Wicked Tour in Dallas Review! 4/20 *POSSIBLE SPOILERS*

[Parks]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 2:24am

This was my 6th time seeing Wicked. I saw it 5 times in about a 6 month period back in 2005 (2 times in NY, 3 times in Dallas). I was afraid that I was going to be sick of it tonight when I was watching it, but since it's been about a year and a half--I was ready to see it again.

I've realized now that I seem to only be able to watch the show from what is like a director's point of view. I look for flaws and things that work. I look at the technical aspect more than I do at the performances.

I was excited to see what changes were brought to the show from the London production. Let me make a list since there are quite a few things:

-New projection of Wicked Witch above celebrating Ozians-good change. It looks cool and it is effective to show the Ozians celebrating the death of the Wicked Witch (as if the song weren't enough).
-New scene between Fiyero and Elphaba-pointless change. I didn't understand the point of this scene...sure, it introduces the two characters and we find out that Fiyero is shallow...but does it serve any other purpose? We already find that out later.
-New choreography in Dancing Through Life-HORRIBLE. VERY CHEESEY. The original choreography (or lack of) before the change was made was sloppy, but this was just painful to watch.
-Wicked Witch Of The East-Line changes--good. Elphaba tells Nessa that she is going to return to the Emerald City to set the monkeys free and Nessa yells at Elphaba saying that she isn't going to return to set the monkeys free, BUT instead find Fiyero. This was one of the few line changes that really worked well, I thought.
-Wonderful-Most of the dialouge that was in the middle of the song has been moved to before the song, along with some new lines and it worked nicely. Good change. The ending of the song is cut--Elphaba stops the Wizard in the middle of the song and tells him that she will accept his proposition on one condition (as she did before). She tells him to set the monkeys free, and he does. The scene runs the same after that. The only difference was, the song does not end the same, so the scene has a more consistant feel to it. Elphaba never completely lets her guard down anymore.

Those are the main changes I could remember, in case anyone...didn't know and was curious.

Now, on to the actual show. I will try to be brief with this because I'm tired--so bare with me, if you will.

Tonight, we had no understudies in the show.

Victoria Matlock's Elphaba had a different feel from any other Elphaba I've seen. She played Elphaba as having a very...sarcastic tone. Sometimes it worked, but other times, some of her lines fell flat. It was interesting. Her singing was VERY good. Not the best that I've heard, but she sings the score very well. One of the better Elphabas vocally. Her Defying Gravity gave me goosebumps several times. Absolutely amazing.

Christina (don't remember the last name) as G(a)linda was alright. She was very good at first...but she played Galinda too stupid and crazy for me. She was funny at first, but she milked the whole "Look at me! I'm a blonde, ditzy girl!" a bit too much. She had some very nice moments--and continued to have some funny moments (her Popular was fabulous--one of the better renditions I have seen), but she continued to be too crazy for me. Now, Act II was a completely different story. Her Glinda is now overly dramatic in act II. I understand what she was trying to do...but it just didn't work. Crying all OVER the place! Thank Goodness had crying in it. The scene where Fiyero leaves her for Elphaba had crying in it. I'm Not That Girl had crying in it. For Good had crying in it. The scene where she realized that the wizard was Elphaba's father had crying in it. The FINALE had crying in it. If she could just hold back on the crying a little bit, it would be a lot more effective. She had a lovely voice, but she needs to tone it down just a bit. She was not bad--don't get me wrong. She was fabulous at times...but I just didn't agree with some of her acting choices.

The rest of the cast--I don't have my program with me, so I will have to just use character names.
Fiyero-He was alright. Nothing too special. Something that I've never seen in an actor playing the part before...Dancing Through Life was too...LOW for him. Amazing. He was singing sharp a lot in the song. I personally thought he was too gay to play Fiyero (which is sad, because he is married to Deedee Magno Hall, who plays Nessa). Act I was not good, I didn't think--but his act II was much better. As Long As Your Mine was pretty steamy. I may have had to fan myself a time or two during it .

Nessarose-Deedee Magno Hall (Ok, the only reason I remember her name was because of the thread on here a few weeks ago that talked about her and her name was spelled MANGO and people said she sounded like a stripper. Good, we've got that aside now) played Nessarose very soft. At first, I didn't like it at all. At the end of act I, I didn't see any change in her that would lead to become the Wicked Witch Of The East in Act II. I was afraid she was going to make the transformation during intermission and the audience would miss it, but she didn't. She kept her character sweet until Wicked Witch Of The East, and we saw her change into the Wicked character we are familiar with. It was an interesting take on the role. She has a FABULOUS voice, by the way. Best Nessarose I have ever heard. I'd love to hear her sing more sometime.

Madame Morrible-This actress played the part fine. Nothing special, but she was a little different playing it. She played Madame Morrible much bigger than I've ever seen before. She was using...presentational acting, almost. Not bad, but not my favorite Madame Morrible.

The Wizard-Alright, this man was just great. With a part as boring as the Wizard's, he made it come to life. The only other actor I've seen be able to do that has been David Garrison--but this actor was fantastic! His Wonderful was even exciting! He really gave this role his all and did a fantastic job. Next Wizard on Broadway hopefully?

