Fan Interviews

Hey guys - I need a few more people to do Fan Interviews for me. The requirement is just that you've seen at least three people as Elphaba and Glinda. If you'll be willing to do one for me, please email me at iwevans@bellsouth.net to recieve the questionnaire.

For those who complete a fan interview between now and February 10, 2009, I will be offering one randomly selected $30 giftcard to ticketmaster.com or Playbillstore.com - winner's choice! Those who have already interviewed will be added to the drawing as well.

Cast Update: 2nd National Tour

The second national tour has had a couple of major turnovers that I will be putting below. Check them out! Let me know please if you like this new format. Bios are screencapped from the official website.

Don Amendolia has replaced Tom McGowan as The Wizard.
Zach Hanna has replaced Ted Ely as Boq.
Michael Drolet has replaced Zach Hanna as Ensemble; u/s Boq.
Ryan Jackson has replaced Nicki Vendetti as Swing; u/s Chistrey.

New Bios are below!

Fan Interview: Jessica

Jessica, who has seen the show twelve times between three productions (Broadway, Chicago, 1st National Tour) has agreed to join us for a fan interview. She is from Iowa and first saw the show on February 5, 2004 on Broadway and last saw the show on April 5, 2009 on Broadway. Check out her very well thought out interview below!

Who is your favorite Elphaba and why?

It's a tie between Idina Menzel and Lisa Brescia. Idina is the embodiment of Elphaba to me. The voice, awkwardness, vulnerability, and fierceness add up to near perfection. Lisa's Elphaba is the one that touched my heart the most because she brought so much depth and light to the character. If I had to choose just one, I'd choose Idina,

Who is your favorite Glinda and why?

Kristin Chenoweth. Her beautiful voice, seemingly effortless comic timing, and powerful performance was a pure joy to watch. She is the embodiment of Glinda to me.

Which Elphie/Glinda pair do you think has the best chemistry?

Idina and Kristin by a landslide. Their chemistry was the most magical thing I've witnessed in Wicked.

What other standouts have you seen in other principal roles? What about ensemble?

Katie Rose Clarke is the best Glinda I've seen in terms of acting. She's so gifted. I had the pleasure of seeing the full OBC and they were all incredible and are still my favorite cast. Some others are Kate Reinders as Glinda, Rondi Reed and Alma Cuervo as Madame Morrible, Lenny Wolpe and Lee Wilkof as the Wizard, Deedee Magno Hall and Jenna Leigh Green as Nessarose. Some ensemble members who stood out are Kathy Deitch, Sara Jean Ford, Celisse Henderson, and Cristin Boyle.

Who are some standout understudies you have seen?

Laura Bell Bundy as Glinda; Lisa Brescia, Eden Espinosa (even though I only her her in Act 2) as Elphaba.

Who is the nicest person you have met at the stagedoor?

They were all gracious, but Lisa Brescia really stood out to me because she seemed more genuinely appreciative than anyone else. Her kindness meant so much to me.

What was your favorite time seeing the show?

My first time. Everything was fresh and new to me.

Other than Wicked, what are some of your favorite shows?

next to normal, The Light in the Piazza, Hairspray.

Which "Wicked" alumni/current cast member's work outside of "Wicked" do you admire most?

Idina Menzel. I love her three CDs, I've been to two of her concerts, and I think she's an excellent songwriter.

PHOTO: Jessica with Lisa Brescia (Elphaba in Chicago; s/b for Elphaba on Broadway)

Video Footage: Stephanie Torns & Stefanie Brown at Barnes & Noble

Stephanie Torns sang "The Wizard and I" at a Barnes & Noble event for the release of the "Wicked" pop up book. Her ending is available on YouTube, embedded below. Listen for the beautiful spin vibrato on "Oz's favorite team!" - Wow, what a voice!



Stephanie Torns & Stefanie Brown sang "For Good" as well. Here's a clip from that!

Media: Nicolas Dromard in "Wicked"

The official website of Nicolas Dromard (current Fiyero in San Francisco; former Ensemble u/s Fiyero on 1st National Tour) has several audio and video clips of him in shows, including "Wicked". Check them out at the links below!

