Review - WICKED at Shea's Buffalo - 5/14 8pm show

[zamedy]

Posted: 5/15/11 at 12:10am

Just returned from seeing WICKED at the beautiful Shea's Performing Arts Center. Here are just a few of my thoughts after seeing this touring production (third time seeing the show - last time I saw the national tour w/Carmen Cusack and Katie Rose Clark).

- JACKIE BURNS (Elphaba)- Absolutely AMAZING voice. Honestly one of the best voices I have ever heard grace the stage at Shea's. I can only compare her in this role to Carmen (whom I loved), and I thought she was solid. Her acting was best when she was singing (and then it was 100% convincing and mesmerizing). I wanted a little more conviction in her lines in Act One, and then I remembered that as the story goes on, she grows as a person and as the 'evil Wicked Witch of the West. Her next stop should be Broadway.

-AMANDA JANE COOPER (Galinda/Glinda) - Fun, cute, perky... everything you want in your Galinda. Beautiful voice and lots of fun.. although at times in Act One I felt like she was trying too hard to imitate Kristin Chenoweth (they look like they could be twins!). And if I'm being honest, 'Popular' was a bit of a let down for me in the laughter department. I did, however, really like her transition in Act Two, and both actresses did a wonderful job nailing the emotional impact of 'For Good.' I felt it and believed it.

Overall, a wonderfully talented cast that kept it all very fresh. But I do have to say that seeing WICKED for a third time really made me realize just how thin the book is at times, how incipid the score is overall and how.. well.. down-right bad some of the lyrics are. And don't even get me started on plot holes. Also - Act Two definitely drags along compared to Act One (as several people in my group of friends also pointed out). We really have to wait until "No Good Deed" to get a song that really stands out and makes you wake up. I pretty much hate every song the Wizard and Madam Morrible sing. None are particularly good or strong.. and stand-out for the wrong reasons (as if they were only put there do give them something to do) and not to advance the plot.

With all that said, "Defying Gravity" gave me chills tonight.. literally from the time of the lift until the very end. It was almost worth the price of my ticket alone. But ironically, I think this trademark song is also part of the show's overall problem with me. DG is clearly the climax of the show. Nothing in Act Two tops it.. which always leaves me wanting more. I've said this before on this board and this thought was confirmed again tonight - I can definitely see why AVENUE Q beat out WICKED for Best Musical in '03. The right show won that night.

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 5/15/11 at 1:44am

It was the 2004 Tonys, just an fyi! But thanks for the review. I can't wait to see Jackie play Elphaba!!

[ohjustjake]

Posted: 5/15/11 at 2:52am

I'm going to the Sunday night performance so I'm glad to read your review :) Glad to see it's in good shape.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 5/15/11 at 1:51pm

Jackie was better than Idina IMHO. The show is in amazing shape.

[steven22]

Posted: 5/15/11 at 1:55pm

Bring Jackie to broadway.

[FlyingMonkey1223]

Posted: 5/15/11 at 2:33pm

Jackie is good, but like many Elphies, doesn't go on that much. She has missed entire tour stops because of vocal issues.