Chicago Tribune Huge Wicked Article

Posted: 4/23/05 at 9:07pm

The Wicked Chicago run begins this week and the Sunday Chicago Tribune kicks off the press orgy with a massive article on the "Wicked Phenomenon" and even talks a bit about Wicked-haters and message boards that become Wicked-centric.

One of their unusual points is that while Wicked-mania runs rampant in New York and Toronto, high school kids in the Windy City have never heard of it. I think that will change this week when the run begins.

Anyway, it's worth reading. The link is not up yet, but I will post it tomorrow (subscription required, but free). Meanwhile Chicagoans can head down by Jewels and pick up a copy. There are some nice pictures of the touring production & cast and even a Gregory MaGuire interview about how it feels to be the Father of Wicked.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 4/23/05 at 9:12pm

Cool, can't wait till tomorrow morning.

[SimpleJoysHaveSimpleVoice]

Posted: 4/23/05 at 9:44pm

Don't leave us hanging Joe, we will see you tomorrow...soldier.

Thanks

Posted: 4/24/05 at 5:11pm

Sorry I'm late-- I actually had a life today for a change!


I didn't link it but there is also a short Maguire interview where he says that he wrote "Son of a Witch" (The forthcoming Wicked book sequel) out of his "Disappointment & Frustration" with the recent Presidential election.
Chicago Tribune Wicked Story

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 4/24/05 at 5:14pm

Broadway budget of "Wicked": $14 million

National tour budget: $10 million

Chicago production budget: $10 million

It seems that that is why the costumes are a little different.

Updated On: 4/24/05 at 05:14 PM

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 4/24/05 at 5:15pm

A sequel to Wicked, hmmm?

Wonder if Schwartz and co. are thinking of musicalizing it as well?

In the tradition of "Bring Back Birdie" and "Annie Warbucks," a musical sequel - interesting notion.

Posted: 4/24/05 at 5:34pm

Jai, when you factor in the costs of development in the orginal Broadway show, I think the budgets are pretty comparable. I'd be curious if more of an expert would weigh in-- How does that Wicked Budget compare to soem of the other tours out there?

[Theatreboy33]

Posted: 4/24/05 at 5:36pm

the fact that a theology student would devote a 25 page thesis to the Judeo-Christian themes in "Wicked" is kind of depressing to me. i suppose this has been what's always annoyed me with this show--people trying to find a deep theological/political/whatever underlying theme or message that simply does not exist. Had it, perhaps this show would have been more interesting. But as the article says, it has one appealing number that acts as a powerful albeit cliche self-impowering ballad that carries its entire success. And thats fine. But to attatch meanings and messages that dont exist to validate its existence is just pointless.

[dancersmom2]

Posted: 4/24/05 at 5:39pm

Dolly, they might make a sequel, but it would be hard to use Maguire's book, Son of a Witch, since Liir (Elphaba and Fiyero's son) doesn't exist in the musical version. Although you never know-- when there is the potential for big profits something might be worked out!

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/24/05 at 6:40pm

Thank you for sharing the article Joe. Well written. Was interesting to read that it was "fashionable" to hate the show at one point. Also interesting that a student was asked about the show and wasn't really familiar with it. Here in Denver, I was in a conversation just yesterday with someone who was given the book to read a while back. He asked me if I knew anything about this musical that was coming out or was brand new that was based on the book. I told him about the show and the tour coming to Denver in September and he said he wanted to see it if he could afford a ticket. He won't just DIE if he doesn't see this show. I think he may want to more when our local papers start covering it before it gets here and by word of mouth when it arrives. And that is probably how this show will sell well here in Denver. I would be suprised to see it sell out in advance. The only shows to do that here in Denver since I have lived here are, to my memory, Phantom, Le Miz and The Lion King. There probably have been a few more. The frenzy surrounding the Lion King was unbelievable. A lot of people know about Wicked here and some have even seen it in New York. Myself included. And we are all looking forward to its arrival. I wonder if it will have the same impact on the road that it is having in New York. My thoughts, and these are just my thoughts (!), are that it will get to some cities and will be "discovered" by some people who will rave about it and all those people who missed it will be praying it retuns so they can see it or will try to see it if they are in New York or another city. Practically all of the people I work with have kids that match the demographic that the show appeals to in New York. Not one of their kids has mentioned the show. And I would know because they come to me about anything dealing with theatre as they know I am active in the theatre here and are always asking if I can get tickets for them. Our new season was announced several weeks ago and was titled "Good & Wicked". Brochures are out with Kristin and Idina's faces on them, there have been inserts and ads in all of the programs for the past 2 months with Wicked as the centerpoint, the predominant color in the brochure is green and they are expecting a sell-out to be imminent. I have not noticed any more buzz on the show here since it was announced than there already has been. Which, as I implied earlier is nowhere near a frenzy. So it will be interesting to see what will happen when it arrives. I hope it does well here. I hope it sells out here. It is a fun show.