The show itself had some nice new things about it (brought by the new cast) and some things I really didn't care for. The show almost felt like a high school production with some of the blocking...Glinda fainting when she says, "I think I'll go lie down" and her friends carry her off. That was very cheesey and seemed like something you'd maybe even see in a middle school production. Glinda's part is already pretty funny. The part doesn't require physical acting with every line said.

The set, for some reason, was absolutely amazing to me. I had the PERFECT seat for this show--about 20 rows back, DEAD center. Defying Gravity gave me goosebumps, even though I knew what was coming. It looked really amazing--better than I had ever seen it before. The flying effect along with Victoria's amazing performance of the song made it the most powerful Defying Gravity I have ever seen. The forest in As Long As You're Mine was my other favorite setting--I didn't remember it being so elaborate--but it was incredible. Another one of my favorite settings was the set during No Good Deed. It was minimal, but the use of the projector projecting explosions of different colors surrounding Elphaba made the scene scary! My jaw dropped while I was watching this...and all because of projections surrounding Elphaba. Using a projector is no longer revolutionary in the theater, but the way Wicked has incorperated it into its show makes it stunning. The show is easily the most amazing spectacle show I have ever seen, which is no surprise, but I was just shocked when I found that my jaw was still dropping after seeing the show 6 times.

So, the show definitely has its flaws, but it is a great night at the theater. This production has some really nice parts, and some things I wouldn't mind being thrown out. The new cast is fantastic and should not be missed. If you get a chance to see it, and you are thinking you've seen it too many times before, you haven't seen this cast with their new take on the show. I'd give this show 4 stars out of 5 (5 being the best).

I stagedoored (yes, with all the little 10 year old girls...and 3 of my friends) and got to meet Victoria and Christina, who were both very pleasant and friendly.

OK, at this point, I am too tired to continue writing anymore. If I remember anything else, I will be sure to edit this tomorrow and post it. If you have any questions, feel free to ask :).

Updated On: 4/21/07 at 02:24 AM

[Parks]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 11:29am

BUMP because I added some things .

[goofy108]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 12:34pm

Thanks for the review! I can't wait to see it.

[dfwtheatreguy]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 1:32pm

Why waste your money (or your parent's money) on seeing this mediocre show again and again and again.

Instead of seeing this tired production you could have broadened your theatrical horizons with one of the many local productions in Dallas - just because it's not from Broadway doesn't mean it's not good or have artistic merit.

For example:
- "Parade" at WaterTower, this musical has some of the most soul stirring melodies and lyrics and this is a rare opportunity to see this show in our area
- "Mr Marmalade" at Kitchen Dog, dark, fabulous, and one of the best in local theatre history
- "Fuddy Meers" at Richardson Theatre Center, a wacky black comedy by the new Pulitzer Prize winner
- "Master Class" at Lyric Stage, it's McNally, it's Callas, come on!
- "The Big Bang" at Theatre Three, a silly spoof of big budget musicals
- "Die Mommie Die" at Uptown, Charles Busch skewers the 60s

Sorry you had to waste your time at the overblown mess that is "Wicked" - did you buy a tshirt or a green monkey at the souvenir kiosk???

[Parks]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 2:22pm

dfw, the ticket was free to me, as my friend had 3 extra tickets and she gave 1 of them me.

Now, if you would like to give me a free ticket to any of those shows, I will gladly go.

How does my posting a review of a show that came from Broadway mean that I don't think that any show that didn't come from Broadway is good? I saw The Last Five Years at Flowermound Performing Arts Theater just a couple weeks ago. That wasn't on Broadway, but I saw that--and it was in a theater with only 75 seats.

I see as much theatre as I can, whether it is from a huge national tour like Wicked or in a small regional theater like Last Five Years at the Flowermound Performing Arts Theater.

I posted a review of this show on the BROADWAY board because this show will be able to be seen by people all over the country, so it makes sense for me to write a review. I couldn't/shouldn't write a review for a regional show on the Broadway board because it, most likely, will not be touring. It would belong on the Dallas board, which very few people read.

I'm sorry if my review offended you...If it did, you do not belong on a Broadway message board.

Updated On: 4/21/07 at 02:22 PM

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 2:26pm

It's Park business if he wants to see Wicked that many times. You shouldn't tell him what he cannot see because its not artistic enough for you.

Anyway nice review, I wasn't aware of how many changes they had added.

[Tag]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 2:32pm

I saw the tour in Toronto in December and noticed many changes from the original times I had seen it back in 2005.
I could swear that the Wicked Witch projection has always been in the opening number at the end. Was it really just added recently?

And Parks I pretty sure that projections are NOT used during No Good Deed. It looks like it's just moving lights with gobos in them.

[TWSFan4Ever]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 2:41pm

Tag, they're talking about a new projection at the beginning of the number as soon as the OZ Map curtain rises.

[Parks]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 2:44pm

Maybe the Wicked Witch thing at the beginning has always been there. My bad if it has...

