defying gravity lift problem- Page 2

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 11/16/11 at 9:40pm

I can think of tons of moments in theatrical history way more amazing than the lift in defying gravity...

[CJ N2N]

Posted: 11/16/11 at 9:48pm

For the love of god, can we PLEASE have a thread that deals with Wicked that isn't filled with people saying how much they hate it?
Updated On: 11/16/11 at 09:48 PM

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 11/16/11 at 9:49pm

I'd demanded a refund when Mary Louise Wilson's hot plate wasn't working Grey Gardens and Matt Cavenaugh had to bite into raw corn on the cob. I was livid.

[binau]

Posted: 11/16/11 at 9:52pm

CJ N2N, the thread is full of both lovers and haters.

As one poster said, defying gravity is the greatest theatrical moment in history. I for one cannot think of anything more powerful or more moving than watching a girl shredding her vocal chords from 10 feet in the air while a fan ruffles her dress.

[CJ N2N]

Posted: 11/16/11 at 10:22pm

The beautiful thing about these boards is that the line between being sincere and being sarcastic is almost non-existant...

[CapnHook]

Posted: 11/16/11 at 10:30pm

What do you mean?

[Wishing Only Wounds]

Posted: 11/16/11 at 10:31pm

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Kerry Ellis incident yet. Anyway, I think that goes to show just how unreliable the "safety precautions" can be with Defying Gravity and the lift.

[peerrjb]

Posted: 11/16/11 at 10:50pm

In LA, Miss Stephanie J. was playing Elphaba, and was singing "DefyGrav" and didn't get connected into the machinery in time for the lift. She moved free, held that broom over her head and stormed down to the footlights, and sang the gravity out of that tune with more defiance than you can imagine. It was stunning. It was truly FAR more impressive than what was planned. The ACTRESS defied everything and the point was MADE! ( Besides, folks, she doesn't FLY. She goes UP.)

As far as FLIGHT is concerned, there ain't no flying scene like Duncan or Rigby soaring out over the house tossing glitter in PETER PAN.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 12:05am

I haven't heard of the Kerri Ellis incident, please explain??

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 12:33am

During a performance of "Defying Gravity," right as the lift was supposed to start going up, Kerry stopped singing and started screaming "Stop it! Get me off!"

Apparently she wasn't fastened in properly and the lift started to go up - I can only imagine how scary that must be! The show was stopped and a few minutes later started again sans lift.

This is all like third hand since I wasn't at the show but have read about it.

[carolinaguy]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 1:28pm

^^There's audio of that incident on YouTube. Should be easy to search for.

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 1:38pm

I believe her leg got caught.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 1:54pm

^ Yes that is what happened. Even though I am not the biggest Wicked fan and think the Defying Gravity flying effect kinda looks like Elphaba's skirt is imploding, it is an awesome effect that adds to the "wow factor" and spectacle. I do get chills when he ascends while belting "It's me."

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 3:02pm

The lift problem is that she's not flying, she's standing. It looks ridiculous for her to stand in mid air with a broom over her head. If she can levitate, then why does she need the broom?

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 3:10pm

^^^^

Maybe witches don't ride their brooms, they wield them like a wizard with his wand.

But when they get tired, the broom also provides a place to sit.

[blaxx]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 4:06pm

The lift problem is that she's not flying, she's standing. It looks ridiculous for her to stand in mid air with a broom over her head. If she can levitate, then why does she need the broom?

Are you really questioning the greatest moment in theatrical story? What a nerve!

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 4:10pm

"But when they get tired, the broom also provides a place to sit."

That Margaret Hamilton was a tired bi...I mean witch!

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 4:27pm

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.

Kudos on the enthusiasm! I agree it is a very effective moment and I do find it thrilling when it happens. But just be careful of those kinds of superlative statements in an atmosphere where there are those around who have seen everything since the original run of Show Boat. It's not going to go well for you.

That being said, the most impressive use of visual effects I've seen on stage thus far was the Act I finale of Lord of the Rings in London. My brain could hardly believe that what I was seeing could be real. I would have easily paid full price again just to run in and see that one bit of stagecraft.

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 4:57pm

"That Margaret Hamilton was a tired bi...I mean witch!"

Exhausted by her obsession with shoes, no doubt. She was an early-day Carrie Bradshaw.

***

To me, the most thrilling moments in theater have not been technical spectacles but moments where the spectacle occurred in my mind.

One of the first examples I saw: "Too Many Mornings" in FOLLIES where Ben makes loves to Young Sally, while old Sally mimes the same gestures, letting us know what each of Ben and Sally are thinking as they make love.

M. BUTTERFLY is full of such moments and they stayed with me long after I'd forgotten the director's fusion of kabuki, noh and Chinese opera.
Updated On: 11/17/11 at 04:57 PM

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 5:13pm

I had a moving experience at Follies too . . . Jan Maxwell finished her GUT WRENCHING performance of "Could I Leave You?" I was STUNNED! The lady behind me said at the top of her lungs "Her gown is GORGEOUS!!!!!" It took everything in my body to not slap her into the back wall. She was the same one who said "I didn't see THAT coming" after Bobby makes revelations to Sally about their marriage. AMAZING MOMENT! That people think their inner feelings (as profound or STUPID as they are) need to be uttered aloud!

[fingerlakessinger]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 5:24pm

Everyone has their favorite theatrical moments, and I share the sentiments that FOR ME, "Defying Gravity" is one of the best. Thats for me though. So don't hate haha

But also just to clear things up, some here are saying her "dress enlarges"...its not true. There is a cape that extends behind her to hide the machinery but when the lights come up on the legato note at the end, you can see her body floating in mid air with the cape being held back to give the illusion of her flying.

[TheKryptoniteKid]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 5:33pm

I've seen WICKED on Broadway and in Melbourne and Sydney, and each time I thought "Defying Gravity" was a really emotional and spectacular set piece.

Some friends of mine saw it on Broadway when Elpheba stayed grounded, and they did not realise she was meant to fly.

[fingerlakessinger]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 5:40pm

^I agree. I think the song itself is damn right powerful even without the lift.

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 6:21pm

Hanna, apparently they need to add to the pre-show announcement about candy wrappers and cell phones. Something to the effect of "This is a theater and not your living room. You are not watching TV. The actors are in the room and can hear and see you. When you make noise it bothers the actors as well as the rest of the audience."

[thejcm]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 8:02pm

I love Nicole Parker's retelling of the time the lift didn't work for her on her Obsessed video w/Seth Rudetsky. Something like "you're supposed to walk forward, sing for jesus, and everyone sort of lies flat".