Wicked

[Cil]

Did anyone read the book or see the musical?
I am usually not big on musicals but we used a gift certificate to see Wicked last night and it was great, really kept my interest, the songs were witty and catchy, the stage sets colorful and elegant. Even my husband stayed awake.
Of course the musical was frothier and less pessimistic than the book, but the basic message was the same: the Wicked Witch was a serious, misunderstood radical, the Wizard of Oz was a politically corrupt tyrant, Glinda was narcissistic yet conflicted, facist overtones are woven throughout the story.
If you get a chance to see it, I recommend it.

 

[Gypsea]

Loved the book and hope to see the musical. Thanks for the review.

 

[iwishiwasthere]

The book and movie may have the same characters, but that is about it. The book is dark and not light hearted. I love the play and was amazed how they made it family friendly. The book took awhile to finish and I am a quick reader. If you get the chance to see the play, go for it.

 

[DBOldford]

I saw "Wicked" on its second venue in San Francisco (it premiered here before going to Broadway). Waited in a line for no-showers season tickets for 2 hrs. 15 min., so it had to be worth it. It was one of the most enjoyable musicals that I have ever seen. The visuals are spectacular, the music nice, and I particularly liked the storyline about the long enduring friendship and rivalry between Glenda and the Wicked Witch of the West. Frothy? Yes. But I loved it and would highly recommend both the musical and the book. The book is more cerebral, obviously and delves more into the psychology of the women and the dynamics of their tempetuous friendship. The children will love the tongue-in-cheek reference to the "Wizard of Oz" and the flying monkeys. Not sure my husband would have liked the show, however.

 

[Cil]

It was one of the most enjoyable musicals that I have ever seen. The visuals are spectacular, the music nice, and I particularly liked the storyline about the long enduring friendship and rivalry between Glenda and the Wicked Witch of the West. Frothy? Yes. But I loved it and would highly recommend both the musical and the book.The book is more cerebral, obviously and delves more into the psychology of the women and the dynamics of their tempetuous friendship. The children will love the tongue-in-cheek reference to the "Wizard of Oz" and the flying monkeys. Not sure my husband would have liked the show, however.

Love this critique, Donna. Very well put.
Yeah, my husband knows that I have to do something like this once or twice a year. There are some concerts (such as the White Stripes) that I actually have to dig someone else up to go with.

 

[Rudyjohn]

Saw it in Chicago last month with my 14 yr. old son and lots of others. We all loved it, & it's not something a teen boy would ordinarilly like. I actually have not heard anyone that didn't. Ana Geysteyer (from SNL) was superb. I had no idea that she could belt out songs so well!