Pros and Cons of Wicked!

[StephanieJBlockFan]

Posted: 1/3/10 at 12:41am

Hi there! =) Happy Holidays! This isn't actually StephanieJBlockFan. I'm his friend Katie and I wanted to know what are some of the PROS and CONS of Wicked? Should I see it or should I not? What's your opinion, let me know!! Thanks!

[TimesSquareRegular]

Posted: 1/3/10 at 12:45am

Try doing a search ..... you're a few years late with the questions.

[Radioactiveduck]

Posted: 1/3/10 at 12:52am

Pros: Amazing production values...costumes, sets, lighting, effects. You'll definitely see your money on stage. Score is very good, lots of power belting from Elphaba. Story is an interesting concept, and some of the Wizard of Oz parallels and homages are very fun. Very popular for a reason. A lot of people identify with Elphaba and her struggle for acceptance, and also the tumultuous but ultimately profound friendship between her and Galinda.

Cons: Script itself isn't particularly strong...can't quite decide between teeny-bopper, feel-good musical and deep challenging commentary on society's concept of good vs evil. Very long, 2:45 including intermission. Challenging to sing score can be unpleasant to listen to if Elphaba isn't in top vocal shape that day. Kind of cheesy at times.

If you've never seen it, I would definitely recommend you do. Like I said, it's popular for a reason.

[StephanieJBlockFan]

Posted: 1/3/10 at 12:57am

Thank you!

[jonmbway4652]

Posted: 1/3/10 at 1:39am

I personally am not a big fan of the show at all, but I will share my thoughts!

PROS: The only thing I like about this show is the orchestrations... The orchestra is loud and sounds full. The show itself is entertaining, but other than that there is not much to it in my opinion.
CONS: The design. I am not a big fan of the clock design. I do not feel like it was incorporated that well into the show considering it is only referenced once. I also thought that the costumes were a little to Dr. Seussish (the emerald city in particular). I think that show is a little to "fluffy", cute, and mindless, but I tend to enjoy darker shows more. I would have liked to have seen the production stay a little more true to the original novel.

I personally would not recommend this show... there are so many other shows out there that are way better. I would see Hair, Phantom, or Billy Elliot over Wicked any day.
Updated On: 1/3/10 at 01:39 AM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 1/3/10 at 1:47am

Your use of an exclamation point in your thread title would indicate you're exactly Wicked's demographic! Enjoy!

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 1/3/10 at 2:07am

Pros: Different take on a famous story, characters that everyone can relate to, story that everyone can relate to, excellent lighting, good sets and costumes, catchy song, fun effects.

Cons: Terrible book and lyrics, bad choreography, mediocre direction, two-dimensional characters, contrived and cliched plot.

[binau]

Posted: 1/3/10 at 3:39am

Cons: PRICE. I would NOT pay $140 USD to see this show!

(Thank god for the lottery!)

[blaxx]

Posted: 1/3/10 at 4:30am

CON: Every time you attend you'll exit the theater with way less brain cells.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/3/10 at 7:17am

Wicked is entertaining for most. It is full of spectacke (glitz and glamour). It is a sight to see. However, it REAllY is overrated. It definitely changed the underlying message of a terrific novel into a "family feel good" show. (to me a con)

I saw the show twice: once with the original cast and walked away mostly impressed, but never totally enthralled. I saw it again recently and was pretty bored. Since I brought my kids (my 13 year old was DYING to see it) and they both LOVED it. Even my 9 year old son said it was his favorite, and he's seen a great deal of b'way theater. So that alone speakes volumes.

I would never tell anyone NOT to go, as I said, it IS entertaining for most people. I just want people to know that is is NOT the epitome of greatness.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 1/3/10 at 9:03am

Before you see Wicked you should see some other shows on Broadway because in opinion there are MUCH better shows out there (Ragtime, Hair, In The Heights)


Wicked is successful because people get what they payed for, big cast, big sets, lighting, costumes, cool effects, etc.

And besides that there is not much else. Personally I only like about 4 songs from the show. The rest all sound the same and bore me. The story does not interest me personally (I am a guy though) and I thought it was not very original.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/3/10 at 11:21am

DCR, trying to tell someone whose screen name is StephanieJBlockfan to see something over than WICKED is an exercise in futility.

[MusicSnob1]

Posted: 1/3/10 at 3:11pm

This thread had so much potential.

Katie - save your $$ and your life... Don't go.