An unapologetic posting of a REVIEW of WICKED from HOUSTON CHRONICLE

[Popular]

Posted: 10/28/05 at 12:54pm

"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

[HouGuy77002]

Posted: 10/28/05 at 1:18pm

Saw it last night...and I totally agree with the review. Great show, but it does have some plot holes. Act 1 finale was really wonderful live.

[theatreboi11]

Posted: 10/28/05 at 1:19pm

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

[HouGuy77002]

Posted: 10/28/05 at 1:22pm

I don't think the Grammys are always an indication of how "good" something is. I mean even Christina Aguilara won a Grammy. Just my opinion.
Updated On: 10/28/05 at 01:22 PM

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 10/28/05 at 1:36pm

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.

[Popular]

Posted: 10/28/05 at 1:52pm

houguy - care to share with us your experience in more detail?

[uncageg]

Posted: 10/28/05 at 2:04pm

I think the score rocks. Period.

[Calvin]

Posted: 10/28/05 at 2:13pm

*GASP* I'm posting on a Wicked thread. And not being snarky about it!

I'm actually seeing this production in a few weeks when I visit my parents, who haven't seen it yet, in Houston. Everett Evans is usually pretty accurate in his reviews (except when it's anything ALW, and then he almost always automatically trashes the piece without even paying much attention to the show itself). Glad it's holding up, and I'm looking forward to seeing Carol Kane.

[Urban]

Posted: 10/28/05 at 2:14pm

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!

[Popular]

Posted: 10/28/05 at 2:20pm

cockles of my heart? LOL

[Riff2]

Posted: 10/28/05 at 2:36pm

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.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 10/28/05 at 2:46pm

"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. "

Sweeney has been a hit or miss. I find it to have been pretentious and confusing, and I'm very familiar with the piece. The cast is what holds this production together, despite the lack of direction. Wicked, while overproduced and overhyped, certainly doesn't take itself too seriously, and other than the few teens who probably haven't seen any other show, I don't believe anyone has called it the best we have to offer. Once again we hear the cry of the dying art form that is Broadway, which began when the art form began. And for the so-called golden age, it probably produced more flops than are produced today, and only a handful of the musicals produced back then are considered worthy.

Oh, and I disagree about Kristin and Idina...Meg Hilty is ten times funnier than Chenowith and Ana Gasteyer makes Idina look like a community theatre reject. Updated On: 10/28/05 at 02:46 PM

[HouGuy77002]

Posted: 10/28/05 at 2:48pm

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

[BroadwayRandy0711]

Posted: 10/28/05 at 2:48pm

I have not seen it here in Houston yet, I go on Sunday. However, a friend of my saw it opening night on tuesday and then heard my OBC recording and said that she thought that the touring cast did a better job then what she heard from the original cast CD. She said that you can actually hear a difference in the singing between Stephanie and Kendra and they do not sound monotone or like one person as does Idina and Kristin. She said that all of the characters were awesome and this now ranks #2 or #3 on her top 5 Broadway shows. This is her opinion and not mine. Mine will come on Monday. After seeing it in NYC I am curious as to how this production will be.

[Popular]

Posted: 10/28/05 at 3:00pm

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 :)