An unapologetic posting of a REVIEW of WICKED from HOUSTON CHRONICLE

"All other strengths and weaknesses considered, it is chiefly Block's Elphaba and Kassebaum's Glinda who cast the magic spell that keeps Wicked aloft."





FULL ARTICLE

Updated On: 10/28/05 at 12:54 PM

Call me crazy but I think the score makes the show! It did win a Grammy!

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Ah yes. When I hear the opening of No One Mourns the Wicked, I think "generic pop". I think it's slightly ironic that this reviewer complains the music is too pop and isn't timeless enough, then immediately says Popular (one of the most pop songs, in my opinion) is the best song.

Sorry, but people have been complaining Stephen Schwartz was "too pop to be timeless" since Pippin, and 30 years later, people are still doing that show.

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I think the score rocks. Period.

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Darn that Houston... always clogging up the boards, Houston this, Texas that...

Seriously that review is pretty wild... I have to agree with the above poster in the guy wasn't all that consistant, complaining about 'pop' but liking "Popular"?

Saying that I adore Stephanie and the cockles of my heart are warmed every time somebody mentions how great she is!

I saw the show with Idina and Kristen and frankly, they WERE the show. I am baffled why pople enjoy Wicked. The book that the show was based on was brilliant. The book of this musical is spotty, the lyrics juvenile and the music not much better than something off a Britney Spears album. After seeing the new poduction of Sweeney which IS truly spectacular, I fear for the future of musical theater if Wicked is the best we have to offer.

Hey Popular...I went to the show having heard the soundtrack and having read a few reviews over the years, but I in no way considered myself a "fan" of the show, so I was pretty open to anything.

I was really awestruck by the production. It was a huge spectacle and really made the show!! The lighting especially.

Stephanie and Kendra were in great voice. The dynamic between the two was great. Their harmonies were very tight. In fact, I didn’t really notice too many intonation problems…which gets an A+ in my book.

Although I thought Carol Kane sounded a bit hoarse / tired, her acting was spot-on. I even felt a bit scared near the end of Act I when she was ordering the guards to capture Elphaba. I didn’t really care for Derrick Williams’ Fiyero…no real reason…just a matter of taste.

There was a funny little misstep in Act II. Kendra was twirling her wand when the streamer thing on the end came off and flew into the pit. It disrupted the action for a few seconds, but it was fun for the audience. That Kendra is hilarious!!!

Not that I am saying the show isn’t long enough, because 3 hours is plenty long, but the ending felt a bit rushed to me and left some unanswered questions. As the review mentioned, the issue of why the animals were being striped of their rights was never fully explained or resolved. Also, did Elphaba ever learn that the Wizard was her father? I would have like to have seen that reaction.

Overall, I really enjoyed the show and would see it again.

Updated On: 10/28/05 at 02:48 PM

Houguy - thanks!

Carol Kane makes no secret of not being a singer so she definitely uses her acting to her advantage. And that scary part you speak of, I know EXACTLY what you mean! She really works that monologue, but especially those last two words! Yes the show has a few plot holes that are left unanswered but being that the story takes place in a fantasy world I don't think it should take away from the overall enjoyment... I mean if you are leaving the theater going " a child of both worlds? They never introduced the two worlds!" or asking yourself why Elphaba with all her powers couldn't degreenify herself you've sort of taken it a bit too seriously in my opinion. Glad you enjoyed it!

BroadwayRandy - looking forward to hearing how you liked it as well :)