to attract the female market, which would be wickeds core audience.

[Zippy]

I would agree that they probably do need some pretty boy actor to stunt cast Fiyero, someone who they can also use to do the tv publicity appearances. The role doesn't require a very good singer, just some eye candy.

[DanielWhit]

 ABowlerHat, on 28 August 2012 - 10:50 AM, said:

But Rachel is basically unknown as well...

She can still easily enough be bigged up as "from I'd Do Anything".

[DanielWhit]

 wickedlover, on 28 August 2012 - 11:30 AM, said:

And with most tours, I think Fiyero will be either a previous understudy, or talent show hopeful...I think Niall Sheehy could be in the running.

That could work, but I guess it depends how serious ALW was about him being a good potential Raoul etc and whether he could be slipped into the POTO cast next Autumn.