Broadway Discussion Series: Wicked

[Prince Eric]

I was just about to post that. Yes, Stephen Shwartz, the guy who penned our beloved "Colors of the Wind," also wrote the music to this as well. That doesn't mean the production has to turn out like Disney, though. (Duh.) The musical leaves out a lot of important elements of the book. The musicals makes Glinda a co-lead, while the book really enforces the story of Elphaba. As far as reviews, yes, there have been just as many good ones as bad, so basically, it's a mixed bag. Also, there will be no DVD, I've checked. Those usually appear after a play closes, and this one is expected to run for years.

[Prince Adam]

I really like the fact that they concentrate more on Elphaba's relationship with Glinda-I think it could really strengthen the reasons why they turn out the way they do.

[my chicken is infected]

I LOVE Wicked! I saw a bootleg, cause I HAD to see it after getting the cast album, which I fell in love with. It's so AMAZING!

[Kram Nebuer]

[blows off dust from topic]...Sorry to bump such a cryptic topic, whose title is quite outdated...

But anyhow, if I EVER get to see any Broadway musical(s), Wicked would most definitely be one I'd like to see (in addition to "Beaty and the Beast," "Into the Woods," and a snippet view of the Tony's made me want to see the whole show of the puppets on "Avenue Q").

Thank goodness for discounted college student Broadway tickets and a university close to Broadway!!!!!!

On Wednesday night Jane Mccoy and I finally got to see our first real Broadway show and it was wicked!!!!!! It was simply amazing and dramatic and funny and the story was just incredible and I can't really describe how terriffic it was!! When things happened we kept going Ohhhhhhhhh! and Ahhhhh!! and WOW!!! and the people around us were probably annoyed by us because we were amazed by everything!!!! The theater was very beautiful and I wish I could've taken pictures in the actual theater part of the theater, but we weren't allowed. We sat up way at the very top, but it didn't matter, the musical was still amazing!!!

The cast was amazing too and there were some familiar faces and some new ones that had incredible talent too!

Elphaba - Eden Espinosa (glorious voice. If you missed Indina Menzel, you'd better see it with Eden! If you saw Indina Menzel, you still better go see Eden!)
Galinda - Kate Reinders (her voice was highly annoying, but the character was hilarious! I think Kristen Chenoweth made the role to be what it was! She had some really funny one liners!)
The Wizard - David Garrison (he was one of Marcy's husbands on "Married with Children"!)
Madame Morrible - Carol Kane (After I read her bio my mouth dropped! She was in so many things like The Princess Bride and more recently, the drama teacher in Confessions...Drama Queen)
Fiyero - Derrick Williams
Nessarose - Jenna Leigh Green (Libby Chesler from the original "Sabrina the Teenage Witch"!! She was so awesome and really fit the role!)
Boq - Logan Lipton (He was my favorite character )
Dr. Dillamond - Steven Skybell

Also Steven Schwartz's music was just WONDERFUL and I can't wait to get the soundtrack!!!!!!!! AHHH I have to see it again!!!!!

Also I can't wait to get the book! I've read Confessions...Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire and it was a phenomenal interpretation of the Cinderella story as was Wicked. I guess he should get credit for the spectacular story. It was awesome to see why things were what they were and stuff. The only disappointment I guess was that I realized some things he "explained" strayed from the real novels of The Wizard of Oz and was more of a new spin on the 1930s movie.


AHHH I have to see it again!!!

p.s. "Defying Gravity" was a TOTALLY WICKEDLY AWESOME end to the first act!!!!!!!!!!!

p.p.s. We can't wait to see more broadway shows!!! Next on our list is "Spamalot" because Rutgers is selling tickets to that next. We also want to see the Disney shows (Beauty and the Beast with Donny Osmond! ), Jersey Boys, and The Wedding Singer. I think there's more, but we also definitely want to see Wicked again!!!!!

p.p.p.s. AHHH We have to see it again!!!!!!

p.p.p.p.s. Are they still making a movie of it? I can't see why no company wouldn't! (don't know if that made sense with all the negatives)

[totallyminnie86]

