Wicked
Earlier this month, Dan and I saw Wicked at the Bushnell in Hartford. I was lucky enough to see the show again with my sister Stacy. It was fantastic! If you have the opportunity to see the show, I greatly encourage it. And if you are fortunate to see Stephanie J. Block play Elphaba, you absolutely have to go!
For those of you who have never heard of the show, it’s based on the book Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire. It’s the story of Elphaba (the green witch) and Glinda (the “good” witch) and how their paths crossed as young women. This tour did an excellent job- there was a good mix of drama with comedic releif and the music was wonderfully performed.
Stephanie J. Block is the best singer I have heard in theater. Her passion resenates in her performance, and I absolutely loved watching her play Elphaba. I would definitely see her in any play that comes to town again.
In the first show that I saw, Fiyero was played by Cliffton Hall, an understudy. I saw the regular Fiyero, Derrick Williams, in the sencond show. I must say that I was more impressed with the understudy. Williams spoke too quickly so you couldn’t understand some of his lines. He also added a flair to the character that I didn’t think quite fit in, but he was a good singer.
Comment from Lindsey Rogers on April 1, 2006 at 12:04 PM
I saw Wicked in Philly on March 24, and Fiyero was played by understudy Cliffton Hall. Not only did Clifton have the looks of aprince but he had the style. His voice was perfect with Maria Eberline (The understudy who played Elphaba). I would have to agree with you about how exellent the tour has been doing. I loved the Show and would love to see it again.
Lindsey
Comment from Julia on October 10, 2006 at 4:13 PM
Just recently on October 7th i saw Wicked in Toronto for its second showing. It was the best musical I have ever seen and I'm guessing the best one i will ever see. I saw Cliffton Hall as Fiyero and he was AMAZING! I also saw Shoshana Bean as Elphaba and Megan Hilty as Glinda. The entire cast was awesome and the props were amazing. If you ever have the chance to see this musical TAKE IT! It's awesome!!
-Julia
Comment from Elle on November 8, 2006 at 10:57 AM
I, too, saw Wicked quite recently - just this passed Sunday in Toronto. And it was SPECTACULAR. The best musical I have ever seen and I hope to see it again soon (I encourage you all to see it, you're missing out!)
I, too, saw Cliffton Hall play Fiyero, Shoshana and Megan as Elphaba and Glinda and I thought they were perfect together. Megan was a superb Glinda, Elphaba fit the part to a T and can defnitely SING, and Cliffton was SUCH a prince (amazing chemistry with Shosh). I loved it, I've been going ga-ga over it since the performance. haha.
It's an awesome production - go see it!
Comment from Amy on December 21, 2006 at 7:37 PM
i just saw this performance and i agree with everyone! it was wonderful! i saw cliffton, shoshana and megan! megan and shoshana sang wonderfully together (i would almost say better than the recorderd versions i've heard) and cliffton was amazing and rather fitting for fiyero. the adjustments that didn't match the book were fitting for a musical that children were watching as well. i'd go see it again!