[ShuQ]

Posted: 4/24/05 at 7:05pm

I don't think you have anything to worry about. The Denver stop isn't until September...there is plenty of time to generate hype.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 4/24/05 at 7:33pm

HMMM wouldn't it be odd if Chicago gets a perm company and then has to fold cause the mania doesn't tranfer? No I am not jinxing - just wondering...

[DefyGravity23]

Posted: 4/24/05 at 7:49pm

I'm surprised not that many people know about it in Chicago. If Wicked ever stopped in my city (it's kinda small, but not that small) then it would cause more hype than any concert ever. Seriously, pretty much every music or theatre involved high school kid in my city has not only heard of Wicked but is crazy about it. I know many people that are planning on travelling 6 hours (me included hehe) to see it in Chicago.

Of course I think it's gonna take forever for to come here (if it ever does). In the past year we've only had Fiddler and 42nd street here - only for one or two performances too. *sigh* I wish I lived in NY.

[clarkstallings]

Posted: 4/24/05 at 11:56pm

I am predicting Wicked's sit down company to be a financial disappointment in Chicago. The reasons are many. Sit down companies have never fared well in Chicago, that's why none exist today. Chicago is not nearly the tourist town the New York is, and even with that, people do not go to Chicago to be entertained whereas theater is requisite for a New York trip (Wicked is a tourist show.) Lion King, which has name recognition above and beyond that of Wicked only handled a 39 week run in Chicago and didn't fully sell out. (Lion King folks, one the highest grossing animated film of all time) Sure Lion King is returning but it isn't nearly as long a run. For this Chicago company to make back its investment it is going to have to run to sold out houses for a year and a half and I don't see that happening. I'm not a Wicked hater, I just don't understand Broadway producers sometimes. When I heard about this sit down Wicked on the radio, I nearly drove off the rode at that thought. Eighty percent of shows fail because producers make decisions like these. I hope it proves me wrong, but I think Schwartz and Co. have overextended themselves and they are only going to regret it. Break a leg in Chicago!

[Khloe1313]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 9:38am

Hi! This is my first time posting. I just want to say that I live in the Chicago burbs. I am a non-teen Wicked fan. (I'm 29) I have to say that I know of many teens around here who can't wait to see Wicked. It is big with the drama kids. My neighboor's school is making a class trip out of it, as well as other schools around here. I just hope it wont be like a New Kids on The Block concert when I go in May. I am taking my daughter with. It will be her first "real" show. I have taken her to see some local shows that were wonderful. I got into Wicked because of Kristin Chenoweth. Too bad she is not touring! I know this will be a great show! We are going May 31st and then moving to Charlotte NC June 5th! It will be a hard farewell to this city. What a great place to live. I hope the sit down is successful, so I can come see it in December. I have a buch of 20 soemthing friends that want to go.

Posted: 4/25/05 at 10:46am

Yes, yes, Wicked is so little known here in Chicago that the announcement of the "sit-down" production rates front page news in both the city's major papers. This article was teased on the front page of the Trib and then was almost all the front page of the arts section. The original run sold out in a matter of days and had a $15M advance when the sit-down was announced. I think there is a small amount of anticipation here!!

Also, I love how Wicked's triumph makes perfect sense-- in hindsight! Turn back the clock to opening night- NO ONE would have predicted that Wicked would become the biggest hit in years. The reviews sure didn't hail the spectacular performance of Diva in ascension Idina Menzel.

