I have been attcked by many theatrical-wannabe-college students because i don't think that Wicked is amazing. I don't despise the show, it's just "meh." My first real Schwarts experience was Children of Eden. It wins in my book for best opening scene. While its story is essentially zilch, the music is quite nice.
Then came along Wicked. When someone played it, i thought i was listening to CoE. Schwartz is digging himself into a very narrow idiom, i.e. "glistening" major 7th chords, and taking stories from books, whether is be Wicked, Genesis, or even the Gospels...we won't go to that show...
I think more careful construction of the interplay of acting, dance, and music is needed in general for Broadway.
Shows to die. But some are kept alive on artificial resuscitation...*cough* Cats, *cough* Les Miserables...*cough* artistic prostitiution.
Pretty isn't beautiful, mother. Pretty is what changes. What the eye arranges is what is beautiful.