the cast

[ChancetoFly]

She told some really touching and inspirational and funny stories about how she first got started in the business and she got some really horribly reviews annd was lucky wnough ot get some really great mentors....etc....she was really nice.

[gypsy]

Like Jeni said, I wish I could get someone famous and inspirational to speak at my town...two more years. Maybe there'll be some kind of miracle. *prays*
-gyps

[ChancetoFly]

Don't forget though guys, I just graduated from a musical theatre conservatory in New York City....that helps a lot for getting us some B'way types to speak at graduation.

[defyinggravity530]

Oh I didn't realize that. Yeah, Ally, I think we're out of luck. We're stuck with our lovely teachers...::cringes:: Maybe you'll get someone funny though, don't know yet who we got this year...hope it's someone good.

[gypsy]

Maybe I could pull some strings and get my snobby 3rd cousin that hates me to say something. I could tell her it's my *sister's* graduation, because yea, she likes her. I'm just not as pretty and cute as my dear sweet Nessa, so I'm out of luck.

Imagine her showing up: "you all suck, blahblahblah, i dont like Ally. Now go to college."
-gyps

[ChancetoFly]

Most high schools don't get even remotely famous keynote speakers, unless they have an alumni who is uber famous. It's a little more likely at colleges.

And on that note, back to topic kids!

Anyone see any understudies in the show? How do they compare to the regular cast?

[gypsy]

Omfg, Kristofer Kusick sings like a Backstreet Boy, but he's WAY hotter!! (Don't I sound like a sleazy fangirl?) I saw him first, when Norbert was out. Then I saw Taye...when Norbert was out. I have yet to see Mister Butz...heehee...himself, but I'm still young. There's hope for me yet.
-gyps

[SaSa]

gypsy said:

Omfg, Kristofer Kusick sings like a Backstreet Boy

He so does not! As someone who has seen the BSB 6 times in concert, owns everyone of their cds (singles as well) and videos i can officially attest that Kristoffer Cusik is one far away from the limits of popdom.

I love Norbert, and I saw Taye but I can say that I actually enjoyed Kristoffer's performance better than oth of them. I have my reasons though. I think part of it may have been to do with the fact that I was sitting front row and he was right there, but still he gave his whole heart in his performance. I thought it was very similar to Norbert's, even his voice and the guys I was sitting next to agreed with me.

I loved Kristoffer because he enjoyed himself so much in that role. He knew it was nothing but a sheer chance of luck (bad fortune for Norbert) that he was playing the leading man in a new hit musical on Broadway, and he appreciated it. You could tell it in the way he gave everything he had to give (OMG BSB moment) in every second of his performance. He knew that the audience was more than likely to be a tad perturbed that they were seeing this new hit show with an understudy for the leading man, so he gave his all to make sure that he made up for that. And he did.

I heart kristoffer! LLAM.

Sa

[SugarTherapy]

I saw Kristoffer twice, and while I missed my Norb (who seems to be my favorite simply because he was my first llam), Kristoffer actually did a very good job.

My first time, I saw Melissa Bell Chait because Kristin was out, and she was... well, she was Melissa playing Kristin playing G(a)linda. But I think with the way the role is written, that's bound to happen to a G(a)linda understudy. But she winked at me last time! llam

[gypsy]

SaSa said:

I heart kristoffer! LLAM.

I heart him too, and I agree with all you said. I just thought he sounded a little pop-y at some moments. I didn't actually mean he sang like a backstreet boy (which is funny since AJ is on BWAY too...is/was/whatever). I love KC, and the second time I saw Wicked, we went to pick up our Will-Call tickets and I could have sworn I saw him go into the stage door. I'd know that cute bum anywhere!
-gyps

[idina4eva]

The only understudy I've ever seen is one for the midwife...sure it's not really an important character but it's really funny whenthe green baby comes out and she holds it up to the father and he goes "take it away" so she moves to the side, in a motion of removing it and then goes back to him who then replies "take it away". The understudy didn't do that--It was very depressing!

[ElphieatShiz]

When I saw Wicked, I got to see Kristoffer. I was thrilled to see the understudy of a major role b/c that's usually a rare thing. I think he did an excellent job and since the cd hadn't come out and I had nothing to compare to, it seemed like it was his role from the start.

[glindathegood]

I thought he was just so adorable!Since he was my first Fiyero(although I LOVE Norbert), I am quite partial to him!I think he did just as good as Norbert does(but sadly i've never seen Norbert Live, just on tape). Rock on Kristoffer!
-Colleen

[FaeAtShiz]

My first Fiyero was Kristoffer too, and I thought he was so handsome. Sorry to say this, but when I saw pics of Norbert I thought I liked Kristoffer better in the looks department. I think his hair was not as shaggy as Norbert's or something, but I am sure if I saw the show with Norbert I might be swayed to his side.

[Elphie]

I saw Laura Bell Bundy and she was really really great as Glinda. She doesn't actually have Chenoweth's stage presence but I thought she made the role worthy of Glinda and Chenoweth, while not copying Chenoweth's style completely. Like she did a couple of the lines in different speeds or styles, and there were some notes she raised the octave. (Of course this is all going by listening to Chenoweth on the CD- I've never seen her live so my comparison is somewhat flawed.) But when she cried the entire way through For Good, she had me in tears. I thought it was so sweet that the song affected her that way. She really did a fantastic job considering the shoes she had to fill.