6811 replies to this topic

[poster J]

Sam4God, on 06 July 2012 - 06:26 PM, said:

Elphaba is a much more demanding role than any of those.

I'm sorry, but Elphaba is at most on a par with the Phantom and Valjean, and I'd be inclined to say that the latter 2 are actually harder.  Les Mis, as has already been pointed out, is sung through, and the emotional weight of the show is carried by Valjean.  Playing the Phantom requires a lot of agility, and some exquisite acting to make the audience have any sympathy for the character at all.  In Wicked, the storyline itself helps to start the sympathy for the character, and while the songs are vocally demanding, and a great actress can make a lot out of the role, it's not on the same level of serious character acting as Les Mis or Phantom.

[Musicals1248]

Sam4God, on 06 July 2012 - 06:23 PM, said:

It has nothing to do with her not being my favourite Elphie, she's actually one of my favourites (out of the 8 I've seen)... I just think cuz she's played it for SO long in London now (longer than Kerry did I believe), it's simply unlikely they'd ask her to continue in the role (on Broadway!)... It can't be good for her voice; even after a couple years, she's recently had to miss a show every week to avoid damaging her voice. She's definitely a popular Elphaba, and deservedly so! That doesn't automatically mean she'll be asked to do the show on Broadway. I still believe there's almost 0% chance of that happening. But if it does, I'll be happy for her

Exactly. She's already had over 2 years of playing the role in the West End. Why would she accept to do the tour? Again, I just can't see it. I personally think Rachel's talent shouldn't be limited to Elphaba. I'd love to see her in other things.

Oh yes, I didn't mean she should be automatically asked, just that she has every chance as much as Kerry was. Sorry, for some reason I had it in my head you weren't a fan of hers (no idea why!) so thought you were basing your opinion on that I agree it would be very demanding on her voice so not a likely move soon after leaving London. In the future...who knows? But I'd also love to see her do new things!

I know it's more or less confirmed anyway that she's leaving but I hope Wicked do an official announcement soon (with the rest of the cast as well). Do they normally announce who is leaving at CC and who is taking over separately or in 1 announcement?

[DanielWhit]

poster J, on 06 July 2012 - 09:50 PM, said:

I'm sorry, but Elphaba is at most on a par with the Phantom and Valjean, and I'd be inclined to say that the latter 2 are actually harder.  Les Mis, as has already been pointed out, is sung through, and the emotional weight of the show is carried by Valjean.  Playing the Phantom requires a lot of agility, and some exquisite acting to make the audience have any sympathy for the character at all.  In Wicked, the storyline itself helps to start the sympathy for the character, and while the songs are vocally demanding, and a great actress can make a lot out of the role, it's not on the same level of serious character acting as Les Mis or Phantom.

This is like comparing cheese with apples due to the different voices involved however the Elphaba sing is possibly slightly tougher than Phantom, I'd say - but definitely not as demanding as Valjean is. Acting wise, Phantom is tougher than Elphaba.

Musicals1248, on 06 July 2012 - 10:09 PM, said:

I know it's more or less confirmed anyway that she's leaving but I hope Wicked do an official announcement soon (with the rest of the cast as well). Do they normally announce who is leaving at CC and who is taking over separately or in 1 announcement?

Depends - but generally they announce the new principal 8 before the new ensemble. Sometimes they announce who's staying/going from those 8 first, I guess it just comes down to when the dotted line is signed for the actors involved.

[Sam4God]

poster J, on 06 July 2012 - 09:50 PM, said:

I'm sorry, but Elphaba is at most on a par with the Phantom and Valjean, and I'd be inclined to say that the latter 2 are actually harder.  Les Mis, as has already been pointed out, is sung through, and the emotional weight of the show is carried by Valjean.  Playing the Phantom requires a lot of agility, and some exquisite acting to make the audience have any sympathy for the character at all.  In Wicked, the storyline itself helps to start the sympathy for the character, and while the songs are vocally demanding, and a great actress can make a lot out of the role, it's not on the same level of serious character acting as Les Mis or Phantom.

I would disagree with Phantom being as demanding as Elphaba, but as I said in my reply in the previous page... Yes, I'd definitely put JVJ on the same level as Elphaba. Not higher, not lower. Both the same.

[isabel]

I guess by the end of this month they'll have made an announcement about Rachel. Bu may be sometime before we hear about the new cast. ( It was announced Louise was leaving way way before they announced Gina was taking over)

[Titan]

Exactly Daniel, its not just the singing that makes a part demanding, which is why Phantom is still a demanding role. Its not (just the singing) its the acting and the physicality of the role.

Elphaba is a much lighter role in terms of acting and physicality.  The difficulty comes in the handful of belting songs which are tough, no denying.  Valjean has all three which makes it one of the most difficult overall.  The only other female role I can think of at present in London that could compete with Elphaba is Christine in Phantom

[Sam4God]

Titan, on 07 July 2012 - 01:33 PM, said:

Exactly Daniel, its not just the singing that makes a part demanding, which is why Phantom is still a demanding role. Its not (just the singing) its the acting and the physicality of the role.

Elphaba is a much lighter role in terms of acting and physicality.  The difficulty comes in the handful of belting songs which are tough, no denying.  Valjean has all three which makes it one of the most difficult overall.  The only other female role I can think of at present in London that could compete with Elphaba is Christine in Phantom

Bringing me back to my original point which was saying Rachel Tucker probably shouldn't and wouldn't want to continue as Elphaba when it can potentially damage her voice.

[isabel]

I'm not so sure now Rachel is leaving ...Some people at Wicked today seem very very happy about something.

If she ends up staying i'll have wasted my CC ticket !

[Musicals1248]

Knowing Wicked fans, they could literally be happy about anything! I'm 99% sure she is leaving based on what she said in that interview not so long ago But I'll happily be proved wrong!

[isabel]

Musicals1248, on 07 July 2012 - 05:02 PM, said:

Knowing Wicked fans, they could literally be happy about anything! I'm 99% sure she is leaving based on what she said in that interview not so long ago But I'll happily be proved wrong!

Assuming Rachel has told them she's staying, surely the producers can't be far away from making a public announcement ?
And i really think it's time Rachel goes .. Can't imagine her carrying on uintil August 2013, however much she loves this role