Audio Clips

Nicolas Dromard being Scarecrowed; Jeremy Kocal being Tin Manned

Cast Updates: Broadway Cast

Brenda Hamilton has joined the cast. She is a super swing (one who travels between productions), so this is probably not permanent, especially considering no one left for her to replace.

Brenda Hamilton (Swing; u/s Midwife) Thrilled to be in Wicked. Equity Tours: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Some Like It Hot. Regional: A Chorus Line (Paper Mill Playhouse) and Joseph... (North Carolina Theater) Thanks Telsey and Clear Talent! Love to Family and Bffy!

Bryan West has replaced Kyle Dean Massey as Ensemble; u/s Fiyero. No bio is avaliable because it is messed up on the official "Wicked" site.

Broadway Buzz Interview: Kristin Chenoweth

Broadway Buzz has done an interview with Kristin Chenoweth (Original Broadway Cast Glinda). Check it out here!

She also mentions that if it is done correctly, she would consider returning for an anniversary concert.

PHOTO: Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda

Remember That Time...?: Dianne Pilkington

Remember that time when Dianne Pilkington was doing one of her first performances as Glinda and she accidentally threw the wand out into the audience during "Popular"?

Fan Interview: Alyssa C.

Alyssa C. is the subject of this, our second fan interview. She has seen the show six times (with a seventh time in March 2010) between Broadway and the Tour, but she has seen a wide variety of people in the show between August 2004 and March 2009. Read this Connecticut native's interview below!

Who is your favorite Elphaba and why?
It would have to be a tie between Lisa Brescia and Nicole Parker. I have seen both of them live and each just touched me so deeply with their portrayal of such a misunderstood, passionate woman. Lisa has a clean, lovely voice and her acting choices were very much spot-on. Nicole's greatest strength is in her acting choices and the expression of emotions (her eyes told the story.) Also, getting to meet both ladies after the show was an extra treat!

Who is your favorite Glinda and why?
Jennifer Laura Thompson. She was my first (and second) Glinda and will always be the most special to me. She played the role with just the right amount of subtlety and comedic timing. It was one of the many things I admired about her!

Which Elphie/Glinda pair do you think has the best chemistry?
Honestly, each pairing has been so uniquely different. It is what keeps the magic alive for this show. However, if I truly had to decide, it would be between Carmen Cusack/Katie Rose Clarke and Julia Murney/Kendra Kassebaum.

What other standouts have you seen in other principal roles? What about ensemble?
Joey McIntyre as Fiyero was a personal favorite. I also very much enjoyed Deedee Magno Hall as Nessarose. David Garrison and PJ Benjamin are my favorites in the role of the Wizard. I have also had the pleasure of seeing Carole Shelley twice as Madame Morrible.

Who are some standout understudies you have seen?
The only understudy I have seen was when Michael DeVries was on for the Wizard.

Who is the nicest person you have met at the stagedoor?
I have met so many wonderful and gracious people at my experiences with Wicked. But, hands down, Nicole Parker gets the vote here. Truly the most patient and giving soul when it comes to the fans!

What was your favorite time seeing the show?
March 2009. I saw Nicole Parker and Alli Mauzey and not only did they give a great performance, they were such dolls after the show as well. Also, this particular day was the day my dream came true: I got to stand on the stage at the Gershwin Thearte! It was the most magical, moving experience getting to stand up there and talk for a few minutes with Nicole. I truly appreciate and love everyone involved in this show!

Other than Wicked, what are some of your favorite shows?
While it is not technically Broadway, I am a big fan of the “Cirque du Soleil” shows. I saw one of their shows called Alegria over the summer and it was just fabulous. The performers are amazing and can move their bodies in ways unimaginable! I will be seeing another show called Wintuk this December at Madison Square Garden and I cannot wait!

Which "Wicked" alumni/current cast member's work outside of "Wicked" do you admire most?
Stephanie J Block. She has proven to be a true star in just about everything she does (be it theatre or her solo CD.) I got to meet her back in 2007 at Pirate Queen, and she was so genuine and kind!

