So far, I've heard Carmen Cusack and Kendra Kassebaum will be taking over as Elphaba and Glinda. Not surprisingly, there is absolutely no evidence that I have found, although they have both left their respective productions at the same time. Apparently, there's an interview with Cusack on Ytb in which she confirms her part, but after trawling and trawling, I can't find it. However, I think that with Kerry's transfer over the pond, the concept of US principals could be a bit of lazy rumour-milling (like the constant, brainless b*ll*cks people are talking about Joseph), and I reckon if they were going for a bit of US action, it's unlikely they'd take the two most important roles.

What do we reckon? Anyone heard anything different?

It is only November! May is a long way away. I doubt they have even started to consider who they might invite to stay from the current cast!

I'm quite aware of what month it is. I realise it's early, but I reckon with the show being as popular as it is and a full-on cast overhaul in the distance, I thought the gossip would have been flying around by now. Perhaps the fans are currently too excited about Kerry Ellis coming back to have even thought too hard about it.

I think it's pretty easy to guess who's staying, and a few I know are going for sure. I know Dianne Pilkington, Oliver Tompsett and Des Barrit are going (Barrit was a surprise to me), and I reckon it's fairly safe to assume Kerry Ellis will go, seeing as she's been in the role since she was ten and she is now 43. I just thought that seeing as the rumours have started so slowly, I might nose around for any more info.

Although why I'm explaining myself to you, I really have no idea.

Your post is rude, obnoxious and unfunny. Do you seriously think people will want to share information with you if you have an attitude like that?

6 months is a very long time to be talking about casting for a show. It may well be closed by then!

Well they were holding auditions at the Urdang Academy in London a couple of weeks ago, so they probably are making those decisions at the moment. These things tend to happen quite far in advance of a cast change, as the audition process can take a long time, especially for a show like Wicked where they seem to be quite particular about te sort of 'look' they want, etc. Also, cast members often take a while to decide whether they're going to stay or leave; eg, they might be waiting to hear about another job they've auditioned for before they make their decision. I've known people to wait for AGES to find out about a job, only to find out that the person they were going to replace had decided to stay on

Anyway, slightly off-topic but I'm bored at work.....

If we are speculating; I think we'll have a totally fresh Glinda. I don't think Sarah will stay to move up and if Caroline gets offered it I don't think she'd stay either. Elphaba; Ashleigh said to someone last time I was there that she has no idea whats going on but if she's offered it full time, she'd LOVE to do it. Obviously Alexia could come back if she was offered it, I'm not sure if she would take that offer up though as she has an album coming out in the next year or so. If we get a brand new Elphaba, I will be suprised to be honest.

I think a lot of this ensemble will stay on as it's a good show for ensemble to work in.

If we do indeed get Kendra and Carmen we are in for a treat! They are both great!

wow, sorry mum!!! time of the month???

I heard somewhere that Rachel Wooding might be glinda but thats probably rubbish and it was ages ago anyway. Other than that nothing but I'll come back if i here anything else

As much as I love Kendra (Carmen not so much), I would much rather have a british Glinda/Elphie...

Well some of us found it funny!

I totally agree. For one, even if the Cusack/Kassebaum rumours have any substance, I reckon it's unlikely they'd go for two US principals. Plus, as exciting as it would be to have Carmen Cusack over here, the whole US Elphie thing was kind of done with Idina. I reckon it's time for someone new. I know it sounds mean, but I wouldn't like to see Ashleigh Gray step up. She's great and I'm sure she'd grow into the role but I don't think she has the diction or power.

And Rachael Wooding... I heard that too and I'd completely forgotten about it. I think I heard that one when the Hairspray cast change was announced. Come to think of it, that cast change didn't come to much as most of them stayed on. It's a shame that isn't happening for Wicked... I love this cast.


Oh, and...

Your post is rude, obnoxious and unfunny. Do you seriously think people will want to share information with you if you have an attitude like that?

Thank you to those who have been willing to share information. I don't mean to offend anyone, I just don't think a discussion board is a place where I should tread carefully or mince my words. It's not a fan club people, say what you think! Anyway, thanks again.

It wouldn't surprise me if one of them came over - wasn't Kerry on an Equity Exchange? Would make sense if a US Wicked star coming over here were the other half of that.




