Why Did Wicked Lose Best Musical? — Page 2

BroadwayConcierge said: "icecreambenjamin said: "Wicked [is] commercial nonsense. There's nothing remarkable about it aside from it's production design."

That's pretty harsh and I would say rather untrue. I think it's easy to classify Wicked as commercial junk now that it's been running for almost 14 years, but the book and score itself is pretty wonderful. Needs tweaking, for sure, but I think it has a ton of heart.

I disagree. I've seen it a couple times now with a variety of people and I always leave the theatre remarkably unmoved by it. The score has always seemed dated to me and the lyrics range from passable to horrific. The book, while decent, is a bit messy and in a year of better and original books (without source material) Wicked was not my favorite. Yeah, For Good is a sweet song and all, but I would argue that it doesn't have any real organic emotion. I sobbed throughout the entire second act of Caroline, or Change because it was real, raw, and deeply human. Even Avenue Q had it's sincere moments such as For Now. Wicked has always felt incredibly clinical and santized IMO.

I guess I've always thought of it as a combination of a lot of the things mentioned above. Avenue Q got glowing reviews whereas Wicked got decidedly mixed. There was definitely a David vs Goliath impression at the time, and the Producers of Avenue Q nudged that along with the "Vote Your Heart" campaign. If I remember correctly, Wicked had already been doing really well at the box office, so the consensus was it didn't need the bump the TONY would give them. Additionally, it was something that everyone assumed would tour well without having that distinction. If it had toured, the thought was that Avenue Q would need that extra marketing tag. And Caroline, or Change was not something that would have toured well at all then, so lost the road vote.

It was an interesting year, that's for sure. I remember assuming that Wicked would win and being frigging thrilled that Avenue Q did. I even remember it taking a minute for my brain to catch up with the fact when they announced it.

broadwaysfguy said: "PS the tony "people" have always hated Stephen Schwartz, so that probably didnt help... IMO he has composed some beautiful songs and strong scores, and I really liked the Pippin revival"

True, he's never won for Best Score... but that's because he was up against shows like A Little Night Music, Annie, and Les Mis. Not sure why you would think he's hated by the Tony "people."

Updated On: 4/14/17 at 02:50 PM

I like the sets and costumes a lot in Wicked- They're pretty faithful to the 1939 film and the world of Oz is a very strange and twisted one (especially in McGuire's novel), so they aren't going to necessarily be beautiful, although I feel like some of them are ravishing(Glinda's outfits, Elphaba's witch costume, and Fiyero's Act 2 suit).

Still, the show isn't perfect- The music's orchestrations make the score sound like it was written in the 80's and some of the lyrics are mediocre, especially For Good. I'm Not That Girl is very relatable of course, but is kind of an awful song at the same time lol. The story could have been a little more complex and thought out, Act 2 mainly. Like why does Elphaba have like no other support helping her fight the wizard? No matter how powerful she is, she would need support to actually fight the Wizard and be taken seriously. The whole rebel underground movement from the novel could have been included in a different way. I also wish Nessarose's character could have been more fleshed out.

But the show is a major part of my childhood and you end up enjoying it none the less despite it's obvious flaws and the fact that it does feel a little dated now.

The 2007 Documentary ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway depicts the "upset" as it happened in 2004 as well as chronicles the the paths to Broadway of Wicked, Avenue Q, Caroline or Change, and Taboo. Its can be found on Youtube and is a very interesting watch.

Soaring29 said: "Why did Wicked lose?"

Because it's awful, and "Avenue Q" is one of the best musicals of this century. Period.



"

Jimmyb1969 said: "They simply got it wrong. Avenue Q has not held up...kind of a one trick pony show and Wicked has aged so nicely.

Calling AVENUE Q a one-trick pony show is ignoring the fact that many of the things that people love about it can also be found in Robert Lopez's OTHER show, THE BOOK OF MORMON. In my opinion, both shows are among the very best of the last few decades.

Updated On: 4/17/17 at 07:22 PM

do you know what a one trick pony is

A lot of people take it for granted that Caroline, or Change should have won best musical, but I saw it, and it sucked. I pretty much rolled my eyes continuously, and the score (especially the lyrics) was just abysmal.

Avenue Q was sharp, Wicked was a fun time (with an outstanding Kristen Chenoweth). Neither has to be bad for one to be better.

BakerWilliams said: "A lot of people take it for granted that Caroline, or Change should have won best musical, but I saw it, and it sucked. I pretty much rolled my eyes continuously, and the score (especially the lyrics) was just abysmal."



Oh, well, since you saw it, I guess I'll be revising my opinion of the show's merits.

I've seen Wicked more than most people have. I never saw Avenue Q so I can't tell you why it won best musical.



Wicked consistently makes over a million on Broadway every week plus the tour is in the best shape I've ever seen and has been selling out in every city it goes to.



So while Avenue Q may have won the Tony Wicked is still out there and shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon.

I have slept through it, TWICE. AVE Q better show.... Look at Matilda and Kinky Boots. One was great in England and then Americans voted. And Kinky was an English movie.



BTW, I saw Matildon't in London, before it came here it sucked there as well.

haterobics said: "mailhandler777 said: "I've seen Wicked more than most people have."

Twice?



"

This was great shade.