Posted: 9/18/16 at 10:37am
Ok-so having just left NYC I only saw shows on Broadway or in London (I spend a lot of time there). I now live in Florida and Wicked is playing in Tampa and Orlando. I LOVE Wicked-saw it on Broadway and in London. My daughter saw it in London at age 5. We'd both like to see it again-is it worth seeing it in Tampa or Orlando, or should I just wait till we are back in NYC this summer.
Posted: 9/18/16 at 11:40am
There are very few differences between the tour and the Broadway production. I would see the tour in Florida and then see something new when you go to NYC, maybe something that you won't get a chance to see in Florida.
Posted: 9/18/16 at 12:20pm
Amanda Jane Cooper, who is the Glenda on the tour is really wonderful, I thoroughly enjoyed it and saw it 3 times when it was here in Southern California. Tours can definitely be hit or miss, but Wicked's is top notch.
Posted: 9/18/16 at 12:38pm
I agree with TheGingerBreadMan. See a different show in New York. I last saw the Broadway production in July and found the ensemble to be lacking in energy as compared to their touring counterparts.
Posted: 9/18/16 at 8:16pm
Thank you-I really appreciate the responses. When I saw it in NYC Ana Gasteyer was Elphaba and wonderful. I honestly don't know who was in the London production but it was great. With this feedback I think I am actually going to sign my daughter up for the offering through Girl Scouts in Tampa where she gets to learn choreography from the show, see the show and then there is a talk with some of the actors.
Posted: 9/18/16 at 8:41pm
That sounds like it would be lots of fun and very educational for your daughter. I would sign her up for that in a heartbeat.
Posted: 9/21/16 at 11:10pm
From what I've seen online, Wicked tours wonderfully! I'm sure they've gotten it down to a science by now, but I've always been fascinated as to how they go about touring a show like that (with all of those huge set elements like the Dragon). Looks just as cool as the production at the Gershwin!
Updated On: 9/21/16 at 11:10 PM
Posted: 9/21/16 at 11:23pm
Once you realize that most of the scenic elements are foam and or lightweight, it makes more sense! The Dragon is gorgeous and impressive, but it's not as "heavy" as it looks.
Posted: 9/21/16 at 11:43pm
Great point, RippedMan! Does make a bit more sense - last time I saw Wicked (summer '08 with a camp group, been meaning to take a trip back) I was up in the mezz and thought for a bit before the show started about how difficult it would probably be to take some of those elements - the dragon, the Wizard's animatronic head - on the road. But if a lot of the scenic elements are more light-weight than they look (and kudos to the designers for pulling that off) it definitely would make taking it on the road easier!
Posted: 9/22/16 at 7:22am
I'm in the minority here, but I think Wicked at the Gershwin is a completely different experience than seeing the show on tour. In fact, I never actually "got" the hype surrounding Wicked until I saw it at the Gershwin. The built out scenic design that extends into the house is a wonder to behold. I saw the second national tour about a year ago and found it overall to be rather weak.
Posted: 9/22/16 at 7:39am
Thank you-I appreciate the feedback. I think I am going to have her do the workshop in Tampa through Girl Scouts and then we'll both see the show. It's a unique experience. I am almost a 100% sure that sooner or later we will see it again on Broadway.
I do appreciate all the responses.
