It's Wicked good!

[Cadriel]

Posted: 10/13/03 at 1:25am

I dunno, just needed a cheesy post title.

I got to see Wicked this afternoon at the packed, massive Gershwin Theatre. I was near the front, but just looking back astounded me. Anyway, the show...

From the start, I was a little underwhelmed by some of the music. "No One Mourns the Wicked" grew on me quickly, though, and getting into the book of the musical was a wonder. Idina Menzel had a major power moment toward the end of "The Wizard and I," turning a decent song into a great one with her voice. "What is this Feeling?" was fun and witty; "Something Bad" was a little forgettable, as was "Dancing Through Life," but "Popular" was tons of fun. I really liked "I'm Not That Girl" even if it reminded me too much of "On My Own." "One Short Day" was decent, if yearning to be much more; "A Sentimental Man" was fun just because it was Joel Grey singing. "Defying Gravity" is a massive coup de theatre and practically deserves a Tony Award just for its lonesome.

The second act was structured more tightly than the first, which is really saying something. "Thank Goodness" was only amusing because it was played up so much like "Don't Cry For Me Argentina"; the song was blah. "The Wicked Witch of the East" was okay, and it's sad that Michelle Federer didn't get to sing more. "Wonderful," again, was thrilling just because of who was performing it. The "I'm Not That Girl" reprise was incredibly well placed; "As Long As You're Mine" is a thrilling love duet, and should be one of the score's classics. "No Good Deed" is only okay, and seems too long for what it's trying to do. "March of the Witch Hunters" was blah. "For Good" was really a touching theatrical moment. The "Finale" was suitable as such things go, certainly.

Though the criticisms of the choreography are accurate, the energy and direction of the show make up for it. And if the score has a couple more misses than hits, they're not painful misses in any case and the show works fine anyway. When the score does hit its mark, it does so with deadly accuracy and produces moments of magic. The book is an enrapturing delight, witty and a touch cynical without falling into jaded. A show with such good dialogue and such a strong construction dramatically deserves the Tony Award for it; if Wicked doesn't net the Best Book of a Musical Tony, it'll be a major mistake. And the physical production is wonderfully conceived and beautifully executed. I haven't seen such a good-looking high-end musical since Phantom.

Even though it doesn't have a solid gold score, Wicked is a stunning piece of live theatre. The performances are worthy to a one, rounding out what is simply an amazing choice for which show to see. I sincerely hope that it's a long-running hit; a show that good deserves no less.

-Wayne

[Auggie27]

Posted: 10/13/03 at 6:33pm

Astute observations, all. I was there yesterday as well, and found the house wildly responsive. I was happily on my feet as well. For the cast, the show itself. The score builds most effectively, but ... with so much sturm/drang about its drawback on first hearings in the ether (read other posts!)... I wonder ... wouldn't it benefit from an overture? To give us a taste of the pleasures in store? No one on any board has mentioned this, and the show -- an old fashioned "book musical," that's not sung-through -- feels like it would get off to a rousing start with a classic-sounding downbeat. I'd hit us between the eyes with a bracing instrumental chunk of "Defying Gravity," and let us know how emotional an full throttle the material is. Several other numbers would work effectively excerpted there as well. I think the plunge from house lights dimming into "No One Mourns" doesn't give us time to contemplate -- and have a taste of -- the magic ahead. It's not SWEENEY TODD.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 10/13/03 at 7:10pm

Auggie, you brought up a point I have not heard yet. I agree, I would like to hear an overture for this show. I always like to hear one to introduce me to the music I am about to hear, maybe that would be a nice little touch to add to that incredible score.

[Cadriel]

Posted: 10/13/03 at 7:27pm

Agreed on the overture remark - it would help tremendously, even if it were quite short. And I'm sure something could be extended in the beginning of the staging to make it interesting.

-Wayne