Ok, I'll try to keep things bried because it'll take all night to write out everything I want to say, as clearly this thread is not yet completley full of theater people (give it a day or so, trust me there must be some die hards somewhere on these boards . Well, guess what. I'm a musical theater addict. I've loved wicked since I heard the cast recording when it came out a couple of years ago. And yes, many critics and "legitimate" theater fans dismiss it as pre-teen fluff, but in all honesty it is an amazing show. And I suppose I have the right to say it is, I may not be one of those overly critical and intense people like on some broadway sites. ahem, broadwayworld (nah, its not that bad. I go there alot, but usaually to read, not post. People are all over your case when you have an opinion.) I've gone to many shows (well, only tours b/c I live in seattle) and I'm 20, so that takes away any biased sounding reviews from its so-called target demographic of early teens.

If you enjoy the cast recording, or at least have even a small, passing interest in theater, or the show, or the book. GO SEE IT!!!! I just recently had the opportunity to see the tour of the show at its seattle stop a couple of weeks ago. Shoshana Bean as Elphaba (not my favorite) and Megan Hilty as Galinda (amazing!, she almost rivals chenoweth imo) Although I've been a fan of the show since it premiered, and after countless listenings of the cast recording it was my first experience seeing the actual production. Providing who is cast, the music is almost always great. The sets and visuals are pleasing, and the scene transitions are not distracting (some shows they are, small pet peeve of mine).

Above all what comes through is that the book really works for this show. No, its not Sondheim, but it does flow nicely enough to carry a plot. While it still rests in the category of "poppy-trendy-teen-fluff" shows, Unlike a couple of the other shows I've seen recently, like "the wedding singer" and "bombay dreams" (the latter, of which was a tour stripped of the andrew lloyd webber name, and on the particular night I saw it, seemed off due to an almost all Understudy cast) this one actually does have depth, and yes does have potential to be a very wonderful and fulfulling show, despite what some people say.

If you can ignore the constant screaming of obsessive younger fans who want to paint their faces green, and the cynicism of a few hardened critics, and can just take the show for what it is, and make it your own expirience, then you'll mosy likely love it.

and on the note of ave Q, if you have doubts, just give it a chance. You'll fins that its downright entertaining to most.

[Simba3]

BUMP

I am really excited because I am going back home to Michigan this summer to see my family and we have tickets to see Wicked at the Wharton Center (East Lansing, MI). I'm so excited to see the musical that I picked up the book of the same name by Gregory Maguire, which the musical is based on, and just started reading it as well. This thread hadn't been posted in, in a while, so I was just curious who has seen the show and your thoughts of the show. Please don't give anything away, I'd just like to know what people think of the show, or the book?

[TheSequelOfDisney]

I am (I think) going to see this when it comes to Cincinnati next Jan. and Feb. I'm really excited! I know most of the songs and I know it will be fantastic. Even though it isn't really like the novel, at all, I'm sure it stays close to it, at least a little. Anyway, I'm probably going and I can't wait.



I'M DEFYING GRAVITY!!!!!!!

[Anthony]

I was just curious who has seen the show and your thoughts of the show. Please don't give anything away, I'd just like to know what people think of the show

Wicked came to Toronto the first time in spring of 2005 and then returned in the fall of 2006 (I'm sure it'll be back again at a later date). I've seen it 3 times and I love it! The music, the set design, the costumes, everything! I'm sure you'll love it just as much as I do.

I get geeky excited when I hear that people are seeing Wicked for the first time, I don't know why, I just do. I think it's because I know that they will love it, and sometimes I wish I could see it again for the first time.

[Cierra_Dancer]

so I was just curious who has seen the show and your thoughts of the show. Please don't give anything away, I'd just like to know what people think of the show, or the book?

I've seen the show seven times, and I think it's a great show. However, the show can be good, or amazing depending on the cast. The cast is the main factor of how good this show is. The script isn't the best, and it is pretty choppy. I have seen as Elphaba, Shoshana Bean, Eden Espinosa, Kerry Ellis, and Idina Menzel. And I've heard/seen some other stuff too . Idina is by far the best one, her acting is amazing and her singing is phenomonal. She made the show amazing, and she is my favorite performer, not just because of Wicked, although Wicked introduced me to her. As Glinda I have seen Jennifer Laura Thompson, Kendra Kassembaum (?), Megan Hilty, and Helen Dallimore. Helen was the best one in my opinion.

