To my eyes and ears, Wicked is a nice family entertainment show and I can see why it is a success with teenagers and families with children. However, overall I find it an "ok show" but was actually quite disappointed and even bored when I saw it many years ago (maybe disappointed b/c it was so hyped). The score is enjoyable and it has a number of outstanding songs, with Defying Gravity surely being a decade-defining Broadway song (even though I never understood why in the stage version the song is cut to pieces instead of keeping it a pure power solo). The rest: story, set, dancing, costumes, etc. seemed almost generic to me. I also don't understand why apart from the indisputable vocal challenge, the role of Elphaba is considered by some as such a difficult one.
I don't mean to bash. But does anyone think alike?
I too saw it much after it was already a megahit and came out thinking thoughts similiar to yours. I guess its fanbase "teenage girls and famillies with children" was enough to make it a success and the ball keeps rolling. I must say the show certainly continues to please its fans.
I saw it early in previews and thought it was "ok". There was a respectable audience but it was in no way sold out. I only remember it that well because of how it just took off like a rocket once 10 year old girls with no friends discovered it.
Great marketing, the reputation of the original cast, catchy songs, and a story so sanitized from the novel that a 5 year old can walk out happy, demanding t-shirts and assorted merchandise on the way out the door.
I don't begrudge its success. I prefer other shows and the original novel.
What is popular among musical theatre enthusiasts and popular among the general public is often vastly different. Reading opinions on this board, you would think Cats would have closed in a month rather than become one of the most popular musicals in the world.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
As Joan Rivers often says when she does workout shows at the Beechman, "For the out-of-towners, I hope you enjoy Wicked, because you're the only ones that do. What a piece of ****!"
The show is like cotton candy, initially tastes good, but never going to fill you up.
The one good thing about Wicked and as the OP stated it appeals to a very young crowd, if this acts as a gateway show to then go on to appreciate other kinds of theater, then actually I am fine with it.
I fully agree. I've never understood the hype. It's good but nothing that spectacular to be crazy over. In my opinion, there are many shows on Broadway that are much better than Wicked. One of my pet peeves is when tourists will only go with Wicked/Book of Mormon/Lion King without any willingness to broaden their horizon.
I like the album quite a bit (and love the novel), but I've yet to meet anyone--including my teenage niece--who didn't shrug when asked about the show. Nobody seems to hate it, but nobody seems excited enough that I need to spend $200 on tickets.
As someone who first saw Wicked as a teenage girl, the only reaction I really remember having was that I was upset they watered the book down so much. Other than that...meh. I saw Assassins the next day and it was much more to my liking.
I love Joan Rivers. I see her every chance I get, so I hope her surgeon does not do as Namo suggested because that would mean that I couldn't go see her every chance I get and that would make me very very sad.
Great marketing, the reputation of the original cast, catchy songs, and a story so sanitized from the novel that a 5 year old can walk out happy, demanding t-shirts and assorted merchandise on the way out the door.
This. It's not without some merit, but it's incredibly safe and really has no objectionable material in it. The whole family can go and walk out completely satisfied, if not challenged in any way.