Offensive, actually.

I thought that, but then it occurred to me that Kerry going over there may have been a response to Idina doing it over here. Hmmmm.

I think Kerry's exchange wasn't sorted out until spring of this year (2008) - for some reason I have in the back of my mind that the NY folks saw her perform here in 2007 and only then offered a Broadway stint. So not related to Idina Menzel's London trip (...I think).

I love Ashleigh and don't mind if she gets promoted BUT I think doing it would ruin her voice. She seems to crack a lot of the time anyway so I'm not sure if she's the best vocally. I think her acting is spot on however.

I wouldnt mind having Kendra and Carmen over in a couple of years but not now. I want to see another set of British Elphaba/Glinda first.

Good call. Wicked's huge right now and I think even that's reason enough to get some new people in. However, it seems to me that Kassebaum is a bit more established as Glinda than Cusack is as Elphie, so it may be a good idea to get her over to see in the new London cast. This cast change is going to be massive and bringing her in would keep the fans interested when the majority of a popular cast have gone. Not that they wouldn't still be interested, of course, but just to play it safe. I think in that sense, Wicked is the only show I can think of that has a following so big that they can just import a performer from another production and instantly have a 'name'.

i thought it was quite funny actually.

Thanks

Given Wicked's habit at recycling cast members in other productions of the show it wouldn't surpise me if the next Glinda and Elphaba had played the role previously in another prodction. Take Eden Espinosa for example, she's just rejoined the Wicked LA production to make it her 4th stint as Elphaba and Megan hilty has also gone back into Wicked for her 4th stint as Glinda.

Megan Hilty's on her fourth go in LA too! Probably to end that run on a high. Will LA be the first show to close? That last performance will be insane.

Yep. Actually technically this is Eden's 5th stint as Elphaba.

There are quite a few other Elphaba's and Galindas that have reprised their roles in more than one production of Wicked.

You can understand why they keep going back though; Elphaba and Glinda are two of the most challenging characters to play in Musical Theatre and also two of the most interesting.

Or it's the money they get offered.

Well that probably factors in too but it's also hard to let a character that great go. I mean what can you possibly do after Wicked that would challenge you vocally and acting wise that would be as challenging. I totally understand why they keep going back. I think I'd be the same.

Someone on my LJ friends has just updated quoting someone who claims that Kendra confirmed that she'd be going into the London production as Elphaba. But as she's posted no source, I have no idea where she got it from which means I have no idea if it's credible or not. But I highly doubt it.

- ETA - Wikipedia is the source so take it with a pinch of salt.

"I mean what can you possibly do after Wicked that would challenge you vocally and acting wise that would be as challenging."

There are quite a few others. Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady and Kunigendo in Candide spring to mind. Mama Rose in Gypsy. Those are just at the top of my head, there are several more. The lead in Caroline or Change - extremely demanding.

But they aren't as current as Wicked. I'm not saying that should matter but I think the "hype" around Wicked is probably another reason that they keep coming back.

There's the challenge to role presents, but there's also the following, the adoration and the atmosphere. Plus those songs sound like so much fun to sing. The roles seem to have a lot of give to them as well, and performers can really play around with them. I mean, look at Julia Murney. She brought to the role a lot of the darkness from the book, whereas Kerry Ellis plays a more mischievous Elphie. And the 'riffs' as they're called (I hate using fan slang) can often mean one Elphaba's Defying Gravity compared to another's can sound like a completely different song.

Word to all of that.

I just can't wait for some REAL fresh blood in London. I'd LOVE for Alexia to come back more than anyone but I think it would be nice to have a completely new cast. And I can't wait for a new Glinda. Even though I adore Sarah and Dianne, I think it's the right time for them both to move on.

Eden's gone back?
Oh my gosh lucky LA people! She's my favourite elphie to listen to! Would love to have her come to London!!

Yeah, her and Megan Hilty have gone back to see out the LA show. I'd love to see Eden over here in Wicked as well.

Those auditions were for the German production, not London.

Wicked London recast auditions generally start around February time. Though I fully appreciate they could well be talking to people about the lead roles now.

I bought a ticket for one of Dianne's days off hoping to see Carolin Keiff as Glinda, do you think it might not be her but this Sarah girl? I don't know much about those things.

