Problem at Wicked this afternoon.- Page 2

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/27/07 at 1:27am

I know The Phantom of the Opera has alternate blocking for certain scenes in case of mechanical error like if the boat doesn't come on and so fourth. I would imagine the "crouching" is rehearsed in the event that the cherry picker does not work. It just seems like they would have something a little more elaborate planned since, unfortunately, the only point of that entire scene is for Elphaba to take to the sky. Perhaps if the acting and music really was special it wouldn't be such a big deal. Even though the effect when fully functioning is still rather underwhelming.

[dls38]

Posted: 12/27/07 at 2:04am

"Perhaps if the acting and music really was special it wouldn't be such a big deal."

And because of this, it wasn't as big a deal as it could have been. In fact, I didn't even realize what was/was not happening until the very end of the number. I was too busy enjoying Stephanie's interpretation; she's an incredible performer.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 12/27/07 at 2:09am

"Three patrons asked for refunds at intermission."

Wow. Someone needs to tell these people that the show is about more than someone flying on a cherry picker.

Updated On: 12/27/07 at 02:09 AM

[legally_popular]

Posted: 12/27/07 at 2:16am

I kinda want to see it with her not going up too, lol.

If it was my first time seeing the show, I would probably be disappointed if she didn't fly, but I would never ask for a refund because of that.. that's just ridiculous.
Updated On: 12/27/07 at 02:16 AM

[maya5892]

Posted: 12/27/07 at 2:19am

Yeah, I really hate it when people get that way. So picky. The show shouldn't be about one technical error. And it's only natural for that to happen every so often. Jeez.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 12/27/07 at 3:24am

"Perhaps we're all hoping it's not another trapdoor incident."

No, sadly, i suspect that many of us were hoping it was something serious.

Oh, and ps, how do you do italics on these posts?

[dramaparoxysm23]

Posted: 12/27/07 at 3:56am

how do you do italics on these posts?

My PM window doesn't seem to want to work.
For italics, just put Shift+, and Shift+. with an "i" inbetween before the text and the same thing plus "/i" after the text.
(Sorry to write it out in such a roundabout way, but that's the only way I could get the instructions to show up.)

Updated On: 12/27/07 at 03:56 AM

Posted: 12/27/07 at 5:02am

I am also interested in what happens if Mary Poppins can't fly? That seems even more pivotal than Elphaba just because it is such an elaborate effect and the finale of the entire show not just one act. And I dunno, if Mary hadn't flown I would have probably wanted my money back, because just like Tarzan it was really only the effects and stagecraft that impressed me in that show. I wouldn't have asked for it though, I would have just been very disappointed. It seems like something you partially go for though, to see Mary fly. But I also went to see her jump through a chalk drawing and float on the ceiling for a tea party, neither of which I got...

[allofmylife]

Posted: 12/27/07 at 5:08am

.

Updated On: 12/27/07 at 05:08 AM

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 12/27/07 at 5:56am

Wow. The show is about so much more than someone flying on a cherry picker.

Is it really, i mean really, is it?

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 12/27/07 at 8:18am

"Three patrons asked for refunds at intermission."

--- I hope they did NOT get them. WICKED is not about seeing the cherry picker work... It's so much more than that.

"I cant believe this thread has 600+ views, as if it was something important."

--- myManCape, it IS important. To me, any WICKED fan and many others... espcially Steph, the rest of the cast and crew and the people in the audience at that specific performance. Your rudeness is what's not important.

ANNNYYWWAYY... I'm just glad it was nothing serious again considering that we recently had another unfortunate trapdoor/melting incident

Updated On: 12/27/07 at 08:18 AM

[AngActing]

Posted: 12/27/07 at 10:21am

Luckily, the three times on Broadway and one time on the West End -- the cherry picker has always worked. Nevertheless, I wonder why they didn't add a "rising platform" near the cherry picker, just in case of one malfunction (i.e. as obviously has happened more than once). Then they could just rise "Elphaba" up a few feet above the stage so no one has to 'crouch' down to look lower.

Not as interesting as the cherry picker. Still, I've done shows at many tiny theatre's across the country where we have to 'fake' flying scenes due to no fly space or insurance. We just put a platform on the stage to make the person a bit higher -- or a lift.

[LifeofTheParty2]

Posted: 12/27/07 at 1:36pm

I can't believe anyone would feel justified asking for a refund because of a technical malfunction. If you're paying 100 dollars just to see a woman hoisted in the air on a cherry picker, then perhaps you need to find more worthwhile use of your money. In any case, I have to say that after all the hype I heard from my friends before going to see the show, I was completely underwhelmed with the end of Act One in general. But God, if the thing didn't work and I was onstage, I would freak out.

[uncageg]

Posted: 12/27/07 at 1:45pm

Emponine, I thought the last incident was a stage traffic incident (The one with Ms Block) not a trap door incident.

