#1
Posted: 3/30/08 at 5:23pm
I found this tour available on Broadway.com. Has anyone taken it ? It looks interesting and I'd love to visit the backstage of a Broadway theater, but is this one worth it ???
"Wicked: Behind the Emerald Curtain Tour " Is it worth it ???
#2
Posted: 3/30/08 at 5:28pm
I haven't personally gone but my friend who is obsessed with Wicked said it was completely worth it when he went, he was astonished by all that he saw.
#3
Posted: 3/30/08 at 5:38pm
It's a lot of fun as long as you understand ahead of time that you do not ever go backstage. It's lead by a cast member (when I went on it, the hilarious Anthony Galde was our tour guide), and I would say your enjoyment of the tour depends on how "into it" the tour guide is. Galde told lots of stories, answered all of the questions pretty honestly, and seemed to be enjoying himself. Carole Shelley even stopped by to chat on her way in. I'd recommend it, but understand going in that there is no backstage element to it at all.
#4
Posted: 3/30/08 at 5:45pm
Hmmm, that's a shame ! I guess I understood wrong ! Being a TV writer in Greece, I've been to almost all backstages here, invited by my actor and director friends, but it would be so interesting to see how the backstage is on Broadway ! But maybe I'll give it a shot, for the fun of it !
#5
Posted: 3/30/08 at 6:04pm
I had a GREAT time at the "Behind" in Los Angeles. Lots of fun.
Now all I see are cute boys with short haircuts in a maze of their own...
#6
Posted: 3/30/08 at 6:08pm
#7
Posted: 3/30/08 at 6:47pm
That was a very useful link ! Thank you o much ! It looks fun and I think I'll try it when I'm there !
#8
Posted: 3/30/08 at 7:06pm
I saw the one in NYC and thought that it was worth it. You get to see the OBC's costume's, the set design, the blueprint for Glinda's bubble. Then you go into the theater and watch a movie that was put together about the making of Wicked. Then there is a Q and A with Sean McCourt (who I believe is in Mary Poppins now) and Anthony Galde (Wicked Ensemble) They both are the nicest people I have ever met. After the tour that stay and talk with people. They also take pictures and do autographs if people want them! If you go I hope you have a good time. I know I did! :)
#9
Posted: 3/30/08 at 7:08pm
There is also mention of Exclusive Wicked merchandise, available only for the Tour ! Any idea what is available ? I am such a merchandise junkie ! 
Updated On: 3/30/08 at 07:08 PM
#10
Posted: 3/30/08 at 7:22pm
Honestly I've been backstage at a few Broadway shows. It's really not all it's cracked up to be. It's just like any theatre, cramped with little to no space and rather run-down. The first time it was a great thrill but once you've seen one, you've seen them all. Obviously depending on the production, it's great to see the scenery, costumes and props. However it really does take the "magic" out of seeing it onstage. It's still a fun experience though and a great story to tell others!
#11
Posted: 3/30/08 at 8:09pm
If you see WICKED while the BC/EFA fundraising is still going on, you can actually pay to have a real backstage tour. Tonight they were being sold for $250. I think usually they are more than that, but I'm sure if you ask nicely you can negotiate a good price. Plus 100% of the money goes to the charity. Of course, it is a large amount, but if a backstage tour is really something you are interested in, you do have that option. Reading your sig, I'm not sure if you'll be in town during it or not. April 4-20 is still within the collections period, but it says you are seeing it May 17th...
"It's Phantom meets Hamlet... Phamlet!"
#12
Posted: 3/30/08 at 9:49pm
I knew I would do a stupid mistake, due to the fact that in Europe we always put date first and month second, but I tried to make it easy for my U.S friends and got mixed up and put 5 for month ! They are all April dates and I'm off to edit them ! Sorry about that !
edit : Done !!
edit : Done !!
Updated On: 3/30/08 at 09:49 PM
#13
Posted: 3/30/08 at 11:19pm
Thanks for the tip about this tour. I find Wicked visually fascinating and would love to learn more about the production.
#14
Posted: 3/30/08 at 11:30pm
I've been backstage at Studio 54, the Vivian Beaumont, the Walter Kerr, and the Laura Pels (Off-Broadway), and they have all been extremely different.
I wouldn't say once you've seen one, you've seen them all.
Studio 54 is like being in a cramped old attic, while the backstage space at the Beaumont is all brand new, renovated, spacious, and gorgeous. The dressing rooms look like fancy hotel suites. The Kerr is multi-leveled with a few dressing rooms on each floor, and with the exception of two star dressing rooms, only one bathroom per floor.
I wouldn't say once you've seen one, you've seen them all.
Studio 54 is like being in a cramped old attic, while the backstage space at the Beaumont is all brand new, renovated, spacious, and gorgeous. The dressing rooms look like fancy hotel suites. The Kerr is multi-leveled with a few dressing rooms on each floor, and with the exception of two star dressing rooms, only one bathroom per floor.
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
#15
Posted: 3/31/08 at 6:41am
When I did it, the "merchandise" was a "Behind the Emerald Curtain" windowcard. That was it.
Experience live theater. Experience paintings. Experience books. Live, look and listen like artists! ~ imaginethis
LIVE THAT LESSON!!!!!!
LIVE THAT LESSON!!!!!!
#16
Posted: 3/31/08 at 7:24am
I saw the tour in March of 2006 and they had the merchandise booth open and was selling everything they would have sold at the show that night. Plus a Behind the Emerald Curtain Poster. I dont know if this has changed since then but thats what was there when I went.
#17
Posted: 3/31/08 at 7:51am
Yeah, that's what they did when I did it. I was referring to the "exclusive merchandise" they advertise. It's the window card only as far as I know.
Experience live theater. Experience paintings. Experience books. Live, look and listen like artists! ~ imaginethis
LIVE THAT LESSON!!!!!!
LIVE THAT LESSON!!!!!!
#18
Posted: 3/31/08 at 8:36am
I see ! Thanks guys ! I'll decide it on the moment, once I'm in New York, depending on my schedule !
#19
Posted: 3/31/08 at 12:13pm
when i went to it in LA, they didnt have any exclusive merchandise- the normal stands weren't even open.. 
#20
Posted: 3/31/08 at 3:28pm
I would do it.
"Everytime you step on that stage it is somebody's first Broadway show and somebody's last Broadway show. Make it count."
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