WICKED - why did the critics give it mediocre/bad reviews? ?

[wickedfan2]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 9:52am

Having just seen Wicked for the first time several weeks ago and going AGAIN August 12.. I started reading every "wicked" article from the press. Don't they feel Stupid now? They said Cheno was the only good thing about it..they said Idina had a powerful face but deserved better. they said the songs were pop-ish and not broadway enough..

Were they drunk or WHAT? I feel like writing to each and every critic who said Wicked would NOT take off... Don't you?

[Spooky]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 9:59am

I've seen the show a few times and I still don't like the show that much, but the two girls performances make up for the lack of direction.
The story is just all over the map trying to stuff things in as filler. The fact that they took a couple of months to re-tool between SF and NYC is the equivalent of a Hollywood movie getting moved back (kiss of death)
But just because a show is not critically acclaimed doesn't mean it won't be a commercial success.
Critics write (some of them) from the art form point of view. And let's face it, Wicked was produced by Universal Pictures and does have more of a slickly marketed, PR driven machine feel than your average Bway show.

[FinnFanatic]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 10:00am

I think you'll be surprised by the responses some people on this board may give to this post. While I love Wicked as much as the next, I do accept that it has several weaknesses and flaws. If you read some of the posts about Wicked here, you'll see that there are MANY people who absolutely HATE it (as well as die-hard fans). It has great audience appeal, but isn't necessarily a "masterpiece".

[wickedfan2]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 10:02am

Spooky - Thanks for much for your post. I see your point about critically acclaimed vs. commercial success. I just loved the songs or should I say the way Cheno and Eden SANG the songs. I've only heard Idina on the CD but am anxiously awaiting Aug. 12.

[wickedfan2]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 10:07am

FinnFanatic - Thanks for the reply. I don't go much to broadway shows thus I'm just your average joe and can appreciate the responses from people like you guys that have more experience in art, music, broadway.

Figures...I LOVED Pippen, hated CATS and last show I saw before Wicked was Lion King which was just a "visual" beauty but kinda boring....(sorry LK fans)

[G]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 10:33am

I think the press treated it quite fair. The songs are uneven, and the second act is such a let-down. I don't think any critic will feel stupid about their review.

[BWayBoy88]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 10:41am

Pippin not Pippen. Sorry that just really annoyed me.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 10:41am

The fact that they took a couple of months to re-tool between SF and NYC is the equivalent of a Hollywood movie getting moved back (kiss of death)

I thought most shows that did out of town tryouts did that? I wasn't aware of any show that closed out of town on the Sunday and then started Broadway previews on the Tuesday. And the movie comment isn't *always* true either. Titanic was bumped from its summer release to Christmas and we all know what happened there.

[wickedfan2]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 10:45am

G - I appreciate your honest response. I wonder why I loved it so much?!! lol...I honestly think its the songs or perhaps because The wizard of Oz was my favorite as a child.. oh well..

.what play has been critically acclaimed AND a commercial success lately? What play is considered "The true artform of broadway" today?

[wickedfan2]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 10:47am

broadway - OOPS... SORRY...I should have known that...

[Spooky]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 10:48am

but Titanic wasn't re-tooled, it just wasn't finished.

[sean martin]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 11:45am

Spooky, it's just not that good a show, period. It has some great visuals and a wonderful cast, but that's all window dressing to cover a mediocre score and an uneven libretto.

Posted: 7/22/04 at 11:56am

Wicked has some good numbers, none of them put to justice on the album, but the book is really good!! i think the chagne from Book to Musical was horrible! (sry) The book was amazing (though at times perverted) but the musical doesn't do it justice!

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 12:00pm

what play has been critically acclaimed AND a commercial success lately?

Proof. Am I right in thinking it was the longest running original production of a play since Torch Song Trilogy?

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 12:30pm

They didn't say that it wouldn't take off. They gave it mediocre reviews because it is, in truth, a mediocre show. Though the fans are/were passionate about Idina and Kristin and built the show up to be the most fabulous thing ever placed on a stage, the production is very flawed. Yes, it is an enjoyable show, but the book, score, choreography, blocking, etc are exceptionally mediocre.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 12:33pm

what play has been critically acclaimed AND a commercial success lately?

Avenue Q. Without question, it received the best reviews for a musical this season, and it is the only one thus far to recoup its investment and make money.

What play is considered "The true artform of broadway" today?

That depends on how people define "artform." Caroline or Change received mixed-to-positive reviews, but everyone pretty much agrees that it has fine artistic virtues. Assassins as well. Big River also received huge acclaim for its unique and inspirational staging.

Updated On: 7/22/04 at 12:33 PM

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 12:42pm

Yes, but they are musicals. Not plays.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 12:47pm

Long Day's Journey Into Night was both, if I remember correctly. Raisin in the Sun wasn't critically acclaimed (except for the three actresses, really), but it did very well. Thanks Diddy!

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 12:51pm

Oh - When wickedfan2 asked about "plays," I assumed (s)he meant musicals (rather than "straight plays"), since that's what the topic is about. So about straight plays:

Raisin in the Sun is both critically acclaimed (except for the lukewarm response to P. Diddy) and commercially successful.

I don't remember the reviews for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, but I do know it recouped its investment.

About the "true artform of Broadway": it's been over a decade, and the theatre community is still feeling the artistic repercussions of Kushner's Angels in America (it helps that it's now an HBO movie). People have and will continue to look back on it as an landmark on Broadway's straight-play scene.

Updated On: 7/22/04 at 12:51 PM

[Becky]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 1:06pm

Les Mis received terrible reviews initially - so take critics' thoughts for what they are worth. Every review you read was that one person's opinion - good or bad - and they don't necessarily reflect the thoughts/feelings of the audiences. Just as you will have those that like/dislike the show, you'll have people that agree/disagree with what is written about it.

[Plum]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 1:10pm

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof got not-so-good reviews for its Maggie and Brick, Ashley Judd and Jason Patric. But they recouped because they're, you know, Ashley Judd and Jason Patric.

Les Mis got bad inital reviews? Huh. I'll have to look that up. Updated On: 7/22/04 at 01:10 PM

[robbiej]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 1:10pm

Although Les Miz did get quite a good review in the Times. Just puttin' it out there.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 1:24pm

I'm a huge Les Miz fanatic, so I can answer this:

The story about Les Miz getting initial bad reviews isn't quite true. When it opened in London (with no big marketing hoopla, mind you), a few major London newspapers dismissed the show, saying it was a butchery of Victor Hugo's novel - that was their main criticism (that a musical version of Les Miz shouldn't be attempted), and they didn't really review the show itself.

Cameron Mackintosh thought this would kill the show, but instead ticket sales boomed due solely to word-of-mouth (so much so that they had to move theatres, from the Barbican to the Palace).

When Les Miz got to New York, it received universal acclaim from all the major newspapers and became a Broadway phenomenon, winning 8 Tony Awards.

So in summary, Les Miz was "dismissed" by London critics (not really the same as a pan), and received rave reviews from New York critics.

Updated On: 7/22/04 at 01:24 PM

[wickedfan2]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 2:21pm

Bluewizard - I DID mean musicals as I'm not much of a "drama play" person. Is Q considered a musical or drama?

Sorry but I'm new to these types of boards and am quite fascinated by all the information you guys give.

I can't even figure out how to do one of those nice icons or pictures or whateva you call it that everyone has next to their name. If so I would have a Cheno/Idina one. I know its O/T so if someone can send me a pm on how to get one I'd appreciate it.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 2:27pm

LOL, Avenue Q is definitely a musical, and I recommend you see it! It's hilarious and heartwarming at the same time.

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