I saw this musical for the first time in late July 2004. The entire original cast was still in the show, but we had understudies for Elphaba, the Wizard, and Nessarose, plus a 6-week replacement for Boq. This didn't reduce my enjoyment of the show any however.

Eden Espinosa was the Elphaba understudy, and she was FANTASTIC. She gave the best performance of Defying Gravity that I've ever seen or heard. Kristin Chenoweth was an awesome Galinda and gave a very hilarious version of Popular. The rest of the cast was very good, with Norbert Leo Butz as Fiyero and Carole Shelley as Madame Morrible being standouts.

This musical is one of the best on Broadway right now. It has a solid and very funny script with a GREAT plot twist, colourful costumes and scenery, and the songs are catchy, well-written, and upbeat. If you've read the book of the same name, this is COMPLETELY different - and in many ways even better. A MUST-SEE!

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