WICKED the Musical vs. the Book

[Gorman52]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 8:23am

I apologize if this question has already been asked--does anyone know just *how* different the musical Wicked will be from the original book? I am a HUGE fan of the book, and am seeing the show in mid-November. I am a bit worried about the transition to stage, and am hoping the musical will retain some of the edge of the original. If anyone has info on this, it is greatly appreciated! :)

Thanks!
Christi

Posted: 9/30/03 at 11:25am

Hi Gorman...

From what I understand, the musical focuses much more intently on Elphaba and Galinda's relationship. Also there are some differences with regards to Nessarose being born without arms, (in the show she's got arms, but has no use of her legs). There is no mention of Turtleheart, and no mention of Fiyero's wife and children, (In the musical he doesn't have them). I'm not sure as to other really large differences, save for the ending, of course. Hope that helps!

[superperson]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 11:30am

This is really a shame. I hate when musicals do this to the source material. I guess because Broadway musicals simply cost such a fortune, risky musicals can't succeed on Broadway. Still, I miss edge. I thought Sweet Smell of Success was a brilliant adaptation of the movie, especially providing the gruesome ending that was really appropriate for the film and probably got passed over because of public taste. But hopefully the comic additions to Wicked will still make it an interesting, fun show.

Posted: 9/30/03 at 11:37am

I truly believe that even though there are changes made from the book that this musical is going to be great. You've got some amazing actors in that mix and, as a whole, I'm told the cast is fabulous! I truly enjoyed the music and some of the most beautiful and interesting of all are Elphaba's chants. Very cool.

[Gorman52]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 11:49am

Thanks so much for all the info! I was afraid they would change the story quite a bit. I'm still looking forward to seeing the show though.

Thanks again!
Christi

[Shawk]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 2:02pm

I saw the preview of the musical in San Francisco, and it is rather different from the book.

Turtleheart is completely missing. Fiyero is a totally different character, and we completely miss the whole part about visiting his wife. Nessarose is crippled as opposed to being armless. And the political/animal rights subplot is severely truncated and simplified.

I found it best to imagine the book as seperate from the musical. The musical is fun and amusing... it's like the lite version of the book. There's some added things that are really cute, and it stays true to what it is. I'm not saying that it's not good, but I'm not sure what people who really liked the book are going to think about it.

[Ron Pulliam]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 2:45pm

Let them think about this:

The play is only based on the book...characters in the book.

The play IS NOT A LITERAL ADAPTATION of the book.

And NO ONE ever claimed it was or would be.

That ought to satisfy the situation.

[Shawk]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 3:20pm

^ When you've got a best-selling book that was a rather dark take on politics and life, and then you have a sprightly musical that has more in common with Clueless than the source material, I think you are going to have some confused people.

No one's claiming the musical had to be exactly like the book. People are just wondering how different it is. I say they are very different, and I appreciate them as they are. It is possible.

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 3:23pm

I've yet to read the book, but I have heard Wicked and I LOVE the musical adaption. The songs give me chills and the script is hilarious.

[Gorman52]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 4:00pm

When someone takes an original work and decides to make it into a musical, that IMPLIES it is going to be the same story. Clearly, by even turning the it into a comedy, they've changed the story. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. As a fan of the book, I was hoping the play would retain some of the darker themes. I posted my question because I did not want to attend the show expecting to see the 'book.' I wanted to be prepared. I've heard nothing but wonderful things about this play, and while it will be vastly different from the original story, I am positive it will be highly enjoyable. With that cast, how can it not be?

Christi

[robbiej]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 4:07pm

I'm seeing the show on Nov. 4. I will reserve my judgement of the show till then.

I will say this for the book. What I found most special about it was its unwillingness to play it for camp. I was thinking I was going to get a frothy, campy telling of the Wicked Witch and instead, I got a densely woven, intricate novel that explored the concepts of good and evil, what makes someone 'other' and the loss of individual identity in a facist state.