Wicked or Avenue Q

[WickedvsAvenueQDude]

Posted: 1/11/05 at 10:30pm

Wicked or Avenue Q? Just asking for all you peoples opinions

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 1/11/05 at 10:31pm

Oh boy hun, you're opening a HUGE can of worms with this one

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/11/05 at 10:31pm

Please, no.

[gravity87]

Posted: 1/11/05 at 10:35pm

On God... wickedvsaveq, is that Even a fair question? lol. How bout to make every one happy we both say that The're BOTH the best thing ever. and we can all pretend that our fav won the Tony. I see that your new. dont start what could erupt into a huge argument thread Updated On: 1/11/05 at 10:35 PM

[WickedvsAvenueQDude]

Posted: 1/11/05 at 10:37pm

I know its an old subject and that many ppl were in uproar over the Tonys cuz of this, but my sister and I argue over which one is more popular nowadays and which one will eventually last longer. I personally prefer Avenue Q, cuz its songs can be enjoyed w/out knowing the story and there are more songs on the cd that are catchy and u can really listen to. While the Wicked cd is good, there are only a few songs I can enjoy, and its mostly because the vocalists are really powerful. I don't think Wicked would be as popular w/out Idina. I think the show depends too much on star power. (But I still think its really awesome!)

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 1/11/05 at 10:39pm

but my sister and I argue over which one is more popular nowadays and which one will eventually last longer

Since popularity is the only thing that determines a show's merit.

I think the show depends too much on star power.

The show is the star. The logo is the star. The actors, no matter how much we may not like it, are not the stars of Wicked. Wicked and The Wizard of Oz and the publicity people are the stars of Wicked.

Updated On: 1/11/05 at 10:39 PM

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 1/11/05 at 10:43pm

Oy, Gott in Himmel....der oilem iz a goilem, un der mentsh trakht, un Got lakht, "KHAKHAKHA!"

[WickedvsAvenueQDude]

Posted: 1/11/05 at 10:43pm

I'm not saying that popularity determines a show's merit. But it does affect how long the show stays on Broadway. There have been plenty of perfectly good shows, that were closed because they weren't popular.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 1/11/05 at 10:44pm

around here, we question merit more than populartiy...

[WickedvsAvenueQDude]

Posted: 1/11/05 at 10:47pm

Fine, what a determine's a show's merit? and doesn't the level of merit directly relate to a show's popularity? so couldn't u say that a show's popularity is a partial indicator of its merit?

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 1/11/05 at 10:48pm

you just contradicted what you said last time...

and a show's merit is somewhat sunjective, no?

[gravity87]

Posted: 1/11/05 at 10:49pm

StickToPriest-Thank you

Just to offer my own personal thing here. I got into wicked in 1995 when gregoy macguire (I know thats spelled wrong) spoke to my 4th grade class about his childrens books. and he mentioned this new adult book called wicked, and explained the premise. I thought the man was a genious. I read the book in freshman year of HS and loved it. Bought the CD on a whim while searching for an "Anything Goes soundtrack" ect. Ne ways to be relevant its true WICKED IS THE STAR OF WICKED. I got into it becase of Wicked not Idina. the average theatre goer doesnt go becase of the actors its becase wicked is the cool show to go to now and its a status symbol to get tickets (especially good tickets)I saw it twice with my with family members both times my mother was there. and she could give to shi*'s about whos in it.infact she thought George Hearn (big star) was awful compared to sean mcourt as the wizard. ok sorry Im rampling alot but ill finish quick. The apeal is the sets the score the special effect, the story, It wouldnt mater if Idina was in it or some unknown fresh out of acting school. Wicked is sucesful becase it takes a reality we all have known since childhood skews it but does it in a way we love.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 1/11/05 at 10:51pm

well, Georgwe Hearn is awful compared to Sean McCourt...and Joel Grey...

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 1/11/05 at 10:54pm

..brain..malfunction..cannot...process...George Hearn...insults..

[WickedvsAvenueQDude]

Posted: 1/11/05 at 10:55pm

i didn't want to get into a heated debate, i just wanted some opinions on the matter : Avenue Q or Wicked?

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 1/11/05 at 10:55pm

deep breathes Priesty baby
nothing's gonna harm you, no sir, not while I'm around...

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 1/11/05 at 10:56pm

Don't worry, I like George Hearn just fine...just not everybody is made for every role....

The one thing the role of the Wizard actually had was taken out of the show for George Hearn...

[maybethistime]

Posted: 1/11/05 at 10:59pm

This is like digging deeper and deeper into a wound inflicted by Sweeney's rusty razor! There's no way we can ever settle it!

[bjivie2]

Posted: 1/11/05 at 11:03pm

"What determine's a show's merit?"

I determine a show's merit by (in this order)

1. the quality of the book, music and lyrics alone without any performers, directors or production values attached (including themes, messages, lessons, social commentary, etc.)
2. it's affect on theatre as a medium (whether that means popularizing it, reinventing it, etc.)
3. the staging of the show by the director and choreographer
4. the performers in the original cast
5. the production values and design aspects
6. the popularity of the piece

So, if you strip Wicked down to just the meat and bones of script, music and lyrics, it's not nearly as well-constructed as Avenue Q, the lyrics aren't as good, the story has holes and the music isn't centered.

Is you use just #1 and #2, I would say that Avenue Q is still in the lead, as Wicked has began another craze of people wanting to go to New York, but then again so has Avenue Q, and it's also brought a new form of performance (puppetry) to Broadway that hasn't been done before. Wicked hasn't brought anything new to the musical theatre medium.

If you use #1-#3, neither show had particularly brilliant stagings, but they both served the show well, leaving Avenue Q in the lead.

If you use #1-#4, both shows had perfect original casts. I'm not saying any were better, but they were all perfectly cast. Avenue Q is still in the lead.

If you use #1-#5, the design elements of Wicked are much more wide-spread than those in Avenue Q, but not enough to put Wicked over Avenue Q.

If you use #1-#6, both shows are playing to full houses. Wicked's response has been much more expansive than Avenue Q, but they're both selling very well.

All-in-all I would say that Avenue Q has the slight lead based on those criteria that I set up. Wow, I feel like I just wrote a term paper.

[OrdinaryJukebox1]

Posted: 1/11/05 at 11:14pm

I think it's apples and oranges. I love "Wicked" and I really enjoy the OBCR of "Avenue Q." I haven't seen the show yet, and when I do, I'm sure I'll love it, but for different reasons. Both are wonderful shows and great additions to Broadway, and, hopefully will be around for years to come.

-Vincent

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 1/12/05 at 12:19am

It's still all subjective - you could say Wicked's score is better, likewise...

If you like a show, don't let anyone tell you differently. I like Dracula, a lot...even though it did poorly

[Corine2]

Posted: 1/12/05 at 12:22am

See both. They are both marvelous.
But see Q before Jan 30th. John Tags, who is incredible will be leaving.
I LOVED BOTH. But i loved Q a lot more. Updated On: 1/12/05 at 12:22 AM

[Broadway_Baby]

Posted: 1/12/05 at 12:29am

Updated On: 12/17/06 at 12:29 AM

[sipos]

Posted: 1/12/05 at 12:31am

I saw them both in the same week, and I agree they're apples and oranges.

I don't compare them. Too different shows.

Love em both.

[dancindramadude]

Posted: 1/12/05 at 12:36am

AVENUE Q, but I am bias cause Avenue Q is my most favorite show in the worls. But Wiked is good music. But the show is all spectacle not much of that great of a book.