Is Wicked a "big" show. Because to the reviewer in Ft. Myers, it's not.
Is Wicked a "big" show. Because to the reviewer in Ft. Myers, it's not.
colleen_lee
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/16/05
#1Is Wicked a "big" show. Because to the reviewer in Ft. Myers, it's not.
Posted: 3/18/09 at 6:57am
I find this puzzling.
http://www.news-press.com/article/20090313/ENT/90313047/1070/ENT19
The show doesn't rely on spectacle? Really? If we took away the spectacle would anything even be left?
#2re: Is Wicked a 'big' show. Because to the reviewer in Ft. Myers, it's not.
Posted: 3/18/09 at 8:58amMaybe you need to re-read the very review you linked here .... it specifically praises all the non-spectacle aspects of the show.
#2re: Is Wicked a 'big' show. Because to the reviewer in Ft. Myers, it's not.
Posted: 3/18/09 at 9:16amPluss if you see the tour, the "spectacle" is cut in about half
colleen_lee
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/16/05
#3re: Is Wicked a 'big' show. Because to the reviewer in Ft. Myers, it's not.
Posted: 3/18/09 at 12:25pm
That's what I'm saying, the review says the show doesn't have a lot of spectacle. I'm wondering what show the reviewer saw, Wicked is all about specticale and unashamedly so.
And the difference in spectacle between the Broadway productions and the national tours is very minimal.
#4re: Is Wicked a 'big' show. Because to the reviewer in Ft. Myers, it's not
Posted: 3/18/09 at 12:30pm
"“Wicked” doesn’t center on a big visual effect, such as the chandelier crashing in “The Phantom of the Opera.” It’s not a “big” show in that respect, but it packs a big emotional payoff nonetheless."
Ha!
#5re: Is Wicked a 'big' show. Because to the reviewer in Ft. Myers, it's not
Posted: 3/18/09 at 12:40pmI've seen the show both on Broadway and on tour. I didn't find it to be "all about spectacle". It does have it's moments.
#6re: Is Wicked a 'big' show. Because to the reviewer in Ft. Myers, it's not
Posted: 3/18/09 at 12:46pm
“Wicked” doesn’t center on a big visual effect, such as the chandelier crashing in “The Phantom of the Opera.”
Actually, it does. Even Idina in her recent concert refers to Defying Gravity as "The Flying Song". Like Phantom of the Opera, it's the show's visual and emotional centerpiece which occurs at the end of the first act. I think both shows rely on these heavily theatrical scenes to provide an endorphin rush sufficient enough to last the audience through intermission. There's a reason Defying Gravity was staged and lit the way it was and it's not as if the effect is ever used again in the show.
poochie4
Chorus Member Joined: 12/4/08
#7re: Is Wicked a 'big' show. Because to the reviewer in Ft. Myers, it's not
Posted: 3/18/09 at 1:00pmI think the point is that even though Wicked it full of spectacle it doesn't rely on it. If you took away all the flashy effects, I feel you would still be left with a beautiful score, some amazingly touching songs, and a book with tremendous heart. Sure the sets and the costumes add a tremendous amount to the overall effect of the show, as any good sets or costumes should, but Wicked packs enough emotion without them. I think that is the point the writer is making.
colleen_lee
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/16/05
#8re: Is Wicked a 'big' show. Because to the reviewer in Ft. Myers, it's not
Posted: 3/18/09 at 2:13pm
But couldn't the same be said about Phantom and Miss Saigon. Without the spectacle both shows still have lovely scores and a plot that is far more coherent (and frankly, emotional) than Wicked.
In fact, I think both Phantom AND Miss Saigon still hold up well without the centerpiece effects, but I question whether Wicked without the cherry picker, or the bubble, etc. would be the commercial success that it is today.
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