Posted by Mark Harvey on November 24, 2008 3:59 PM|Permalink
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On November 29th, I attended the matinee performance of Wicked! At the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis. This particular run has already been in other cities across the nation and has been attracting audiences like mad. Who could blame anyone for wanting to see this musical, based of the life of the Wicked Witch of the West? It’s filled with humor, drama, outrageous costumes, whimsical dancing and mind-boggling songs. The audience ranged from tiny tots in their own “ruby reds� to the elderly. Wicked has something for everyone.
The attempt that was trying to be made in this play was pure entertainment. The story revolves around Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West, and their whirlwind schooldays together, their unlikely friendship and the “true� story of the Wicked Witch. Opening the show, Glinda (played by Katie Rose Clarke) appears in, what else, a bubble to tell the citizens of Oz about the death of the Wicked Witch. Clarke’s clear soprano rang true as Glinda, reminding us of Kristen Chenowith (who premiered the role) but still making it her own, and captivating the audience. The ensemble was not very big, but they certainly sounded tremendous in the opening number.
After a brief explanation of Elphaba’s childhood, we are transported to their school, and we first meet the green one. Donna Vivino as Elphaba was absolutely phenomenal. As with Clarke, the audience was reminded of Idina Menzel, who premiered the role, and like Clarke, she certainly made it work perfectly for her. Her strong voice never wavered; one could tell she’d been a member of the Equity since her first role as 8 year old Cosette in the original cast of Les Miserables. I was particularly captivated by her, she embraced her role, and I began to believe that Vivino was the Wicked Witch! She and Clarke together made the show, and transported the audience right into Oz. Vivino and Clarke’s performance was greatly supported by Richard H. Blake as the dual love interest Fiyero, Myra Lucretia Taylor as the sneaky Madame Morrible and of course, Lenny Wolpe as the Wizard. Every cast member put their heart and soul into their role. Characters who sang only a verse or two, like Boq (Ben Liebert) and Nessarose (Kristine Reese) were trembling with effort; even down to the lucky ensemble members who got to speak a few words in the whole play. This cast played off of each other beautifully.
The pit orchestra had a great sound without being overpowering. The sound had great balance, and filled the space well. The lighting effects were great; there was a rain effect that boggled my mind. . .was it a projected image or a strange, rotating template? There were moments where the actors couldn’t find their light, but it’s a mistake that did not detract from the performance. The set was phenomenal. Across the top of the percineum was a giant metallic dragon who’s head moved and eyes lit up during the more dramatic parts. Along the sides, the stage was decorated with different mechanical looking things, like gears and pulleys and things that looked like they belonged on a construction site, and all of it was embellished with a beautiful vine pattern. They had a ton of different backdrops on flys, and set pieces that came on tracs built on the stage. Also, in certain scenes, Vivino and various ensemble members dressed as flying monkeys were rigged up to fly.
Wicked was certainly a sight to behold. From the actors to the pit to the crew, everything was spot on. There was no one area that out-shone the other, they all blended together to make a great performance.
On Saturday, November 28th I attended the Broadway hit “Wicked!� I had overwhelming expectations for this play based on the reviews it’s been getting nationwide, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. The musical, about the wicked witch of the west, appealed to all theater lovers. When it was all said and done, “Wicked!� certainly hit this one out of the ballpark.
Wicked tells the story of Elphaba, the future wicked witch of the west and her relationship with Galinda, the good witch of the north. Throughout the play, their friendship struggles through many hardships such as opposing personalities and having the same love interest. Watching Elphaba’s transformation into the wicked witch of the west was certainly something to see. With her green skin, she was largely misunderstood. Glinda was the beautiful blonde girl whom everyone loved. Elphaba’s determination to oppose the wizard takes a turn for the worst.
Most of the play is set before the date and time of “The Wizard of Oz,� but there are many references to it throughout the play. I didn’t even realize that the plot of this play was meant to be a prequel, but it made perfect sense with all of the references to “Oz� in the play. The play really brings a sense of closure about how Elphaba became the wicked witch of the west.
