Wicked on Broadway worth it after seeing tour?

Hi all,

With the whole kurfufle involving DEH and Platt happening, my friend and I now have 1 day open during our trip to NYC. We're having a hard time deciding which musical to go see. Dolly is out of the question, and GHD is closing before we get there...

We're now left with 2 options. Come from Away and Wicked. We've seen Wicked in Denver a couple of years ago (summer 2015), but I've heard that its a different experience in the original theater on Broadway. And I've also been listening to the soundtrack a lot, more than any other show... I'm thinking it might be better to see a new show, but I can't justify paying for a mezzanine seat in the back of the theater for CFA when it costs the same or more than a Wicked Orchestra ticket.

Is there a difference between the summer 2015 tour and the broadway production of Wicked? In terms of the orchestra (I LOVE the orchestration of the songs in this musical), is the broadway orchestra better or larger? Costumes? Props? Sets and stage?



Appreciate all the advice I can get, please and thank you. :)

It's quite beautiful at The Gershwin. The set is built a few rows into the audience, there are more lights built into the set, there's a few additional pieces of scenery. Visually it's more beautiful but not a significant difference. I think the difference is something that a frequent Wicked visitor who hasn't seen the show on Broadway would enjoy.

The current Elphaba is turning out amazing performances, and if you saw the show in 2015 then she is not who you saw on tour. Not sure about the Glinda. The current Madame Morrible is quite good as well.

I didn't particularly love Come From Away. I'm glad I saw it, and I appreciate the story and the staging, but I wouldn't see it again even for free. I enjoyed it don't get me wrong, but it's not the show for me.

Visceral_Fella said: "
The current Elphaba is turning out amazing performances, and if you saw the show in 2015 then she is not who you saw on tour. Not sure about the Glinda. The current Madame Morrible is quite good as well."

Yeah the Elphaba we saw that night on the tour was the standby and I can safely say that she did not turn out a great performance, completely dropped the ball when it came to belting out.. Who is the current Elphaba? Burns? Do you know how long she'll be in the role?

I'm quite saddened that there aren't more musicals to see. I've heard nothing but bad things about Aladdin... and my friend def does not want to go see Phantom. Charlie was an option, but didn't hear good things about it either..

1.there are always a lot of closings near labor and the again the first of the year - so you are coming during a dry spell

2. For someone that doesn't get to see Broadway frequently, I'd say go with something brand new to you, so, therefore Come From Away if you can get tix.

3. Not sure why you aren't interested in still seeing DEH...did you have tix? No reason to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

It's one set with moving chairs. If spectacle is important to you, then dont see CFA. Its a lovely, sentimental piece...no bells or whistles.



It sounds like you really WANT to see Wicked, but are seeking approval. The only person that matters is you.

dramamama611 said: "
It sounds like you really WANT to see Wicked, but are seeking approval. The only person that matters is you."

I'm starting to come around to that conclusion. Haha!

Any seat recommendations for the Gershwin?

lordofanime said: "Visceral_Fella said: "
The current Elphaba is turning out amazing performances, and if you saw the show in 2015 then she is not who you saw on tour. Not sure about the Glinda. The current Madame Morrible is quite good as well."

Yeah the Elphaba we saw that night on the tour was the standby and I can safely say that she did not turn out a great performance, completely dropped the ball when it came to belting out.. Who is the current Elphaba? Burns? Do you know how long she'll be in the role?

I'm quite saddened that there aren't more musicals to see. I've heard nothing but bad things about Aladdin... and my friend def does not want to go see Phantom. Charlie was an option, but didn't hear good things about it either.."

It does sound like you want to see Wicked so you should definitely see that. But I need to correct one thing - there are a lot of musicals to see. I'm coming in November and am seeing 6 shows (DEH, Sweeney Todd, Hello Dolly, The Band's Visit, CFA, and Waitress) in 5 days. I also had an alternate list of shows (M. Butterfly, Torch Song, War Paint) (Hamilton, Book of Mormon, Kinky Boots - all would be enjoyable Broadway revisits for me) (Wicked - like you I saw it (2x) on tour, but I was lucky to see it with great cast) in case those hadn't panned out, but I already bought tickets for all six shows so I'm set. And, for the record, I really enjoyed Aladdin. Most of the shows that closed before your trip probably wouldn't have been to your liking anyway - if you like musicals with lots of spectacle then Wicked is the one for you. Enjoy!

Not to persuade you since Wicked sounds like the best choice for you, but I would encourage you to listen to the cast recording from DEH and watch some of the YouTube clips. It might make you more engaged with the show rather than just reading about it. You Will Be Found, Words Fail, and Waving Through a Window are phenomenal songs. if you enjoy those, maybe you can at least see it on tour.

I strongly suggest you see Dear Evan Hansen, Ben or no Ben. It's still a great show and like Miles said, listen to the recording (even though I didn't before seeing it and glad I waited), if you need persuasion. I understand the disappointment of not seeing Ben, but you'll still be seeing the show that won Best Musical this year with a great cast.

The Gershwin set is more built-out into the audience (the lights, scaffolding along the sides) than the touring sets, which makes for a more spectacular experience during dancing through life and one short day. And Jackie Burns is amazing as Elphaba (i saw her on tour and also in her previous broadway appearance in the role). I'd definitely recommend having that experience if you are a fan of the show.

I also recommend seeing Come From Away at some point, but the set is so simple that it won't lose anything on tour. Jenn Colella is amazing in her role, but she only has one solo song, so catching Jackie Burns as Elphaba seems like it would have more payoff. I saw CFA both in Toronto and on Broadway and i couldn't detect any difference at all between the sets (but then again it was the pre-broadway tryout and maybe there will be a different set built for touring). But i don't think your experience would necessarily be that different if you waited to see it on tour (or waited until its broadway tickets are cheaper on a future nyc trip).

I also loved Aladdin - great dancing, music, performances, and a fabulous tap dance piece, which i adored.

always always always see original broadway and broadway casts when you can

dear evan hanson and come from away are spectacular

also if you like wicked you may also like anastasia- a great show

that being said the current elphaba is amazing and if you choose wicked at gershwin you will have a great show sit as close as possible center orch or inside aisle on side orch-its worth it to be close and experience the actors doin their thing

South Fl Marc I agree regarding COME FROM AWAY. Hopefully when it tours it will play the Ellie instead of the Buell in Denver.

You are very much getting the same show. There are a few technical differences here and there, but the tour still counts as a replica staging.

If you had only seen the current tour of Phantom and you were asking this question about that show, I would advise you to see it in New York. Thst is a completely different experience. With Wicked, I'd advise you to see something you haven't seen before, unless Wicked is your favorite show ever.