Maybe they didn't use the projector in No Good Deed. Whatever it was, it looked different from when I've seen it in the past. As I said, this was the best view I've ever seen it from--so that could have affected it. It looked great.

[TWSFan4Ever]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 2:46pm

From what I know, there has always been a projection of the Wicked Witch at the end of "No One Mourns the Wicked" in the background. In the beginning of the number, now, there is a green-like projection of the witch.

Correct?

[Parks]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 2:47pm

Oh, yes--TWSfan is right. I wasn't talking about the projection at the end of the song. The projection is at the part where the big hat in the original production was. It looks like green smoke at first, but comes together to form an image of Elphaba as the Wicked Witch--and when the music reaches its forte, the picture "explodes".

[Tag]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 2:47pm

I'm remembering the one at the end of the number.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 3:00pm

Thank you for this review, Parks

DFW, get a life.

[dfwtheatreguy]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 3:08pm

your review didnt offend me, i just have an opinion that this show in particular is fluff and represents everything that is wrong with the current state of theatre in this country - and admitting to seeing it 6 times only confirms that Broadway is more interested in commerce than art, which is sad - sure there has to be art AND commerce, but Wicked in particular has shifted that balance with art in the dust and commerce held in supreme regard.

and if Parks can have a positive position on this piece of dreck, why can't i have a negative position - why does my opinion mean i need to get a life, am i missing something?

[goofy108]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 3:11pm

yes you are missing somethinh.
he is not ranting and raving about how amazing WICKED is and how it is the best thing theatre has to offer unlike other people on this borad.
he is simply giving a review that many of us appreciate.
Updated On: 4/21/07 at 03:11 PM

[jg4892]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 3:11pm

What's wrong with fluff? I really don't think everything needs to be thought provoking and artistic to be enjoyable.

[Parks]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 3:14pm

dfw, you obviously don't know that I see many shows several times. Brooklyn, which was not a great show, but had incredible talent--I saw 4 times when it was here. It's not only Wicked. I saw I'll Leave It Up To You (or whatever it's called) twice when it was at Theatre 3 back in 2005. I saw Dirty Rotten Scoundrels 3 times while it was in town last year. I've seen I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change at Theatre Too 3 or 4 times over the years as well.

Updated On: 4/21/07 at 03:14 PM

[dfwtheatreguy]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 3:15pm

when i heard wicked was coming to bway i was excited b/c i had read the book, but none of that intelligence made it's way onto the stage - although idina tried her best she was lost in this fluffy, disney-esque trap.

[goofy108]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 3:17pm

....im....sorry...

?
Updated On: 4/21/07 at 03:17 PM

[jg4892]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 3:18pm

I don't think it tried to follow the book- it is what it is, and it doesn't apologize for it. The show would be two completely different musicals if it followed the book closely.

[dfwtheatreguy]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 3:21pm

It's encouraging that someone so young is not totally under the spell of fluff spectacle, but just saying that seeing Wicked 6 times is like eating candy for every meal - in the future try and supplement some of that candy with vegetables, your life as a theatre professional will be fuller and richer for it.

Updated On: 4/21/07 at 03:21 PM

[jg4892]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 3:22pm

No, seeing Wicked 6 times when you see theatre a lot is like eating candy sometimes. Which is fun.

[Parks]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 3:28pm

Oh my god, dfw--there is NO winning with you, is there?

You were saying that I only see shows that are from Broadway--and ILY... is not! I've shown you that I see regional shows/things that are NOT Wicked and now you're arguing with me about which REGIONAL shows I see. Who cares? I go to shows I like--and while they may not be your favorites, I am still supporting the arts. We have different tastes in shows. Get over it. It's like comparing genres of music. Do you get into these kinds of arguments with people who listen to country, pop or rap and not only showtunes?

Here--I saw Imaginary Invalid at Theatre Three a few years ago. Happy? I saw The Importance of Being Earnest 2 years ago at Dallas Theater Center. I saw The Full Monty at Theatre Three last year. I saw Little Women at the Music Hall last year. I saw Les Miserables at the Music Hall last year. I saw I Am My Own Wife last year TWICE at Dallas Theater Center. Happy? I have a SUBSCRIPTION to Dallas Theater Center's next season.

*edited to add more shows*

Updated On: 4/21/07 at 03:28 PM

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 3:32pm

Sad to hear Christina DeCicco is going too far with the role now. I saw her eight performance back in January and she was perfect...perfect character transitions, et cetera. I think she probably has gone too far, trying to explore the character, but going the wrong way...hopefully the powers that be will put her back in the right direction, where she was in January.

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 3:33pm

DFW, how about you think before you type? Or do you even have a brain?

First, your arguments on this thread are so inane and stupid that I will not even address them.

Second, I know Amy and Doug. And I am very good friends with their daughter. They are both immensely talented and loving parents. Just because you are probably some bitter man who has amounted to nothing, don't take it out on other people. Seriously, what do you contribute here? F*** off.

Updated On: 4/21/07 at 03:33 PM