Stephen Schwartz did a phenomenal job with the music in this play. The cast sounded tremendous and all of the songs were performed with a sense of ease. The score almost seemed like it would fit a film rather than a musical, but it fit the play perfectly. The orchestra certainly stood out in my mind. They sounded great, but at the same time they weren’t overpowering. The orchestra, singing, and dancing all complimented each other very well.
Wicked! is certainly a spectacle that needs to be seen by all musical lovers. It combined all aspects of a great theatrical performance, and I left the theater smiling. There are no flaws in this play, and I would be hard-pressed to find someone who didn’t enjoy it. It certainly lived up to the hype.
After seeing the Broadway production of Wicked on tour at the Orpheum, this saying couldn’t be more true. Ever since Wicked’s premiere, audiences have been screaming for more. I have been following the Wicked productions for a while now, but have never had the privilege to see a Broadway production. To say that the performance exceeded my expectations would be an under statement.
Everyone knows the story of the Wizard of Oz, but what happened before Dorothy dropped in? This is the theme of the new musical Wicked. The story twists and turns around the wonderful world of Oz as we follow the story of the Galinda and Elphaba before they became the Glinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch, and in the process reveals how the Cowardly Lion became cowardly, the Tin Man lost his heart, and so much more. The story grapples with tough issues on what causes people to become who they are, and how everyone handles a rise to power differently.
The set alone was enough to cause ones imagination to take flight. An elaborate Dragon covered the top of the stage, which was riddled with clockwork and cogs; effectively creating the “Dragon Clock� as found in the original book. This eye-catching stage was only the beginning. Every type of set was used throughout this performance. Elaborate wagons, large scrims, and several backdrops all pulled together effectively to establish clear scene changes. Not only was the set extremely impressive, but also very effective.
The lighting worked seamlessly with the set design to maintain the illusion of another reality, as well as aid in the effectiveness of the scene changes. Emerald lights lit up the stage as we arrived in the Emerald City. Multi colored lights danced across the stage as we entered the ballroom. And, my personal favorite, lights lit up a stage wide scrim as the “wicked witch� was attacked by the soldiers and began to “melt� behind it. On the whole, the lighting was absolutely flawless as it illuminated not only the actor’s faces, but the scene’s as well.
The acting was phenomenal. Each role was executed so successfully that the audience forgot that Oz is not a real place. Unfortunately although each actor portrayed their character(s) so successfully, there is not time to review every single performance. Therefore I will just highlight some of the leading roles. Elphaba, or the Wicked Witch (Donna Vivino) drew us into her story form the moment she first set foot on stage. And though it may have been her shockingly green skin that first grabbed our attention, it was her powerful voice and endearing character that kept it. Her younger sister Nessarose (Kristine Reese) though not green, joined the story with her strong voice and sweet character. Boq (Ben Leibet) was a fantastic munchkin boy in both appearance and voice. Everything about him seemed little, form his voice to his clothes, although there was nothing little about his talent. Fiyero danced his way on stage as the cocky, self-absorbed heartthrob, with a powerful voice to boot. And though his powerful voice continued through the rest of the show, as his heartthrob act begins to fade the audience began to the sensitive soul beneath. One of the most powerful voices on stage was without a doubt, Mya Lucretia Taylor playing Madame Morrible . Her voice reached across the audience in a commanding style very fitting to her role as the head of the school. The character that shined the most, on the evening of the performance I attended, was Glinda (Katie Rose Clarke). Glinda was both beautiful and powerful, spoiled and funny, rude and thoughtful, selfish and selfless. With such a complex character it was only fitting that she have a voice to match. Glinda’s voice went from silly to serious in a matter of seconds, and her range was quite impressive.
A quick overview of this performance of Wicked leaves nothing wanting. Such an exceptional show is truly a joy to watch. I am only disappointed I couldn’t have watched it twice.
