Mar 01, 2009 14:24
So my T shirt is a little big, that's okay. (Yes, I was a sucker and got one at the show, but it's awesome anyway and maybe it'll... shrink in the wash?)
Wicked is one of the best shows I've seen, hands down. I knew the music, so I wasn't sure how the staging would compare to how I'd pictured it. The scene changes were my favorite part, and I really liked all of the clockwork imagery. Beautiful sets, hilarious costumes and great actors who sang with voices that didn't take away from the character of the music. The Broadway adapters condensed the book really neatly and made it fairly black-and-white, which is essential for a 2 1/2 hour play, but I don't think it took away from the story.
One addition that i didn't like was the "secret happy ending" where Elphaba is (shhh!) alive and she and Fiyero escape into the sunset smoke at the back of the stage. That completely ruined and cheapened the bittersweet ending, and I feel like it was tacked on or something.
Part of me wants to believe that Wicked didn't come to Madison simply because they have "Appleton, Near Appleton and Far Appleton" on the map that they display as the beginning screen, but the truth is more likely that the Fine Arts Center in Appleton is just as nice (actually... it's nicer) than Overture, and Overture probably couldn't afford a shiny new Broadway production. Granted, they got Avenue Q, but that show was much less work as far as set is concerned (personally, I feel that Wicked should have won the Best Musical of 2005 over them).
Anyway, great show and I will go with anyone who wants to see it again anytime!! I think it has a semi-permanent spot in Chicago....
musical,
shows,
wicked