So flash-forward to the lottery, my name was on card #2 and Jessica's was on #4, her lucky number. What it is you show up 2 1/2 hours before the show and put ur name in a drum and they randomly draw names for 1 or 2 tickets for a limited number of seats. (20 seats) Most people put in for 2 seats, so reality they draw 10 names. We didn't win. :( But they said there $40 single tickets available and I looked at Jessica and said lets do it, balcony seats are better than nothing at all! Right? Well we were in orchestra seating I was in row C and she was in row D! Not too bad for $40, eh? ;)
So with 90 minutes to kill before the show, we packed a picnic lunch before knowing it was going to be a long day! :) So we got out the food and put a blanket under a nice big tree by the stage door. We had met with another friend of mine at the lottery, who was going to the show, but she helped us with the lottery. So we had our lunch and watched people drive in. Interesting, you knew if they were in the cast or crew cause they didn't pay. That was the fun part trying to figure out who was who! ;)
So after awhile we started seeing cast come in. I had finished my sandwhich and was just looking around and talking. All the sudden some one came up talking about playbills and sending them back already, and I was like who in the world?! It was Christine Dwyer, the Elphaba understudy! I didn't recognize her with her sunglasses on. It was fun talking to her before the show. I asked, cause I knew there was a tiny chance she could go on, if she knew she was going on and she said no unless something happened, that Anne had been rock solid. =o) No complaints, but I knew my bud Dana would be happy to hear she hadn't missed her debut. ;) So then all 3 of us saw Natalie Daradich (Glinda) pull in, which is hilarious that we all knew her car! Jessica, who had never done the stage door before, goes "She will probably recognize you when she turns around this way." And what do you know, she did! ;) Natalie waved and talked to us on her way in. Asked if we were going to the show and to have a good time. (I swear how strange did it have to look to see people sitting out there at the door before the show) Then Jenn Furman (midwife/ensemble) walked up and knew me (gotta love Facebook) and talked to us. I got a nice hug from her again too. :) Then we saw Erin Wilson (shen-shen/ensemble) pull in and actually parked behind Jessica's car. (guess we were in the VIP area) She asked if we won, nope but we are going! LOL Asked where are seats were, cause I think I said something about getting orchestra seats for $40. Explained that whole thing and she said she would wave to us during the show. :)
By that time was over, it was time for us to start walking back toward the front entrance. We walked in and actually found the cast board this time! I was so THRILLED to see Anne's name up for Elphaba, and she was the only one up there! ;) I was really hoping to see Kristine Reese as Nessa, and got my 2nd chance there! :) So we didn't have to walk far to get to where we walked in. So when they let us we made our way to our seats, all the way down in the front. Of cours the luck I have, I had 2 tall people in front of me! :rolls eyes: For the first time I went down to look at the orchestra pit and got an earful about not taking pictures of the map that's onstage. :rolls eyes: You learn someting new everyday!
And to the show! Natalie was as amazing as ever as Glinda, that didn't change. Her "Popular" is my favorite of all time. She's so bubbly like Glinda should be in the show. Anne, she was just amazing from the moment she popped onstage. I have never been a fan of the song "Wizard and I" but her and Vicki Noon have made me a lover of it. Anne was just amazing and really belted it out during this number. She reminded me a bit of Carrie Manolakos (former 2nd tour standby) in this number. During "Popular" there were bits of Marcie Dodd (former 2nd tour lead) which was great to see. I loved that she did the little squeal in the school room scene following "Popular." Another number "I'm Not That Girl" there are two ways to do the final note and both Anne and Natalie (Glinda does a reprise of it during Act 2) took the note up, rather than do the low note. Which I had never heard before. The finale of Act 1 "Defying Gravity" was just as bone chilling as ever. Anne's voice is so different and unique, I for the first time in tears just about after this song. She really belted it out (as its called). She didn't do the famous growl, but my jaw was still on the ground when she went up in the lift. (side note: many people wondered why Anne was only the standby and what the lead sounded like) "As Long As Your Mine" I swear they need a room! ;) (If you have seen the show you know what I am talking about) But Anne and Chris really need a separate room at the end of this song. ;) They sounded great together. The catfight scene, I always enjoy this part of the show. I had a great close-up of the slap and I loved Anne's witch cackle! "No Good Deed" Anne again was mind blowing and sent chills up and down your spine. When it came time for the song "For Good" I was bracing myself for the bawling song. I didn't do as bad as I have in the past, but still did cry. Anne and Natalie have wonderful chemistry onstage and at this point in the show, is where you really see the friendship between Elphie and Glinda.