Comment from taylor jarzabek on January 3, 2007 at 6:52 PM
i saw wicked recently in toronto nd i loved it. The music was ausome ans my cast was amasing. for fiyero i had cliffton hall and his voice was also ausome. i thought it was weired how he changed fast because one second he was like a playgirl modle(male version of playboy) and then started to care 4 the environment and fell in love with someone green. the music in wicked was not as catchy as other musicals i have seen but really good, i really wanted to see it again and cuz i knew it was leaving in 2 weks i knew i couldn't so i made my rents spend $100 on tee shirts and a C.D. overall i would love 2 c wicked again and mabey with a different cast so i could compair.wicked was definately the best musical i have ever seen and if it was always in toronto i would c it 4 times a year
Comment from taylor jarzabek on January 3, 2007 at 6:53 PM
The music was ausome and my cast was amasing. for fiyero i had cliffton hall and his voice was also ausome. i thought it was weired how he changed fast because one second he was like a playgirl modle(male version of playboy) and then started to care 4 the environment and fell in love with someone green. the music in wicked was not as catchy as other musicals i have seen but really good, i really wanted to see it again and cuz i knew it was leaving in 2 weks i knew i couldn't . overall i would love 2 c wicked again and mabey with a different cast so i could compair.wicked was definately the best musical i have ever seen and if it was always in toronto i would c it 4 times a year
Comment from kathryn rumsfeld on January 15, 2007 at 1:54 AM
I just saw wicked w/Christina DeCicco as Glinda, Victoria Matlock as Elphie, Cliffton Hall as Fiyero and his wife Deedee Magno Hall as Nessarose. I absolutely loved it.. Elphaba's voice was incredible, and Christina DeCicco had a lovely voice too... she sounded just like Kristin Chenoweth minus the nasaly-ness. Cliffton Hall was my favorite though... his voice was not only amazing, but I loved how his character changed throughout the show, and he was ruggedly handsome so that helped too. Overall it was just a great show & I loved it.
Comment from Emily on February 3, 2007 at 5:53 PM
I saw it in Baltimore on Tuesday. I was COMPLETELY BLOWN AWAY! Clifton is....amazing. I couldn't believe the chemistry he had with Victoria Matlock! They're both so strong! And the PASSION!! I am an actress myself, but I could never summon up that much truly convincing passion, especially not with my husband watching from the wing! Deedee was also astounding! I envy her so much! The amount of breath support she had, even while sitting down was completely mind-boggling! I could never hold those notes with such strength without standing up, even with my training! Not to mention that her husband is GORGEOUS, AND he's touring WITH her! Part of me wishes I could share the stage with my husband, Patrick. Oh well. I'm just hooked on Wicked, but even more, hooked on Clifton! I wish they would do a recording with Clifton! He's ten times better than Norbert Leo Butz!
Comment from Amanda Lynn I on March 1, 2007 at 5:25 PM
A few months ago I had the oppurtunity to see "Wicked" with my mother at the Providence Performing Arts Center! I had never heard of it like I've heard about Phantom of the Opera or Les Miserables...I mean I didn't even know what it was about! I heard about through my High School Voacal Ensemble class(we are singing "For Good" as our 2007 graduation song!) Anyways, the only word that I can find to describe the performance is AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL! I was privilaged to see Christina DeCicco (Glinda), Victoria Matlock (Elphaba), Cliffton Hall (Fiyero), adn Deedee Magno Hall (Nessarose). They were GREAT! They are SO Incredibly talented. I personally admired Victoria Matlock's performance the most! She was my favorite! I left the performance upset that it was over! I have to agree with the posting above, their performance sounded SO much better than the recording! This play has inspired me so much. My biggest dream- because I ABSOLUTELY LOVE to sing, is to be given the chance to play the part of Elphaba in any production of this musical!!! Due to my inspiration and love for the part, I feel I would make a very good Elphaba and put all of my heart and soul into the performance!! I LOVE WICKED!!!! I personally think that it should become a movie production! I would watch it over and over every day!!
Comment from kahiau on July 10, 2007 at 5:50 AM
Well, I'm sitting here in Hawaii and jealous of you all because you've seen this show. Cliffton and DeeDee are both close friends of mine and I would LOVE to see them perform in the tour, but their tour is making an East Coast stint for the next year and that's a bit far, for now. I'm green with envy of you all!
Comment from Margaret on February 8, 2008 at 9:27 AM
I saw Wicked on February 7 in Cleveland, OH with my best friend and I loved it. All the actors were magnificent. The set and costumes were like nothing I've ever seen before. Cliffton Hall played Fiyero and was absolutely wonderful. Katie Rose Clarke played Glinda and Carmen Cusack was Elphaba. They complimented each other so well. I loved every minute of it and I wish I get to see it again someday.