Defying Gravity

So, I saw Wicked for the first time last weekend, and liked it (I have a brief review on my blog at http://dramastream.blogposse.com/2005/07/25/wicked/), but one question I had: at the end of the first act, Elphaba didn't actually fly. I know when I saw the song done on the Tony's last year she took off, so has that been cut from the show, or was it just a problem the evening I saw it. Thanks

Its still in the show. Shoshana (I'm assuming she was performing) probably could not get herself properly restrained in the lift off device (which is essentially a cherry picker). If she doesn't latch herself in properly and completely, the device does not operate as a safety precaution. Stuff like that happens in live theater.

there was a review here a few days ago where someone said shoshana couldn't get the safety bar to click properly, so she didnt fly.... just walked down the center of the stage and sang the hell outta the song. and when that happens the ensemble have directions not to come out at the end. Sorry you didn't get to see her fly, its pretty amazing if its the first time you're seeing it.

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Thanks everyone for the info. The fact that she didn't fly didn't affect my take on the show very much. It wasn't till after the show I said "hey wait a minute, wasn't she supposed to fly?" But I got the impact of the song from the performance. I still have mixed feelings on the show, but as I've listened to it 74 times over the past week, I'm coming around. :)