Wicked's Dropping Grosses — Page 3

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#51

Re: Wicked's Dropping Grosses

Posted: 9/18/26 at 1:36pm

Theatrefan2 said: "Mr. Wormwood said: "TheQuibbler said: "
I’m not sure how much blockbuster business a 23 year old show is expected to do. Like others have said, I’m sure it can have a nice run for a bit longer coasting in the mid-range of grosses."

Well, The Lion King is still doing blockbuster business at almost 30 years. I do think it's tied to the movie but not just because of the way things went for the second movie but also a course correction for how popular it was leading up to and after the first movie."

The difference with the Lion King is it offers something very different to the movie, the staging is unique and 'has to be seen live'. Wicked doesn't really have that and if anything seems more dated by today's standards.

As for Phantom, based on the last time I saw it the main thing id love an update to is Christine's dressing room and the masquerade stairs. Those things are loud and very distracting if you're sat near the stage."

Doesn't seem dated and is still pulling in 98% capacity. Why is this discussion even happening?

#52

Re: Wicked's Dropping Grosses

Posted: 9/18/26 at 1:39pm

I don’t think the message being taken away here is the actual fear of Wicked imminently closing, it’s the fact that we are starting to see cracks and vulnerability in a show that is by all measures an industry anchor. Despite what geopolitical events were happening in the world, or in the industry, Wicked has managed to glide through them relatively unfazed until now.

I do agree with the poster above who said LK offers an entirely different experience

than the film, which will benefit its longevity. Wicked, on the other hand, doesn’t have that luxury. In fact, this was my first time watching the show since seeing the films and I gotta say - some

moments haven’t aged well in light of seeing them produced on a cinematic scale. Not saying the films are better than the musical, but there are just moments that exist in the show now where the set feels lacking, or effects feel underwhelming because we’ve seen them presented so spectaukrly

on film.

#53

Re: Wicked's Dropping Grosses

Posted: 9/18/26 at 1:41pm

I LOVE the creakiness of the dressing room! It makes it even more theatrical to have this big lumbering thing sliding across the stage. Could you imagine it now, "reimagined"? It would be a video of a dressing room smh.

And there is no new 1980s era technology with the chandelier. Its pulleys and wires.

#54

Re: Wicked's Dropping Grosses

Posted: 9/18/26 at 2:11pm

skyboy said: "I don’t think the message being taken away here is the actual fear of Wicked imminently closing, it’s the fact that we are starting to see cracks and vulnerability in a show that is by all measures an industry anchor. Despite what geopolitical events were happening in the world, or in the industry, Wicked has managed to glide through them relatively unfazeduntil now.

I do agree with the poster above who said LK offers an entirely different experience

than the film, which will benefit its longevity. Wicked, on the other hand, doesn’t have that luxury. In fact, this was my first time watching the show since seeing the films and I gotta say - some

moments haven’t aged well in light of seeing them produced on a cinematic scale. Not saying the films are better than the musical, but there are just moments that exist in the show now where the set feels lacking, or effects feel underwhelming because we’ve seen them presented so spectaukrly

on film.

"

I mean, every show closes eventually, if this is all the discussion is about.

#55

Re: Wicked's Dropping Grosses

Posted: 9/18/26 at 2:31pm

Phantom4ever said: "I LOVE the creakiness of the dressing room! It makes it even more theatrical to have this big lumbering thing sliding across the stage. Could you imagine it now, "reimagined"? It would be a video of a dressing room smh.

And there is no new 1980s era technology with the chandelier. Its pulleys and wires."

Sure, but there are plenty of shows with big set pieces that move across the stage that you cant hear happening while other scenes are going on. Its not a case of old noisy set piece or a screen, there are other ways of updating it.

As for Wicked, its quite a simply staged show in many ways in terms of set etc. But the wow moments like the flying does seem outdated and has been done more spectacularly in other non replica productions.

And no one is saying its closing soon, but it has dropped all of a sudden from the juggernaut it was. And it seems to mostly have happened since the second movie came out. Which is what is being discussed.

#56

Re: Wicked's Dropping Grosses

Posted: 9/18/26 at 2:35pm

I do think, of course, there are some who are being way to dramatic about Wicked's grosses, but it is note worthy conversation to be having, I think!

IMO, I don't think we'll be seeing it close anytime soon. My guess is we'll start seeing some additional things happen before a closing announcement.

Perhaps we'll see them cut some orchestra parts, bring in some stunt casting, turn that playbill B&W (if it's not already, haven't been to the Gershwin for a while, I don't know?) anything before they announce a closing.

But I do agree with other posters, it is starting to feel a bit... dated? I saw it right before the films were announced, and definitely before the big lighting upgrade, and the big wow moment of the show (spoiler alert, she flies at the end of act 1!!) felt underwhelming. The lift into the air was slow. The performances were all hitting the mark, but it felt stale. That was the third time I had seen the show, and walked away thinking perhaps that was one too many times of seeing Wicked. I had also forgotten how bad second act was. Right after "Thank Goodness" I remember thinking "can we just skip to no good deed now?"

All this to say, closing feels like it would be the absolute last straw for them, and I'm sure there are convos happening, but surely they are adjusting accordingly. The holiday season is right around the corner, where they will be asking far too much from these performers, orchestra, and crew and squeeze in as many shows as they possibly can to make as much money as they possibly can to help get through these lean months.

If Wicked isn't in the $2m+ club over the holidays, then the alarm bells should be ringing.

And the other question is, what show could possibly fill this barn of a theater and be successful?

All this is very speculative of me, and I'm hesitant even posting, but this is an interesting conversation to be having. Times are changing!!!

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