15+ REASONS WHY WE SHOULD ALL LOVE JACOB YOUNG AS FIYERO-WEST END
I was very excited to see Wicked West End last month as I hadn't seen it in a while and was looking forward to catching Wicked and Hadestown in my one day "London Theatre Day".
What I wasn't expecting was to have my all time favorite character played by someone I had never heard of - who within a few scenes, blew me away and easily became my all time favorite Fiyero.
Let me set the stage by saying I'm not easy to win over. My first Wicked experience was with an actor who was very stiff and robotic on stage (I didn't care for the prince character of Fiyero at all because of that). Then, over time, Jonathan Bailey came along and set a Fiyero bar so high; JB's Fiyero was easily lovable and cared about as some 'rich prince'. I fell in love with the character development arc and storytelling of Fiyero. With JB, it's easy to fall.
So what happened to me that day in London, when an actor unknown to me and my Wicked community, suddenly took the stage by storm?
I'm a hard judge on Fiyeros and Jacob Young easily became (and deserves) the place in my theatrical heart as my all time favorite Fiyero.
This is why Jacob earned that spot:
16 . Jacob's acting is off-the-charts. You can see and feel Fiyero's emotions. You understand his inner thoughts by him barely doing anything. Fiyero has never felt more real to me
15 . His dancing is on point: snappy, energetic, and fun as hell to watch - the foreshadowing is insane and JL level movements of sharpness and style
14. He gives his all in his dancing during DTL; he is literally sweating at the end when he and Glinda dance off for scene change. Tell me that is not commitment and very real storytelling. Very Fiyero. Who hasn't done that at a club? Go Jacob!
13 . Jacob's expressions are insane, never distracting, and feel honest and real. Fiyero lives and breathes on stage
12 . His Arjikis vibe: Curly hair. Loop earrings on each ear. Tattoos appropriately on his arms. His accent is beautiful, and the vibe works.
11 . When Elphaba says Nessa is in danger and she sees a house flying, Jacob mouths in quiet confusion, 'A house?'
-- He makes new, interesting, and gorgeous acting choices on stage - Never have I seen a Fiyero do these following choices, do them as well, or on par with the best:
10 . ALAYM: Touches and pets Elphaba's hair quite a few times (never too much or distracting - Seb/SJB excluded from this bc you have to know they weren't acting on some level lol - bless their hand s*x)
9 . ALAYM: Smiles and laughs naturally, at the proper beats (not distracting) while singing to Elphie; so much so that she's laughing too and enjoying herself; their chemistry is perfect
8 . TG: His delivery of "I'm always happy" feels so natural and real - all of his acting choices are on par with the strongest Fiyero actors. (Where did this dude come from?? Pls stay as Fiyero!)
7 . CORNFIELD: You can feel his sorrow, regret to Glinda, and his physical pain (yes others have done this - his unique way comes across so genuine)
6 . OZDUST: When Morrible pulls Glinda aside, Fiyero turns his back to his Ozdust audience (we see his face) and for a gorgeous few beats, he drops his mask, looks like the real Fiyero as he's concerned at a new school - Fiyero is making some inner choices, and then he dons his mask again. Not distracting. A blink and you miss it moment. Right before our eyes. We too see you, Fiyero
5 . In the Shiz classroom before Dillamond arrest: He genuinely watches and flirt-teases Elphaba with his delivery of "Toss Toss" - and yes, so many Fiyeros do this - given everything else Jacob does, his delivery is adorable
4 . There is a sweet, kind quality of Fiyero in his Act 1 performance. There is a solid, caring quality of Fiyero 4-5 yrs later. He cares for Glinda too.
3 . The Thropple vibe is real anytime the three mains are on stage. Even when its him and one of our lovely witches. He brings it and it's gorgeous to watch.
2 . In the Shiz classroom after Dillamond arrest: Elphaba casts her magic in anger and Fiyero's whole body is hit. Jacob launches himself backwards, airborne, looks bewildered at what just went through his entire body, and we SEE her magic hit him - we are as shocked as he is that he's the only other one left standing. This actor is beyond simple physical acting and is just brilliant. BRILLIANT.
1 . His scarecrow is off the charts! He is bendy - stumble-y - never distracting. He hugs Elphaba's hat to his chest. He stands still on stage, yet sways in the wind in the most natural way. He is the most bendy, swaaay-ey, and makes the sweetest stage scarecrow I've ever seen - Great job, Jacob Young!
If you haven't caught him performing at West End, RUN (don't walk) to see him. As I haven't seen primary Fiyero at West End yet - I have to say Jacob is the gift they keeps on giving and when it's time to switch things up, I pray they cast Jacob as perm Fiyero. He's earned it.
Last note: Jacob is like the rest of the cast and super nice at the stage door. The dude is only 25 yrs old and well on his way to being a master at his craft. WE LOVE ALL YOUR HARD WORK, JACOB YOUNG!! THANK YOU!!
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