[Simba3]

However, the show can be good, or amazing depending on the cast. The cast is the main factor of how good this show is.

Ok cool. I am seeing the tour when it comes to Michigan this summer, so hopefully they will have a good touring cast.

Idina is by far the best one, her acting is amazing and her singing is phenomonal. She made the show amazing, and she is my favorite performer, not just because of Wicked, although Wicked introduced me to her.

Um, DUH! I love Idina Menzel, she's amazing. I wish I could see her as Elphaba.

[Anthony]

I have seen as Elphaba, Shoshana Bean, Eden Espinosa, Kerry Ellis, and Idina Menzel. And I've heard/seen some other stuff too . Idina is by far the best one, her acting is amazing and her singing is phenomonal. She made the show amazing, and she is my favorite performer As Glinda I have seen Jennifer Laura Thompson, Kendra Kassembaum (?), Megan Hilty, and Helen Dallimore.

I saw Shoshana Bean and Eden Espinosa in the shows that I saw. Bean was my favorite Elphaba though. I really don't remember who played Glinda in all the shows. Hmmmm.... I have to check my playbill.

I'm really sad that I never got to see the New York production while Idina was on. After listening to the soundtrack fifty billion times, she is so amazing. Would have loved to see her live. And of course the incredible Kristen Chenowith as well.

I've seen the show seven times

Seven times!! Wow! You got me beat!

[SpringHeelJack]

BUMP

I am really excited because I am going back home to Michigan this summer to see my family and we have tickets to see Wicked at the Wharton Center (East Lansing, MI). I'm so excited to see the musical that I picked up the book of the same name by Gregory Maguire, which the musical is based on, and just started reading it as well. This thread hadn't been posted in, in a while, so I was just curious who has seen the show and your thoughts of the show. Please don't give anything away, I'd just like to know what people think of the show, or the book?

I've said this many times before, that I really dislike the show. I love the book, however. I saw the show with the original cast a a few months after it opened, and I felt pretty underwhelmed by the end. It was okay, but certainly not worth the fuss I had heard. Some of the music wasn't bad, but the lyrics were pretty abysmal, which was frustrating given that I know Stephen Schwartz can be a competant lyricist (see "Pippin" and "The Baker's Wife"), and 75% of the lyrics were cliched and sounded like something he had banged out on a lousy day. All in all, I thought it was mediocre. Sort of like "Phantom of the Opera", it had some catchy melodies and spectacle, but wasn't a particularly good show. Plus the Wizard of Oz jokes got really old really fast.

Then I read the book. Well. I loved it. It was such an engrossing, in-depth tale, which the musical captured none of. The book had such creativity and detail and did an amazing job of painting a darker side of a happy fantastical world while making engrossing characters who were more than the simple black and white cardboard cutouts in the musical. The musical also made a vain attempt to tie some of the characters in the book to established characters in "The Wizard of Oz", which totally disregarded any established backstories of the Tin Man and the Scarecrow. Essentially, it took a book about motivations, politics, and morality and turned it into a story about a girl who doesn't fit in with a mild touch of "Oh, what is good and evil?" thrown in at the last minute. The musical ended up reading like a book report written by a 12-year-old with a short attention span who only had a vague idea of what the book was about.

[SpringHeelJack]

Also, the cast recording presents a better picture of Idina Menzel then what often occured onstage. Towards the end of her run, her vocal cords were totally raw and she kept missing notes or just hitting lower ones. As much as I like Idina, and I do, she has horrible technique. She doesn't sing so much as belt, and that can damage your cords if you do it improperly (as Idina does). Plus the smoking probably doesn't help. I don't doubt her acting abilities, but as a singer, she needs some help.

[Cierra_Dancer]

Also, the cast recording presents a better picture of Idina Menzel then what often occured onstage. Towards the end of her run, her vocal cords were totally raw and she kept missing notes or just hitting lower ones. As much as I like Idina, and I do, she has horrible technique. She doesn't sing so much as belt, and that can damage your cords if you do it improperly (as Idina does). Plus the smoking probably doesn't help. I don't doubt her acting abilities, but as a singer, she needs some help.

