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Kristin Chenoweth. There is only one word that can describe Kristin’s performance in this show: PERFECT. She is really just unbelievable. She brings a sweetness and heart to a character that could go too much towards charicature in the first act, and she has some really touching, more dramatic moments in the second half. Plus there’s her beautiful, pure voice – if she doesn’t win some kind of award for this performance, it will be an outrage! Find out more about Kristin at Kristin Chenoweth Online. |
| Idina Menzel. I’d heard a lot about Idina before this show, but this was my first chance to see her for myself, and she really, really impressed me! Elphaba has a lot of the heavier moments of the show, which she handles perfectly, and she really makes the audience care about this character. Her voice contrasts with Kristin’s wonderfully. Count me as a new fan! Visit Idina Menzel: Official Website for more information. |  |
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Stephanie Block. Considering the role was practically written for her, it shouldn’t come as any great surprise that Stephanie is a wonderful Elphaba! She’s got a great belting voice, and a real sensitivity in her portrayal of this complicated character. I loved Idina in the role, but there was no let down to see Stephanie either! You can visit her official website for much more! |
| Norbert Leo Butz. Okay, Fiyero’s not a particularly well-developed role, but I thought that Norbert did a great job with what he had to work with! He has an easy charm that made the character believable on his first appearance, and then an intensity that made the transition in his outlook easier to accept. I love his voice, so it was great to get to hear him sing live. You can learn a bit more at Norbert Leo Butz Online. |  |
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Joel Grey. It’s not very often you get to see a Broadway legend! It seems to me they were casting a bit against type here, because Joel is so likeable, and the Wizard’s songs are so cheery, when in reality, he’s not really a nice man! And I thought he did a great job of conveying both sides of the character. Check out the Internet Movie Database for more on his career. |
| Carole Shelley. This is another fantastic actor with a huge body of work behind her. I’d had the pleasure of seeing her in Cabaret, and her work in Wicked is equally as good. She is properly authoritative and even frightening at times. And after seeing someone else in the role, I appreciate Carole’s interpretation even more! |  |