[Khloe1313]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 10:55am

Yeah real unknown! I almost thought I wasn't going to be able to get tickets. I was sick when they went on sale (presale over the net) and forgot about it. When I recovered I was going crazy trying to get seats good enough for bringing a 5 year old. I got the middle back row of Dress Circle. I hope they are good. I have only sat balc at the Ford Center. I saw Hairspray there, and it was great. Hopefully my daughter has a good enough view!

[Glebb]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 10:57am

I so enjoyed the packed to capacity crowd singing Defying Gravity at Sidetrack yesterday. I couldn't even watch the screen I was so entertained by the patrons and even the hot masculine bartenders knew all the words.

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 11:02am

I was up at 6 am for the presale..then found out that it was a typo and it was 8 am they were going on sale *online*

3RD ROW YAY!!!

Kristoffer Cusick from third row...ahhhh:)

[Derek]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 11:38am

Im actually happy. Its good to see theatre and musicals making people happy and generating money. there hasnt really been a musical causing so much attention lately....besides rent and maybe the Disney shows.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 11:39am

clarkstallings, you are completely wrong. Only "Beauty and the Beast" tanked as a sit-down because Disney waited five years until after its Broadway debut to bring it to Chicago, and by then I believe the Lion King had just opened on Broadway and that's the show people wanted to see. Every other sit-down was really just an extended National tour (with the exception of "Show Boat" and "Ragtime", the latter collapsing with the bankruptcy of Livent). The Lion King WAS completely sold-out. It was Disney's decision to get the show moving, it could have easily stayed more than a year. And let's not forget the three sold-out years of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. "Phantom", "Cats", "A Chorus Line", "Les Miz", "Miss Saigon" all had very long lives in Chicago, but most were National tours and producers like to fill other markets as well (which is why there are always return engagements). While some shows might not fare well, the fact that the National Tour of "Wicked" was practically sold-out before tickets even went on sale to the public is quite a statement. Also, don't forget, the Oriental Theatre has over 2500 seats ( i don't remember the exact number). That means no matter what, on a daily basis more people will be seeing it in Chicago than on Broadway. Only time will tell. I think it won't be until the show actually opens as to whether or not we can predict how well it will do.

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 12:35pm

The Buell in Denver seats 2,834 people.

Posted: 4/25/05 at 3:02pm

Absolutely right Fosse-- The Wicked production in Chicago will have slightly lower ticket prices than NYC, but the theatre is larger, leading to almost identical grosses.

The Lion King run is especially impressive as it was so much later than the Broadway opening, and, unlike Wicked, Lion King Tickets were actually MORE expensive in Chicago.

[clarkstallings]

Posted: 4/25/05 at 3:19pm

Completely Wrong Fosse? I believe it is you who are completely wrong. Firstoff, Lion King premiered on Broadway 3.5 years after Beast, not 5 as you contend. Secondly, Lion King did really well, it did not sell out however towards the end of its run. Tom Schumacher would have loved nothing more than to have a sit down of Lion King but it clearly couldn't be justified based on its profitability. Furthermore, "long lives" in Chicago are not sit downs, they are just long lives. It's grand that Joseph had such a long run, but the other runs you speak of were some time ago, this is 2005 after all. Time flies when you are having fun I guess. I'm not saying Wicked is going to bomb in Chicago, just don't expect the Broadway level of sucess. This isn't a gripe to you this is just a general gripe I have with the folks who say "Wicked" did not expect the levels of success that it has received. If the producers did not expect this level of success (which I think they did), staging this show in this form would have been suicidal. The level of sucess it has received was and is the only way it has payed for itself. You can't make a $14 million dollar investment and expect anything less than a smash, otherwise you are basically telling investors "Uh, we don't know if it is going to pay for itself." In which case, you get no money to put in the show.

Posted: 4/25/05 at 3:46pm

Well, No producer opens a musical expecting it to fail. And I have no doubt Stephen Schwartz & Marc Platt had great expectations with Wicked, but beyond them I don't think there were many people who predicted this level of success. Watch the Wicked segment in "Broadway: The American Musical" where Julie Andrews narrates the opening night festivities and talks about the "mixed" reviews and then remarks wryly "And they can break even if they can sell out....for the next THIRTEEN MONTHS!!"

All Broadway shows are gambles. I'm just glad there are people willing to take them!