WICKED
So I got the chance to see Wicked performed yesterday. I must definitely say it was everything I hoped it would be, for the most part. Not QUITE as complex a story as I had hoped for, but still very nice.
Take a look behind the cut for a more in-depth review. (WARNING FOR SPOILERS!!)
If there was one thing lacking about the overall plot of the story, it was the Wizard's scheme to silence all the animals. In all honesty, I didn't fully understand why exactly he wanted that. I suppose plain old prejudice would be the easy answer, but he certainly didn't come off as a terribly prejudiced character, so...ehh. That's probably the one part that didn't do it for me. And heck, maybe that's something that is more elaborated-upon in the novel, which I kinda feel obligated to read now.
Of minor note, the role of Glinda was understudied for the performance I saw, and when I compared pictures of the normal actress in the program to the one I saw onstage playing the part for the night...visually at least, the understudy seemed to fit the role a LOT better. For the majority of the show, Glinda (or GAlinda, as she insisted half the time) was very much your typical airhead blonde, and that the understudy was far blonder than the normal actress really helped to accentuate that point.
Not that I didn't know it already, but the songs were absolutely amazing. Compared to the official soundtrack, it was a wash with me listening to how this performance tweaked them; some were better, some were not so great. But it was still great to hear them LIVE.
Speaking of songs, one of the coolest effects in the show by far was at the very end of Act One, during "Defying Gravity." Elphaba (The Wicked Witch, for those of you spoiling yourselves) was reaching the climax of the song, and at this point she's achieved flight, and to simulate it they hooked her up to a rising platform toward the back of the stage....except they managed to completely obsure the platform and crane with the backdrop of a huge black sheet, and the way it joined to the witch's back, it was seriously like the most badass "giant cape billowing dramatically in the wind" effect I'd ever seen. Kickass note on which to end the Act.
The origin stories of the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion were very unexpected - but pleasant - surprises. Tin Man's story in particular was really sad. (Poor Boq...)
I also thank the lord for the ending. When watching the original film, I always hated, even as a kid, the idea that the witch died by being hit with water. It was ridiculous, and entirely without explaination. So yeah, thank god it was all a ruse that played off a rumor a bunch of ignoramuses believed. (though I hear it's different in the book...guess i'll see, if I ever read it. x_X)
Aaaand I'm all talked out.
Overall rating: 8/10. Awesome show.
Take a look behind the cut for a more in-depth review. (WARNING FOR SPOILERS!!)
If there was one thing lacking about the overall plot of the story, it was the Wizard's scheme to silence all the animals. In all honesty, I didn't fully understand why exactly he wanted that. I suppose plain old prejudice would be the easy answer, but he certainly didn't come off as a terribly prejudiced character, so...ehh. That's probably the one part that didn't do it for me. And heck, maybe that's something that is more elaborated-upon in the novel, which I kinda feel obligated to read now.
Of minor note, the role of Glinda was understudied for the performance I saw, and when I compared pictures of the normal actress in the program to the one I saw onstage playing the part for the night...visually at least, the understudy seemed to fit the role a LOT better. For the majority of the show, Glinda (or GAlinda, as she insisted half the time) was very much your typical airhead blonde, and that the understudy was far blonder than the normal actress really helped to accentuate that point.
Not that I didn't know it already, but the songs were absolutely amazing. Compared to the official soundtrack, it was a wash with me listening to how this performance tweaked them; some were better, some were not so great. But it was still great to hear them LIVE.
Speaking of songs, one of the coolest effects in the show by far was at the very end of Act One, during "Defying Gravity." Elphaba (The Wicked Witch, for those of you spoiling yourselves) was reaching the climax of the song, and at this point she's achieved flight, and to simulate it they hooked her up to a rising platform toward the back of the stage....except they managed to completely obsure the platform and crane with the backdrop of a huge black sheet, and the way it joined to the witch's back, it was seriously like the most badass "giant cape billowing dramatically in the wind" effect I'd ever seen. Kickass note on which to end the Act.
The origin stories of the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion were very unexpected - but pleasant - surprises. Tin Man's story in particular was really sad. (Poor Boq...)
I also thank the lord for the ending. When watching the original film, I always hated, even as a kid, the idea that the witch died by being hit with water. It was ridiculous, and entirely without explaination. So yeah, thank god it was all a ruse that played off a rumor a bunch of ignoramuses believed. (though I hear it's different in the book...guess i'll see, if I ever read it. x_X)
Aaaand I'm all talked out.
Overall rating: 8/10. Awesome show.