#congratulotions

Butyiu Glinda™

As requested by my beta @congratulotions​, an AU of my AU. 

The first paragraph of Wiretapped Life Written Like That™ (aka rush typing on mobil without correcting):

Woth a last veush od rough Vlinda chdck her image in the mirror. She was still indeniably pretty, but it did not please her to see how much she had agegs. The little wrinkles nedt to her eyes has gotteb nore probiybced what she qouls give to relish oncr more in the sinokixity of her uouth.

(Ayyy i’m just glad I have a place where my gelphie feels and rambles are appreciated *finger guns*) 

I’ve talked about my faves before, but not so much why they are my faves so here goes:

Katie Rose Clarke is my favorite Glinda. I don’t know how she’s done it, because I usually don’t have a favorite performer. But I do, and it’s her. KRC!Galinda believes in her own goodness, which works really well for the stage version. She’s innocent, sweet, and by all means good. It makes sense why she keeps getting called ‘good’ by everyone around her. She’s also secretly a dork (WHICH IS TOTALLY GLINDA LBR). Even when she’s supposed to be mean to Elphaba, (”she’s phosphorescent” “the artichoke is steamed”) it comes across more as an Observation (although tacky)  than it’s actually meant to hurt Elphaba. 

But what I appreciate most about KRC, is she takes her goddamn time to let moments hit. With the dance scene, she lets it sink in how this is such an important and difficult decision for Galinda. She takes her time letting the words “you’re beautiful” hit. She is ONE OF THE TOUCHIEST GLINDA’S OUT THERE! That’s always a plus. 

AND WE HAVEN’T EVEN TALKED THE SECOND ACT MY FRIEND!!!! Katie Rose Clarke, first and foremost, is the angstiest Glinda ever. It’s painful. It’s heartbreaking. No other Glinda can convey the emotion of Thank Goodness better than KRC. It was like it was fucking made for her. After Elphaba’s death, she isn’t just sad, she’s fucking bitter and that’s exactly what adult Glinda is all about. She’s bitter. She’s only pushing through because that’s Elphaba’s wish. But even in scenes like NOWTM it’s written all over her how much she only doing this for Elphaba... if you know where to look. 

I could literally talk for hours about all the decisions she made. I actually had to cut some of it out bc it was getting too long. I just. I LOVE HER OKAY!?

Very honorary mentions of other Glindas I absolutely adore: Kara Lindsay (I know she’s your fav, and I agree, she’s awesome!), Megan Hilty, Annaleigh Ashford, and even though I’ve only ever heard her perfomance, I think I’d also very much dig Suzie Mathers’ Glinda. 

Come to think of it, my interpretation comes closer to most West End Glindas, than Broadway ones. This is mostly a cultural difference. Because in the US The Blonde trope is closer to “popular, shallow, dumb” whilst in the UK The Blonde trope is “classist, rich, spoiled, bratty, arrogant” which is waaay more Glinda-esque. Like the only West End Glindas I’ve seen are Sarah Earnshaw, Gina Beck and Suzie Mathers, and I think they’re all great, even tho I am a very specific about my Glindas. 

Not so much with Elphabas! (awesome segue) What I like about the role is that it can be pretty stylized, and that’s what keeps the role new and refreshing. I have talked before that I prefer my Elphabas to be rough around the edges (you got some who play her soft and innocent and NOPE), but here goes anyway.

Elphabas that I absolutely love to death in alphabetical order so it doesn’t look like I show any bias because I genuinely love all these ladies equally and for different reasons:

Eden Espinosa GAWDD She’s so good. I just. Yes. YES! I need to rewatch her some more so I can been more specific but YES!

Emmy Raver-Lampman deserves all the FREAKING LOVE okay!? She’s a deadpan Elphaba and sings like a goddess. What more do you need in life?

Donna Vivino this lady can SIIINNGGGG. Her Elphie is smol and bitter and angry and I love it. There’s also this one bootleg where she goes “As you can seeee~ she’s a PERFECTLY normal color!” and she accidentally kind of sings the “see” and sometimes I just replay that tiny bit because I love that line delivery so so much. 

Jennifer DiNoia is just an all-rounder Elphaba. Really good singer and actress and it shows how long she’s been with the role and how much she loves playing Elphaba. 

Lindsay Mendez look. okay. I haven’t been able to watch a bootleg of her in which she’s Elphaba. But I rewatch Fly Girl on the regular, and I’ve suffered through Dog Fight for her so I’m pretty sure I’ll love her Elphaba once I find a bl of her

Mandy Gonzalez so far the only real softie Elphaba I enjoy. She’s soft but bitter. Also she’s the only actress who gave me sibling Nessa&Elphie feels. She. WOW. I did not expect for her to rip my heart out, but I love. 

Rachel Tucker listen. when. Tucker. GROWLS. in her songs. I. Am. LIVING. also she looks exceptionally pretty in green, even tho all these women look gorgeous in green BUT SHE LOOKS SO GOOD IN GREEN!?!? I’m still furious she wasn’t allowed to talk with her gorgeous accent and she’s also just a genuinely good actress with a lot of passion that comes across really well on stage.

Stephanie J. Block I’ve only watched her bootleg once bc the camera quality is pretty bad but SHE’S SO GOOD!!! Also love love LOVED her in Falsettos and 9 to 5.

Willemijn Verkaik I mean, do I have to mention why? We all know why!

sure thing, here you go!

Jun 28, 2003 (Pre-Broadway, San Francisco)

send me 🔥 for an unpopular opinion on something!

well, i think that certain people… on this blue hellsite……. need to realise……….. that being lgbtq+…………….. doesn’t immediately cancel out the fact that you’re an asshole