Wicked: The Musical? Since There Isn't A "Performing Arts and Theatre" Forum...

[JonniRandom]

I live in the United Kingdom, and in London the musical "Wicked" is constantly playing in the West End. After hearing about it I decided to download some of the songs and found them really good! I also read the book and found it refreshing and an interesting and creative read.

I was wondering, has anybody here seen the musical? Did you like it? Would it be worth me seeing? What did you think?

[Michael P]

I've no use for it.

[JonniRandom]

I've no use for it.

Oh? Were you not keen?

Is that all you'll say on the matter:tongue: ?

[Gingold]

I liked it okay when I saw it a couple of years ago, but it didn't leave much of a lasting impression. I wasn't humming the songs the next day anyway.

[HellFrost]

Wicked is my favorite play. I fell in love with the soundtrack and the first time I saw the play, I couldn't stop crying because it was so amazing.

The book happens to be my favorite book (which I read AFTER seeing the play), although it is very different from the play.

Glinda = Love!

[Flâneur]

I desperately want to see it.


Desperately.

It hasn't played in Sydney yet and likely won't for some time. So I'm considering whether or not I should go interstate to go see it.

Wicked and Son of a Witch are some of my favourite books ever - I must see something from them realised on stage.

Nessarose <3

[MacQuarrie]

I thoroughly enjoyed the musical, and really didn't much care for the book(s) at all.

I keep reading Maguire's books, and they keep disappointing me. His ideas are far better than his execution.They don't end, they just sort of stop. He's frequently needlessly vulgar and gratuitous. Worst, he's often boring. Elphaba's childhood is an ordeal to read, and the book doesn't get bearable at all until she gets to Shiz. Wading through those first few chapters was like a death-march.

This is one of those very rare cases where the adaptation far exceeds the original.

[JonniRandom]

I thoroughly enjoyed the musical, and really didn't much care for the book(s) at all.

I keep reading Maguire's books, and they keep disappointing me. His ideas are far better than his execution.They don't end, they just sort of stop. He's frequently needlessly vulgar and gratuitous. Worst, he's often boring. Elphaba's childhood is an ordeal to read, and the book doesn't get bearable at all until she gets to Shiz. Wading through those first few chapters was like a death-march.


I agree! I kind of stumbled through these parts and found myself "sifting" through it until Shiz.

[Merey]

I'm really, really picky when it comes to musical theatre, so I was easy to automatically dismiss this musical because it just seemed like another poorly adapted/re-conceptualized commercial theatre juggernaut (i.e. Aida, Mamma Mia, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Little Women, Young Frankenstein, Spamalot...and on and on...), but the music's not half bad. It's not very good, either - it's definitely no "Ragtime" which IMHO is the best novel to musical theatre adaptation in the last 15 years - but, all-in-all, I might actually pay to see this someday. And hey, I'd much rather see stuff similar to this taking over long-term residence on Broadway over some hacky Webber shit.

Although, I've heard if you're a big fan of the Maguire book, this adaptation is really disappointing. I tried reading the book, but it just didn't catch my attention. I think the musical's watered-down story might appeal to me more.

[Asa]

I loved it!. Puts a very different perspective on the whole" Wizard Of Oz" story.

I can see it not being a "everyone would love it"play. Loved the music. never read the book, but I thought the play was great.

[Gingold]

I'm really, really picky when it comes to musical theatre, so I was easy to automatically dismiss this musical because it just seemed like another poorly adapted/re-conceptualized commercial theatre juggernaut (i.e. Aida, Mamma Mia, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Little Women, Young Frankenstein, Spamalot...and on and on...), but the music's not half bad. It's not very good, either - it's definitely no "Ragtime" which IMHO is the best novel to musical theatre adaptation in the last 15 years - but, all-in-all, I might actually pay to see this someday. And hey, I'd much rather see stuff similar to this taking over long-term residence on Broadway over some hacky Webber shit.

Although, I've heard if you're a big fan of the Maguire book, this adaptation is really disappointing. I tried reading the book, but it just didn't catch my attention. I think the musical's watered-down story might appeal to me more.

Ragtime is indeed, quite awesome.

[Pól Rua]

I have a friend who's mad for it, but my 'author insertion character'-sense is tingling.

[noodleboy]

I saw it last year and thought it was superb. And I am not that big of a fan of The Wizard of Oz. I do agree that you probably won't be humming the songs from the show, but the story and how they tell it on stage more than makes up for it. I would definitely see it if you can.

[Hokeyboy]

It's the best musical your inner 12-year-old-girl will ever enjoy.


No but seriously, it's nice spectacle with some pretty memorable songs. It plays fast-and-loose with the filmed version of "Wizard of Oz" (if you don't like retcons, just look out) but this is really just a singing-and-dancing big-budget chick-flick.

[thespianphryne]

I'm going to be a big, fat downer here. I'm not a big fan of the show. I was very impressed with the production values: the lighting design was excellent I thought, and dazzling. But didn't care for the music or lyrics, or the book all that much. The thing that kept my interest was the chemistry between Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. But I thought on the whole the entity of the production was lacking heart. Any heart was provided by the two actresses.


-Das

[Merey]

I'm going to be a big, fat downer here. I'm not a big fan of the show. I was very impressed with the production values: the lighting design was excellent I thought, and dazzling. But didn't care for the music or lyrics, or the book all that much. The thing that kept my interest was the chemistry between Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. But I thought on the whole the entity of the production was lacking heart. Any heart was provided by the two actresses.


-Das


That's really why I haven't bothered to see it yet. I should have gone when it first opened. Oh well, it's better to miss this than something that I'm actually kicking myself for like Caroline or Change.

[thespianphryne]

That's really why I haven't bothered to see it yet. I should have gone when it first opened. Oh well, it's better to miss this than something that I'm actually kicking myself for like Caroline or Change.

Caroline was a good one. Sharp and exciting, plus, big heart and great chemistry between the actors. Especially the little boy and the maid.


-Das