Caroline is only the understudy so Sarah, who is the standby, will be on unless she is ill on the day. I wouldn't be too disappointed though; Sarah is amazing in the role.

Oh, OK, thanks for explaining that to me!
Still I can't help being a bit sad, I fantasized about Caroline as Glinda even before knowing that it was an actual possibility. I guess my chances of ever seeing that happening have become thin now, especially considering that Kerry Ellis being back might reduce the show's appeal for me. Oh well..

All i have to say is Caroline Keiff is Amazing as Glinda! Anyone who has managed to see her in this role are lucky!! Shes phenominal!

I would love Carmen to play Elphaba here in London. having seen her on youtube she gives kerry a run for her money. I wonder if Liam gets the part of Fiyero. He's so cute and what a voice. Or maybe Daniel Boys. Avenue Q finishes in March so he could play it. not seen him In it but here he's great. Would love to hear him sing dancing throgh life. He was my favourite Joseph, Diane hpefully will stay on. I love that girl.

I saw her in the role the 1st time I saw the show....and she was amazing as Glinda.

If Liam gets the role of Fiyero I might cry. He's got an amazing voice.. I just didnt feel his acting was right for the role and dare I say it, he was a little wooden. I feel that might have to do with his age though.

I'd LOVE to see Caroline as Glinda. She's amazing as Nessa and was amazing in ensemble so have no doubt she'd be phenominal in the role.

I reckon Caroline Keiff should stay where she is. I can't even remember who played Nessa the first few times I saw it, the part seemed so marginal and forgettable, but when I first saw her do it, I was blown away. She was a real revelation and she gives the role the strength it deserves. I think I might find her playing Glinda a bit distracting, but then again, I haven't seen her do it before.

If not Kendra Kassebaum, I'd like to see someone new.

If she stays she will have been there for over three years. I think it's time for her to move on and do other things. We shall see though.

I don't actually think that Caroline is even understudying Glinda anymore. She gave that up when she became Nessa this year. She went on a little while ago, because Sarah was on holiday and the actual understudy wasn't ready yet as she'd been out of the show for a few month with an injury, so Caroline stepped in when Dianne got sick.

I really disliked Dianne's Glinda when she used that high pitched voice (which she thankfully dropped, so I can actually enjoy her performance now) and the only Glinda I dislike more than Dianne's high-pitched version was Kendra. I saw her a couple of years ago with Julia on Broadway and dislike is too mild a word for my opinion of her Glinda. She just played her like a complete airhead and was highly annoying. That was a couple of years ago though, so maybe she has changed her interpretation.

I also hope that Kerry leaves, I am not keen on her Elphie and I think it is time for her to move on to other things. She seemed very bored with it before she left for Broadway, so a completely fresh, unrecycled Glinda and Elphie would definitely be great IMO.

'If Liam gets the role of Fiyero I might cry. He's got an amazing voice.. I just didnt feel his acting was right for the role and dare I say it, he was a little wooden. I feel that might have to do with his age though'

Ive not seen him but surely he cant be any worse than Oliver Thompsett who has a great voice but is so wooden when he acts!

Daniel Boys would be an interesting choice

Caroline was moved back up after the incident with the official understudy (it's on the website). I'm not even sure if Pippa is even in the cast anymore; I haven't seen her on once in the last couple of months.

I love Dianne but much prefer her without her "Glinda voice". I hope that doesn't reappear along with Kerry.

Nothing has been confirmed about Carmen at present. She is currently resting after the us tour. She not under contract and may take on other roles

Pippa Lloyd has been performing in the show since September (give or take her illness/holiday entitlement), and is now officially back as the 2nd understudy to Glinda, thus relieving Caroline Keiff of her duties.

JP

It must have been late September then cos I saw Caroline as Glinda when I went on 27th September

Really? How strange I haven't seen her since then. And I'm not sure why they changed Caroline's page to state that she was u/s Glinda after September :S

These rumours are rubbish, Pippa Ailion wont have even thought about any changes, particularly with Kerry Ellis returning to the role in December

The website isn't always that accurate. Tim Walton (IMO the best Wizard London's had) is back in the cast and he isn't mentioned on the website either.
Pippa was back in the cast when Caroline went on in September, but she wasn't ready to go on as Glinda yet, which is why Caroline went on, at least that is what I got told.