Will They Fix Wicked In London?

[pippin2]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 11:00am

As anyone with half a brain knows, albeit the most money-making show on Broadway at the moment, Wicked is a show with many many flaws. With its London opening looming in just a month or so, does anyone else wonder if they took this new production as an opportunity to fix some of the problems (book, lyrics, and development of the characters namely) that many American critics had with the show? Or will they just leave it as is and hope for the same fluke-like success.

[alliez92092]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 11:04am

It's going to be a success no matter what, but from reading interviews and articles I think they are changing it somewhat. They didn't give a full description, so I figure some stuff in the book must be changing, and maybe a little bit of the music. Who knows? I actually want to know if they will release a London Cast Recording, which is highly doubtful. Oh well.

[snl89]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 11:05am

well, simply on account of it IS the biggest money making show currently, I highly, HIGHLY doubt they'll change anything big I mean maybe little things, like set things or whatever, but nothing that would be really obvious. I mean why would they? Granted sure, there prob are things they COULD change that would make the show even better, but its just why risk it when they know its a definite money maker as it is? heck, they dont have to even HOPE its a success in london, cause I think it already pretty much is! haha, I mean, they've still hot a few months to go and they're practically sold out, at least for idina's run, I think! so yeah.. I dont think they have anything to worry about, so why would they change anything and risk people NOT liking it is a much as they already do, you know? :)

Updated On: 8/19/06 at 11:05 AM

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 12:27pm

why would you change the formula?

the show rakes in a million dollars a week!! Why tamper with that?

[Zachary Goldfarb]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 12:33pm

There will be a London cast recording after Idina Menzel leaves.

[dented146]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 12:39pm

pippin- You believe the success of Wicked is a fluke?

[pippin2]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 2:38pm

Maybe I shouldnt have used the word fluke, what I mean is that the show has become enormously successful without itself being a truly great musical. I think many of us would agree that Wicked is definitely entertaining, but would you call it a great musical among the ranks of such a show as Les Miserables? I understand that every piece has its problems, but I would hope that the creative team would take this time before they introduce the show to an entirely new audience and rework some aspects of the show that didn't go over well with critics here in New York.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 2:46pm

There are many, many successful shows that are far from great musicals. This is hardly a "fluke" or something out of the ordinary.

And of course, whether it is a great musical or not is entirely subjective.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 2:56pm

The "Wizard of Oz" does not have the same popularity in other countries as it does in the USA so it will be interesting to see how "Wicked" does across the pond.

[mikeyb16]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 3:08pm

the only change i know is that some of the shiz university scenes will be a bit different, and when i mean different, i mean the apperances will be different

[jimnysf]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 3:29pm

Shiz was a problem in the SF tryout. There was an awful song sung by Fiyero called "Which Way's The Party?". It received zero audience reaction both times I saw it and it was replaced by another song when the show got to Broadway. I don't know if that song is any better or worse since I have never revisited the show after the SF tryout.

[Queenie Was A Blonde]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 3:51pm

^Yes, I heard that song. It doesnt fit at all, nor did I find it catchy. The new Fiyero song is Dancing Through Life which I find much better. Just my opion though which doesnt matter much since I have not seen Which Way's The Party, but only heard it.

I really hope they dont change much.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 3:51pm

Jimmny- The song that they replaced it with is MUCH better. (btw i am in SF right now, in an apple store)

Also, for london they are adding a couple of new lines for ACT TWO and they are changing Fiyero's entrance. If the changes go over well, they will incorporate them into the other productions.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 4:27pm

They didn't make any changes for the tour or Chicago production, so it's extremely unlikely that they will make any changes for London. With each new production, it's a chance for the creative team to re-visit the show's flaws. They've now had two chances to re-visit and didn't change anything, so why would they start now?

[Matthewjames]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 4:33pm

of course they will make changes
they always change this alittle whenever a show goes into a new kind of production

and london audiences arnt like most american audiences. corny is not cute to them so they will likely change things

[pab]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 4:44pm

"and london audiences arnt like most american audiences. corny is not cute to them so they will likely change things"

Don't overestimate London audiences. I've seen some things in London that many people thought were brilliant. IMO they were not.

[Matthewjames]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 4:48pm

well that's true...

but still i think it's silly to say they wont make changes

like seriously don't they always make changes to a show when they do a new production

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 4:57pm

"...Wicked is definitely entertaining, but would you call it a great musical among the ranks of such a show as Les Miserables?"

I would hardly call Les Mis a great musical. Like so many shows, it has its flaws as well. If you want to talk great musicals, we would be better to mention shows like "Gypsy," "A Chorus Line," and "South Pacific."

[pippin2]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 5:53pm

Sidney, I stand corrected, just had the revival on my mind at the moment : )

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 6:21pm

There is nothing to "fix" about WICKED. It obviously works as is.

[Bruce Memblagh!]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 7:05pm

The schoolroom scene with Dr D has been re-worked

"One short day" has been expanded slightly and the Wizomania bit has been re-done.

"Wicked witch of the east" is now a longer and a more fleshed out song for Nessarose.

[alliez92092]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 7:09pm

I'm glad about Wicked Witch of the East. It's always been one of my favorites, and I would love to see more of Nessa.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 7:15pm

Cool. No "fixes," just changes... FOR GOOD

[BwayBaby18]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 8:01pm

They couldn't make enough changes to fix the dreadful book and mediocre score.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 8/19/06 at 8:33pm

"They couldn't make enough changes to fix the dreadful book and mediocre score."

Oh no you didn't! I do agree mostly about the score which is not one of my favorites either. I much prefer his work in "Pippin" and "Day By Day" from "Godspell" to this one.