defying gravity lift problem

Posted: 2/22/08 at 4:27pm

hey does anyone have a video or know of a video when the lift didn't work in wicked? I really want to see it!

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 4:47pm

Nope. Seems its such a rare occurence that no video exists in the entire bootleg circuit of a performance where the cherry picker didn't work.

This is right up there with any footage of Laura Bell Bundy subbing for La Chenoweth as Glinda.

[maya5892]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 4:54pm

That's not true BF. There actually is audio on that site. But shhhh.

[blaxx]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 4:59pm

Yup, audio but no video.

[PUPPETMAN]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 5:07pm

Was the recent accident with the lift or a trap door?

[bwayguy22089]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 5:56pm

I think the last time there was a problem was in late November, early December? I think right after the strike. Not sure though. All I know is that when it doesn't work the actress playing Elphaba usually goes vocally crazy lol...to make up for it.

[Elphabuff2]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 7:15pm

Doesn't the lift malfunction once during a Taye Diggs performance?

[Charlie No-One]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 7:36pm

What happens when the lift malfunctions? What do they do to make up for it?


Elphbabuff, where did you get that picture of Ursula?
Updated On: 2/22/08 at 07:36 PM

[lakezurich]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 7:39pm

The actress just stands in the cherry picker and sings the song, without actually going up

[insertclevernamehere]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 7:45pm

I've been in the audience when that happened. The Elphaba just sang it on the stage, and all the ensemble backed away from her. The only thing that made it funny was the cranky people next to me who appearantly only saw the show to see someone fly. They tried to get a refund and when they couldn't they spent the whole second act b******* about it.

[gypsy4]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 7:47pm

giggles

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 7:53pm

Updated On: 5/7/09 at 07:53 PM

[PUPPETMAN]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 7:55pm

It messed up CATS when the big tires would not take Grizabella to the heavey side layer at the end.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 7:56pm

lakezurich-- love your avatar.

[Just_John]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 8:14pm

I think that's really unfair that they didn't refund the money of the people who wanted to see Elphaba fly or at least give them free tickets to another performance. When I took the Behind the Emerald Curtain tour they told us that they refunded the money of people who complained when the Wizard head didn't move because Anthony Galde didn't get behind it in time to control it.

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 8:17pm

Updated On: 5/7/09 at 08:17 PM

[lakezurich]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 9:04pm

thanks Jaystarr

[Elphabuff2]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 9:52pm

Hmmm, I thought some posters discussed getting a refund for a lift malfunction, but LePetite's explanation completely makes sense. I love the show, but I would be devastated if the lift didn't function properly for my viewing. I know it's lame and superficial, but it's how I'd react.

[MrBundles]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 10:23pm

I saw Phantom in Vegas, and my friend went with me SPECIFICALLY just to see the chandelier fall, and it didn't.

I know, a little different than a flying witch, but still. haha.

...or rather, a "lifted" witch.

[winston89]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 11:02pm

The difference between the wizard's head and the cherry picker is this. That the cherry picker is controlled by a computer. And it doesn't go up unless EVERYTHING falls into the right place. Keep in mind that there have been far more times that it went up then didn't so you can guess how reliable that computer is. But still.


The situation with the Wizard's head is something that is controlled by a person in this case the actor. The actor had to be there at the right time and wasn't.

Frankly I don't think either of them warrant a refund/exchange.

By buying a ticket to the theatre you have to realize that there is a small chance that things won't always go as planned and you just sometimes have to deal.

I know that there are some shows that have a backup plan that are very technical. I know that in Les Miserables. If the turntable didn't work for whatever reason. They continued the show concert style.

And, the last thing I have to say is that it is different to have a Marquee name in the show and to give a refund when they aren't there. By giving someone above the title billing it is the producers way of saying come see this actor/actress in this particular show. When they aren't there then they have to give you a refund because they promised you that they were going to be there. They don't show up you get a refund.

I know that many of the tourist theatre goers aren't as understanding as the people here in terms of a problem with a show. Either technically like the cherry picker not working or casting like the above the titled billed castmember was out that night for whatever reason.

But, there has to be a limit of what is understandable and what isn't. It's live theatre. Tourists have to realize that mistakes are part of live theatre and they can't expect a refund every single time there is one minor thing that goes wrong.

Even if I paid 70 bucks for a ticket and there is above the title casting in the show that i am seeing. And even if the person is out I don't complain. I use that as a chance to see the understudy and get a good performance regardless.

[lakezurich]

Posted: 2/23/08 at 2:56am

I think it would be quite interesting to see a performance in which the Cherry Picker didn't work.

[JamesBroadwayWiner]

Posted: 11/16/11 at 8:51pm

While I agree that it is live theatre, there will be small mishaps. But, the lift in Defying Gravity is the most amazing moment in theatrical history. I would definatley demand a refund if it didn't go up. Actually, thats one of my biggest fears: the lift not going up when I go to see Wicked. I would not care as much about the Wizard head :)

[CapnHook]

Posted: 11/16/11 at 8:59pm

"But, the lift in Defying Gravity is the most amazing moment in theatrical history."

Really? And by what qualifiers do you deem this to be true?

[fingerlakessinger]

Posted: 11/16/11 at 9:06pm

Okay...so don't jump on the kid for thinking that haha.

but it is NOT reason to demand a refund. Things happen, the show will go on.

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 11/16/11 at 9:30pm

It makes me sad that anyone goes to the theater to see a chandelier fall or a witch ride a cherry-picker (even if it is the most amazing moment in theater history).