Reading these other reviews i recalled some things about the technical aspects of the show that i would like to delve a little further into.
Fisrt of all, I am a Theater BA and my strengths are in acting, so i usually focus on the actors when I see a performance rather than the space they're in. However, when I saw "Wicked!" i went with two young ladies who are attending college specifically for technical direction. Instead of ooh-ing and aah-ing over the actors, they talked about how amazing the set was, which made me realize how intracate is actually was.
The lighting really emphasized the mood when changing from scene to scene. The beginning was rather bright and warm, and as the plot thickened, and as Elphaba became more and more wicked, the light grew darker and used more greens and blue; cooler colors. The techies also made great use of the scrim; i often saw light being played off it, and even some back-lighting effects were used with the scrim. Also, special effects were created by light. Lightning tore through the house during the "As Long as You're Mine" sequence, and in the scene where Elphaba frees the flying monkeys from their cage, a projecter cast the image of several flynn monkeys onto the wings of the Dragon Clock, making it appear as if there were hundreds of flying monkeys, rather than the ones we saw on stage.
The sound also intensified the production. Not only in sound effects like the noises of thunder, rain or the natural "ambiance" noises that would briefly occur between scenes. There were several times in which an echo effect was put on Vivino's microphone, so when Elphaba was singing a particualrly strong, angsty or sorrowful verse, the effect packed an exra punch that sent shivers down my spine.
The technical aspect of the show were just as great as the actors' performances. I'm glad I attended this show with people who could bring these things to my attention.
Ever since the Broadway sensation "Wicked" swept the nation, people have been buzzing with excitement and amazement about the show. Though I knew the show well since it came out, I was finally able to see it for myself for the first time this month when the touring Wicked came to the Orpheum in the Twin Cities. Despite the enormous expectations I had going in, I was not disappointed at all. Everything was impressive including the acting, singing, music, and sets.
The entire cast seemed to have been bred for their role in Wicked. The audience was so entranced by the characters that they forgot they were seeing actors on a stage. Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West was played by Donna Vivino. Her performance had the crowds screaming their approval before the last note in her first song "The Wizard and I" had faded. Her powerful voice carried to every corner of the performance area and she hit notes that only a talented singer could hit. Playing opposite her as Galinda, or Glinda the Good, was Katie Rose Clarke. Clarke had a clear soprano tone that rang over the beginning scene as she floated elegantly down in her bubble. Both women were perfect for the roles not only for their vocal talents, but also for their acting. While Elphaba was a sad and angry character, Glida seemed the opposite, and yet the crowd could easily sympathize with both of them. Other notable cast members include Nessarose (Kristine Reese), Fiyero (Richard H. Blake), Boq (Ben Leibet), The Wizard (Lenny Wolpe), and Madame Morrible (Mya Lucretia Taylor). Each actor had extraordinary voices not to mention superb acting skills which made us believe that the characters were real.
The music was nothing short of what I expected. The pit orchestra played an overpowering Overture before the cast rushed on to join, and they definitely caught the audiences attention and set the mood for the entire evening.
The set was indescribable. The audience was lost in the wonderful world of Oz. The lighting was dramatic too. When it rained, I actually thought it was raining. One of the most famous parts in the musical is the final scene before intermission at the end of Defying Gravity. It was as wonderful as I had heard it would be. We believed Elphaba was flying.
Wicked is a wonderful show for all ages, and will continue to entrance the world for many years to come.
After seeing the musical "Wicked!" a few aspects of the play really stood out for me; the sound, and the lighting, and how it had the ability to entertain all fans, no matter the age.
The sound at the Orpheum was simply spectacular. I noticed and definitely appreciated the subtle sounds and noises in between each scene, and I felt it added to the overall effect of the transition between scenes. The orchestra sounded phenomenal. I didn't notice one mistake, and to an extent, I didn't even notice them because it was so perfect. They did a great job of filling in otherwise dead space in a play that didn't have too many silent moments. The thunderstorm sounds were especially cool to me, and it certainly teamed up with the lighting to make a really interesting effect.
