Question aboutthe technical aspects of the Wicked set

[winston89]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 8:15pm

I was just wondering. I know that all the major parts of the wicked set are fully run by computer. I am talking about things like the lift in Defying Gravity and the trap door in the melting scene and right before No Good Deed. But, I saw the show on tour and it made me think.

I saw the show on tour. And, during the melting scene I got the impression that during the melting scene Elphaba just walked off stage while the scrim showed the usual projections.

Granted, I don't know for sure if this is done on tour. But, I began to think that it was done that way due to the fact that they had to alter some things because of no trap doors ( Things like Elphaba's entrance for No Good Deed.)

That being said, is it possible/would it be safer if she just walked off stage during the projection instead of having to ride the trap door lift.

I only ask because Wicked is known for having the most dangerous set on Broadway and there have been at least two reported injuries in the melting scene ( Idina's and Block got her leg caught in it. Still finished the show.)

[Elphabuff2]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 10:22pm

I never heard SJB "got her leg caught in [the trap door mechanism]".

The only incident like this that I've heard mention of is Shoshana getting her foot caught between the elevating lift and the stage upon her entrance for "No Good Deed." I thought Stephanie's only injury/injuries were sustained in Toronto when she was being lowered in on wires for the beginning of "No Good Deed" during tech rehearsals.

Any more info. on Stephanie's trap door accident?

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 10:44pm

The last I heard, they had changed it to be like the tour, where she just walks off and the melting is projected.

[wickedmenzel318]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 12:05am

The tour is not projected. There are actors that play each character. I remember seeing the girl that plays Dorothy run on. And Elphaba just melts down to the ground then runs off. That is it

[TheatreFreak05]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 12:12am

what about for the LA production? It looked projected to, me but I could be wrong. It certainly does not look like the one on Broadway.

[dshnookie]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 12:16am

saw the tour here in Boston back in Oct. and sat on th extreme left (lottery seats) and could see behind the curtain - no one runs on as Dorothy, it is a projection.

Updated On: 2/27/08 at 12:16 AM

[defyingravity07]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 12:18am

The the melting is donw live in all the productions hte same way. They do the seen then as she melts she acts like she is melting by getting closer to the ground the lights go out and she runs off leaving the hat. The tour doesn't use a trap door at all, she runs in on NGD, and comes in from melting use a magical appearing well.

[TheatreFreak05]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 12:21am

I like the projection better. It is a crsiper image and you can actually see Dorthy pouring the bucket. In the Broadway production you just kinda see Elphaba swing her cape around while a few shadows dart past.

*EDIT*
oh so it's not a projection? Updated On: 2/27/08 at 12:21 AM

[dshnookie]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 12:24am

Not completely convinced the melting isnt a projection, but whatever.

[basketcase]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 12:35am

It's not projection in LA or on the tour. Unless they've changed something recently.

[wickedmenzel318]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 1:07am

I cant remember what her name was but I did know the girl that played Dorothy. There is a costume backstage and all if you go so there ask to see it. Victoria Matlock pointed it out to me when I went. I am sure it is not projected and it looks a little different each time

[Joshua488]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 6:27am

The melting is not a projection. Until recently, the actress playing Elphaba would be lowered under the stage on a trap door, hence Idina Menzel's infamous injury when the trap door was already lowered before she stepped on it.

Now, the actress playing Elphaba steps away from the light to make her silhouette appear to be getting smaller and she, basically, crouches to the ground to give the illusion of her melting.

The only part of the melting that isn't live is the scream, which is prerecorded for each actress.

[winston89]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 6:38am

I had thought that on tour due lack of space for a trapdoor. It's a projection and she walks off stage.

So, are you saying that they don't use the trapdoor anymore in that scene and she just walks off during the Broadway production as well as on tour.


When I last saw the Broadway production earlier this month via lotto. It clearly looked as if it was a projection and not anything done live.

[Justin D]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 7:27am

as far as i know the only projection in that scene is the little puf of smoke thing that looks like a mini tornado after she melts.

but funny thing on tour is she still has to pop out of something in the floor, and it it veru pbvious when they are in a theatre that does not have room for the trap because then the trap is elevated and it actually looks like she is coming out of a small box.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 8:46am

Yea...I'm still gonna say that it's a projection, and the costume is for backup when it doesn't work.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 9:22am

Another intelligent WICKED thread

Recently, Steph had trouble during the December 13th show and hurt her arm during the melting scene.

I think it's getting so they are working more with projections and avoiding the trapdoor. I've heard they are trying a couple things, so one audience may see one thing, another might see another.

[Popular]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 9:43am

EponineAmneris - it was actually her hand, and it happened accidentally when she WALKED OFF (no trap door) after the melting scene.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 10:02am

Ah, it was her hand. Was going on my memory of what I heard Thank you, Popular

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 11:17am

How do you hurt your hand walking off stage?

[bwayguy22089]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 12:00pm

It used to be that Elphaba would melt down in a trap door. Once Idina got hurt, they changed that. From then on, in any production, the woman playing Elphaba starts to melt and the light fades out just before she gets to the floor. Also, whoever is the Glinda understudy usually plays Dorothy. It isn't a projection.

[obsessedjb]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 12:08pm

husk_charmer, There was some sort of traffic incident with a one of the guard's spears apparently.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 1:07pm

Husk,

It is not a projection.

It IS done live with an actress playing Dorothy. When she throws the 'water', Dorothy moves closer to the light to seem to grow larger, while Elphaba swings her arms around and moves closer to the drop cloth so she appears to 'melt'.

The only projection is the green 'tornado' of smoke.

[Justin D]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 2:57pm

totally random, but isnt the little green tornado of smoke funny? next time you see the show watch it closely and at the end when it dissapears there is one more tiny puf, like an after fart, lol.

[bwayguy22089]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 3:21pm

Hahaha, I have noticed that. It does remind me of a fart lol. Cute.

P.S. - Who is the actress playing Elphaba in your picture? Thanks
Updated On: 2/27/08 at 03:21 PM

[winston89]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 3:34pm

It does make sense that the actress playing Elphaba walks right off. And, I can see how they can use the light/where the performers are located to make it look eiather smaller or close up.

I had assumed that she (actress playing Elphaba) just walked off. When I saw the tour that is what I had thought because there are no trap doors.

I didn't realize that they started using this practice on Broadway as well.