I don't think she has horrible technique, but belting those songs 8 times a week takes a toll on somebody's voice and she did it for so long. I think every single Elphaba has somehow damaged, temporarily atleast, their voice. Idina in London was amazing, I never heard, and I have heard a lot, any off nights from her. And it's not proven that she smokes.

What did you think of her when you saw her in New York?

[SpringHeelJack]

Anyone repeatedly trying to do things beyond your range will, as you said suffer some problems at some point. But you can ask anyone trained in theatre, and most of them would agree that she does not have a good technique. She totally gives head voice a miss in favor of a loud sound which isn't done properly. There is a way to belt corrctly, and she simply doesn't do this. You can almost tell how straining it must feel when you listen to the CD, and that's on the low parts of the songs too. Like I said, I'm really not trying to bash her, I do like her. I liked her ever since '99 or so when I first heard the Rent OBCR. But there's no shame in saying that with a faulty technique she could seriously damage her vocal cords. As for the smoking, I have a friend who was totally obsessed with her and saw her many times outside the Wicked stagedoor, and he said that after she was done signing autographs, she lit a cigarette and left. He has no reason to make this up, and I have no reason not to trust him on this.

My personal thoughts on seeing her was that it was great to just see her. Regardless of my thoughts on the show, it was cool to see Idina and the Cheno, because I'd never saw either before and I was a big fan of the things they had done previously. I was left feeling underwhelmed by Idina, because as I said, she had a tendency to sneak by high notes or lower them down, especially compared to the CD. I thought Kristin did a great job, and personally she should have won the Tony, not Idina (though I'm sure she'll have another shot at some point). I'm glad I got to see her, being a big Rent fan it was awesome, but performance-wise, she was not all there. A firend who saw Shoshona Bean later on told me Shosh had no problems with the higher notes, but I think my dislikes of the show extend beyond a performance, so I doubt that would change my opinion much.

[Anthony]

Also, the cast recording presents a better picture of Idina Menzel then what often occured onstage. Towards the end of her run, her vocal cords were totally raw and she kept missing notes or just hitting lower ones. As much as I like Idina, and I do, she has horrible technique. She doesn't sing so much as belt, and that can damage your cords if you do it improperly (as Idina does). Plus the smoking probably doesn't help. I don't doubt her acting abilities, but as a singer, she needs some help.

You're right about this. I remember seeing some clips of Idina on YouTube and, compared to the CD recording, it was rather disappointing.

[Simba3]

After a little over a week, I have finally finished reading the book "Wicked". Overall, I really enjoyed the book. It wasn't really what I was expecting it to be, but it was good nonetheless. I am really anxious to see how the musical adaptation will compare to the book. I have heard from many different people that though the musical is based on Maguire's novel, there are many differences in the book and the musical. I think I have some knowlegde of what to expect from the musical, and I think perhaps my expectations for the book were derived from what I have heard the musical is like. Perhaps the differences in the musical will make the story more what I was expecting. Not to say that I didn't like the book, because I most certainly did, it was just not exactly what I was expecting. Anyway, I will be seeing Wicked: the musical on July 21st, then I will be able form a better conclusion.

[TheSequelOfDisney]

Okay, now I am 100% sure that I am going to see this! I'm so excited, I can't wait!!! The only thing is, that I can't sing "Defying Gravity" or my mom says that I can't go. Oh well, I'll just have to sing it when she's not here.

Anyway, here is the list of what is going to be shown for the 2007-2008 season, and I was wondering if anyone could give some suggestions on which ones stand out the best and are truly worthy to go and see, that is, if I can get my mother to take me, and I'd have to pay for the ticket. Thanks in advance!

[SpringHeelJack]

Sweeney Todd
Drowsy Chaperone
Maybe My Fair Lady...I don't know much about that tour

[TheSequelOfDisney]

Sweeney Todd
Drowsy Chaperone
Maybe My Fair Lady...I don't know much about that tour

I read about Drowsy Chaperone and it looks quite good. Sweeney Todd looks kinda weird and crazy, and I, too, don't know anything about My Fair Lady. Maybe we'll go with Drowsy Chaperone.