WICKED (8/20 REVIEW)

[Derek2]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 7:28pm

I attended the 8/20 evening performance of Wicked. When I entered the Gershwin I was a little afriad that my seats would be too far away or that the sound would be too low (Row V, Orch). When I entered the auditorium my fears were gone. I had forgotten how beautiful and creative the sets were since January (the last time I saw Wicked). The first time however that I saw Wicked, I recall that I was not very pleased with the sets, I don't remember why. The show was beautiful! The lighting was beautiful! Everything was right on cue and moved VERY smooth. There is nothing like performing in front of a live audience (I know this from experience).The audience loved the show as did I. It is in my opinion the greatest show I have ever seen.
Let me start at the beginning: From the moment the prologue began my heart began to pound! The sound was great! It was loud and clear (I love loud shows...anyway...)The dragon was soooooo cool! The way this show opens is fantastic. There is not one dull moment. Whoever said Joe Mantello is a bad musical theatre director should think again...you try staging a show like Wicked, wow! I happen to think the ensemble in this show is the best on Broadway. The can dance, sing and act very well. The blend so nicely. JLT (when you just use her initials she sounds like some kind of burger lol)was great. She was a little weak in the opening number, but believe me she gets soooooooooooo good. At points she was better than Cheno (Popular was so funny. She improved a lot of it and there was a point when she had the audience laughing for about 3 minutes straight! I still cannot get over Idina. To perform a show like Wicked 8 times a week for almost a year now is quite a chore, but she must love it. It comes through in her performance. I must say she has the biggest mouth Ive ever seen lol. The sets on stage were also fabulous! It deserved the Tony it recieved. I also think the lighting design should have won as well. I didnt realize how good it was! Very coordinated with the music. Anyway Joey was good I think. Not great but then again I didnt think Norbert was great either. That part is underdeveloped in my opinion (the Wizard too). Oh, and I must say George is amazing! There's just one thing...when you're going don't expect him to play it like Joel Grey, he doesnt, but he still plays it very well. He's a great actor. As many of you know the song "wonderful" was recently updated for George. I personally like the updated version much better (by the cheers, I figure so did the audience). I think Winnie's adaptation of this book is great! How she managed to take a novel of that size and reduce it into 2 and a half hours of pure drama, comedy and entertainment is beyond me. The acting in this show is great. The dramatic pauses between Glinda and Elphaba are so....dramatic lol.
In conclusion, Wicked is great! No, better than great! The score, the book, the cast, the production staff. Ask anyone who was in that theatre last night, they'll tell you the same. I don't care what critics say about this show. It is moving and uplifting as well as sad. There is not one boring moment in this show, it just goes by sooo quickly. Once again, I recommend it. The new cast is just as good if not better at certain points than the old one. Idina is wonderful and def. deserved the Tony. It is such a hard role to play...every single night. She never missed a note. Sometimes she went beyond the note and made the song even more powerful. Defying Gravity is her greatest moment...as well as the shows I think. Go see Wicked! You will leave so alive! It's a magical journey that you'll never get tired of, believe me I could see it again and again. Don't sit there and critic and find all the little bad things or flaws about the show. Sure, there are some. It's live theatre. But never say Winnie's book or Stephens score is bad. It is so powerful. It doesnt have to be your favorite but appreciate it. I cant imagine how difficult it must be for them to work so hard to adapt this story and hear bad things about their work. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!
Updated On: 8/21/04 at 07:28 PM

[Glebb]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 7:34pm

Very nice review Derek2. I saw the show July 4 and though not a week goes by that I don't listen to the CD, the glow of the show has been fading away for me. You reminded me of what a good time I had.

[shakalakababy]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 7:35pm

I saw Wicked on August 16th fot the first time and i had no complaints. It was wonderful-one of the people i went with who had seen it before said that the new cast members were as good (some better Boq and Fiyero) as the original cast. To Correct you though, Idina has been doing the show for at least 3 years. (It was tried out in CA before it went onto Broadway)

[Derek2]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 7:47pm

OOOO yeah, thank you you're right! wow, she doesnt seem one bit tired! She's great. No matter what anyone else says, just to be able to do that! Even if she misses 1 or 2...even 3 notes in a show thats no reason to give up and call her bad like some people do.

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 7:51pm

great review.

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 8:11pm

i love reading these Wicked reviews on this message board! thanks derek, it was an enthusiastic review and i can't wait to see the show in december with the new cast!

[Derek2]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 8:24pm

Oh no! Believe me, you cant! lol :) it was verrrry entertaining...^obviously

[zoran912]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 8:31pm

J-La is a goddess. Enough said.

[WiCkEd4LyFfE]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 10:04pm

Thanks for your very detailed review!! BTW, love your icon zoran!!

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 10:10pm

I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm so happy that no one is slamming people for posting reviews, I love reading them. (even if they are Wicked related)