PHOTO: Alyssa on stage at the Gerswin Theatre with Alli Mauzey (Glinda)

Exclusive Interview: Stephanie Torns

We are proud to post our first exclusive "Wicked" cast member interview - with Ms. Stephanie Torns, who is in the ensemble and understudies Elphaba on the 1st National Tour of "Wicked". If you see the first national tour and she's not playing Elphaba, you'll hear her singing "No one cries they won't return" in "No One Mourns the Wicked" and "I hear that she can shed her skin as easily as a snake!" in "Thank Goodness!" We appreciate Stephanie being kind enough to give us this interview and wish her the best in performances to come!

What was your first professional acting job, and how did you land it?
-My first professional acting job out of college was "The Producers" in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

How did you come to audition for “Wicked” and what was the audition process like?
-Well I know from talking with others, that everyones story on this is COMPLETELY different, but for me I went in a total of five times within one year and just performed the Elphaba material over and over again. The fifth audition was a dance audition as well to see if I can do the ensemble movement..and an hour later I got the call! :)

How long and how difficult was the initial rehearsal process for the show?
-It was a total of about two and a half weeks. It was a bit strange for me because I've never joined a show that's been up and running already, so when you learn the show it's just you by yourself with the dance captain. So it was a little scary in the sense that you just have to really know your numbers on the stage so you don't cause any problems with the show. Then I had my dress rehearsal which is called a "put in" and its you and the entire company running the show but only you are in costume and everyone else is in street clothes. Then I went on that night!

What was your first show like? How were you feeling throughout the show - nervous, excited, scared?
-My first show was extremelyyyyy scary/fun/and wonderful all at the same time! It went actually really smoothly, and nothing terrible happened so it was a check plus in my book! :)

What is your favorite costume in the ensemble and as Elphaba?
-Hmmmm my favorite costume for my ensemble track is my Ozdust ballroom black and white dress! For Elphaba, it's definitely the second act dress it's just soooo unbelievably beautiful.

How was the initial rehearsal process for Elphaba, and what was your first performance like?
-Well once I was put into the show for my ensemble track, we immediately started the Elphaba material. Rehearsal process for this was very fun and ALOT of information thrown at you to learn. My first performance on was in Appleton, Wisconsin and it was a complete outer body experience!! But my family was out there so I knew they would be proud no matter what! :) Of course every show after that I am able to enjoy myself out there and not be as nervous!

What is your favorite song or scene to perform in the ensemble and as Elphaba, and why?
-My favorite song to sing in the ensemble is the opening of the show because it's just such a wonderful way to bring the audience into the story of what just happened. My favorite scene is either Dancing Through Life or Ozdust because we get to have so much fun up there and enjoy one another. For Elphaba my favorite song to sing is Defying Gravity because it's the climax of the show for her and the lyrics are just so moving to me. My favorite scene has got to be the cat fight scene!! It shows both women in different ways, because it has strength and laughter all at once.

Do you have any onstage bloopers or mishaps you’ve been involved in or witnessed you’d like to share?
-Oh my. Well there are A LOT of things that happen sometimes, but I would say its ALWAYS funny to see someone wipe out in the opening. I've done it twice and so have many other people.

Which is more exhausting: all of the dancing and heavy singing of the ensemble or the intensive acting and singing of Elphaba?
-Well both are very demanding, but I would have to say going on as Elphaba. I think I've gotten use to my ensemble track by now, so my body and voice just have adjusted. I don't get to go on as Elphaba as often so when I do, I think my adrenaline kicks my butt a bit! ;)

Are there any dream roles you’d like to play one day?
-Well truth be told, ever since high school, I've always wanted to play Elphaba one day. It was truly my dream role! It still hasn't actually hit me that I get to do my dream, but it is a wonderful feeling that I am extremely thankful for! :)

What advice would you give to aspiring performers?
-Never give up. This business is a lot of rejection, and you just have to believe in yourself and your dreams and just learn from all of your experiences. I'm a true believe that everything happens for a reason!

We thank Ms. Torns again for her time and wish her the best! To the readers - keep watching for two more exclusive interviews headed your way very soon!