WICKED the Musical vs. the Book

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!

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.

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.

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^ 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.

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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