[AngActing]

Posted: 12/27/07 at 1:47pm

Well, that said . . .certainly, in live theatre, and all of us who have ever done it have had moments with set, costume and actor malfunctions! [i.e. actors who come in three pages early, go blank or forget all area's of dialogue!].

In fact, I was in a play in Pennsylvania . . .portraying three characters. Due to one person going blank and then messing up six other actors on stage -- I never got on stage to play the first character! Although a short scene, and I tried to rush on and do it; but then, the crew went to the scene after (i.e. lights) and the other six actors found their place AFTER my 1st scene.

BACK TO WICKED:
Interestingly enough, no one on YouTube, apparently, has ever caught a night when when the cherry picker did not work. That would be interesting . . .

P.S. Of course, I have never and would never use my camera inside a theatre to illegally tape or photograph anything. Still, I do watch clips on YouTube when they get posted.

Updated On: 12/27/07 at 01:47 PM

[Miss Elphaba]

Posted: 12/27/07 at 5:53pm

She should just stand on Galindas shoulders and sing...

Ir would be more amusing if nothing else..

[Allshowsrock]

Posted: 12/27/07 at 8:08pm

Um WICKED is MUCH more then just the visual effect (Which btw IMO is a great effect) and everyone who is saying the music isnt that great really grow up. Sure to YOU it might not be great, but guess what its making 1.4 million a week, so obviously alot of people find the music special. I am really gettin sick of the immature idiots on this board.
Anyway, I heard they are currently working alternate blocking (better then just standing there singing and having the chorus behind Elphaba singing) so hopefuly if somin does go wrong they have more "umph" I guess you can say in the end of the song.

[Broadway_Bound_Star]

Posted: 12/27/07 at 8:11pm

That's why I LOVE live theatre!!!

[lfae]

Posted: 12/27/07 at 8:41pm

I saw Mary Poppins when she didn't fly. We were actually sitting waaaay on the right (stage left) and could see into the wings, and we could hear a bit of yelling and suddenly someone went "catch her!" and it looked like Ashley had almost fallen. She was lowered down onto a few guy's shoulders, pretty freaky stuff. Needless to say, she didn't fly after that - the Banks family just stood there and gazed out into where she should have been. That was the only time I've seen it so I don't know if it was done any differently, but I guess not? Sure, I was a little disappointed, but the rest of the show was so amazing that really, having her fly would have been a bonus.

The funny thing is, I've seen Wicked over a dozen times now and never once had a Defying Gravity malfunction. Yet the *one* time I see Mary Poppins..

[stella985]

Posted: 12/27/07 at 8:50pm

I'm probably alone in this, but I actually wish the Elphaba's didn't have to fly during Defying Gravity. I know it kinda is the point of the song, but still... I just find it distracting. I'd much rather watch the actress sing then watch the cherry picker and the disco lighting. I just think if you have a strong singer/actress playing Elphaba it's much more interesting to watch her then special effects. Unless, of course, she has a cold... then the "flying" comes in handy.

[basketcase]

Posted: 12/27/07 at 10:16pm

This has happened once so far that I know of at Wicked LA. Like others have mentioned, the ensemble just got very low. Supposedly, much of the audience didn't even know the difference.

[Allshowsrock]

Posted: 12/27/07 at 10:47pm

I actually think the lighting and the hydrolic lift adds to the song. I mean really the audince is only distracted for a second AS she rises, and the only line they might miss is "ITS MEEEE SO IF YOU CARE TO FIND ME!" and its really a defining moment for Elphaba. She is escaping from the Wizards grip over Oz, she is choosing her own path in life, so I think the flying adds not takes away, but yet again everyone has an opinion :)

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 12/27/07 at 10:51pm

"Is it really, i mean really, is it?"

Um...yeah?

[debee]

Posted: 12/28/07 at 8:27pm

I was at that show, 4th row center. This was the second time I saw Wicked, the first on a National Tour and I << was >> confused that she didn't fly. I wanted to ask someone after the performance but I couldn't find anyone that looked they worked there .. so I googled Elphaba.didn't.fly on my iPhone and up came this thread! I missed the flying but it didn't take away from the rest of the show which was solid. I would never have thought of asking for my money back!

[outdamnwench]

Posted: 12/28/07 at 10:12pm

"BACK TO WICKED:
Interestingly enough, no one on YouTube, apparently, has ever caught a night when when the cherry picker did not work. That would be interesting"

Actually, I'm pretty sure there was an audio of a show where the lift didn't go up (possibly Shoshana Bean, but I'm not 100% sure).

There's also one where Shoshana accidentally whacks her hat(which contains her body mic and mic pack) off when she's twirling around the broom. It's takes them a few seconds to transfer to her secondary emergency mic.

Although, youtube has probably taken down both video's. They're becoming increasingly strict about that.