Another amazing show! The ensemble of the 2nd tour is one of the best! Truly amazing dancers and performers! They really make the show interesting to watch, and backing up to Erin's comment before the show, both Jessica and I caught her wave during the show. ;)
So of course we hit the stage door again. I am including the pictures from both experiences, since I didn't get any repeats since there were so many people out there. :)
Erin Wilson (ShenShen/Ensemble/Madame Morrible u/s) 5/20/2010
All 3 times I have met her she has been super sweet. :) 4 months of correspondence online, I met her each trip to Wicked, basically. :) I am jealous of anyone that will get to see her Morrible, I wish I can get that lucky! :)
Jenn Furman (Midwife/Ensemble/Madame Morrible u/s) 5/20/2010
It was so funny after Durham, she had messaged me out of the blue on Facebook and said she knew I was at the show, but had to rush out to the store. Met her both times in Charlotte and was really sweet. :)
Chris Peluso (Fiyerio) 5/20/2010
He bolted out after Durham's show, but caught him in Charlotte! Really nice guy! Cute too! When this was taken, I told him I saw he had AC. ;) (Ah the joys of Facebook)Jessica was excited to meet him and was like he touched me! ;)
Natalie Daradich (Galinda) 5/20/2010
She's one of the sweetest people you will ever meet! :) I happen to know her biggest fans out in SF and she kindly let me know had gotten her package. ;) On the 30th, she was a bit embaressed for having shoved a cookie in mouth before coming out. She didn't smell of chocolate, I think Jessica said she smelt like strawberries???
Vicki Noon (Elphaba) 5/20/2010
A bad pic on my part, but she was really nice. She stopped with us again and took a picture with my aunt. :) Her Elphaba is fierce and was better than in Durham.
Michelle London ((She was Nessa on 5/4 & 5/20)) (Phfanee/ensemble/Glinda & Nessarose u/s) 5/30/2010
This was the 2nd picture I got with her, the first one didn't turn out good on my part. She made a really sweet comment about Kristine's Nessa performance. She started to sign her name "Monday" instead of Michelle. LOL
Christine Dwyer (Ensemble/Elphaba u/s--my first Maureen in Rent) 5/30/2010
Really sweet too! Fun to talk to before and after the show. Her, Jenn and Erin all stopped at the same time on this day. She will always will be my first Maureen, so glad I got to meet her and see her in Wicked. :) I got my playbills back from her this week too with a sweet letter! :)
Kristine Reese (Nessarose) 5/30/2010
I had thought I had missed her Nessa all together, so glad I went again. I absolutely loved her again. She came out with a huge smile on her face ready to sign and looked happy to be there. :) She said "Hi Cortney" when she saw me. Really shocked she knew me, but it was great to be a familar face out in the crowd.
Marilyn Caskey (Madame Morrible) 5/30/2010
I had missed her on 5/20 but caught her this time around! :) Loved her Morrible! :) She liked my hair, and at the time I forgot she too is a redhead! ;)
Anne Brummel (Elphaba s/b) 5/30/2010
Finally! LOL Everyone else I know has seen her Elphaba, and I got my chance to see her and meet her! I told her about the package I sent her and said the fist part of it and she remembered it and my name. :) She loved it, she said. I let her know I got her letter and picture from her. :)
Charlotte Playbills and Tickets w/Anne's slip!
On another side note: Felicia Ricci, who is the Elphaba standby in San Francisco, has gone on as Elphaba each time I have seen tour 2 in North Carolina! Weird coincidence, or just luck for her. ;) Remind you, Vicki Noon and Natalie Daradich came from that same company. ;) Hahahaha!
One truly amazing cast and 3 amazing shows! Will miss them when they leave North Carolina.