The lighting as a whole might have been the most entertaining part of the play for me. It had such a good effect, that I actually felt like things were happening to me that the lighting was trying to display. When is was raining, it actually had the effect on me that it was raining. When there was lighting, the lighting effects made it feel like real lighting. My favorite effect was the way the the projector showed flying monkeys landing on the clock. It caught me off guard, but it was definitely a neat effect. The lighting as a whole was simply second to none.
The third aspect that stood out to me after seeing this play was the way it appealed to all theater-goers. Younger kids could be entertained with stories like the scare crow, or simply things like the tornado. Teenagers can really relate with Elphaba and the hardships she is going through to be accepted in her society. Lastly, adults were entertained with the deeper meanings of the story, such as the friendship between the two girls and the sacrifices they must make. Also, adults could really grasp the meaning that government controls what is good and bad, and who is good and evil.
Overall, these three aspects, among many others, really stood out. The combination of these aspects that were used in the play made it a delight to watch and made it quite possibly my favorite musical I've ever seen.
Wicked, one of the most spectacular and whimsical productions shown to date. The performance of the actors was outstanding, but without the lighting, song and dance routines, and costumes designs this play would not be up to par.
the lighting in this production was so creative it was almost mind blowing. It really was a key ingredient in the making of the production. Even though, it is a professional production, i did not expect the brilliant color changes from scene to scene and song to song. The lighting director hit it dead on the nose when trying to provoke a certain emotion with each scene.
Similarly with the lighting, the costumes in the musical were unbelievably detailed. For those who have read the book, the costumes closely related to the images had while reading the novel. EAch costume really help add to tell the story of each and every character in the production.
As for the song and dance of Wicked, one word, fascinating. I could not take my eyes off the actors. Glinda, played by Katie Rose Clarke, especially added a unique quality to the play because of her high pitched voice. It really fit her character on top of it all. the extraordinary dancing skills of everyone in the production was very eye-catching and fun to watch.
As a whole, this production told the story of the Wicked witch of the west, all the while doing it in a fun and playful manner. Many humorous scenes will leave the crowd of any age in an uproar of laughter.
Comments
On November 29th, I attended the matinee performance of Wicked! At the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis. This particular run has already been in other cities across the nation and has been attracting audiences like mad. Who could blame anyone for wanting to see this musical, based of the life of the Wicked Witch of the West? It’s filled with humor, drama, outrageous costumes, whimsical dancing and mind-boggling songs. The audience ranged from tiny tots in their own “ruby reds� to the elderly. Wicked has something for everyone.
The attempt that was trying to be made in this play was pure entertainment. The story revolves around Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West, and their whirlwind schooldays together, their unlikely friendship and the “true� story of the Wicked Witch. Opening the show, Glinda (played by Katie Rose Clarke) appears in, what else, a bubble to tell the citizens of Oz about the death of the Wicked Witch. Clarke’s clear soprano rang true as Glinda, reminding us of Kristen Chenowith (who premiered the role) but still making it her own, and captivating the audience. The ensemble was not very big, but they certainly sounded tremendous in the opening number.
After a brief explanation of Elphaba’s childhood, we are transported to their school, and we first meet the green one. Donna Vivino as Elphaba was absolutely phenomenal. As with Clarke, the audience was reminded of Idina Menzel, who premiered the role, and like Clarke, she certainly made it work perfectly for her. Her strong voice never wavered; one could tell she’d been a member of the Equity since her first role as 8 year old Cosette in the original cast of Les Miserables. I was particularly captivated by her, she embraced her role, and I began to believe that Vivino was the Wicked Witch! She and Clarke together made the show, and transported the audience right into Oz. Vivino and Clarke’s performance was greatly supported by Richard H. Blake as the dual love interest Fiyero, Myra Lucretia Taylor as the sneaky Madame Morrible and of course, Lenny Wolpe as the Wizard. Every cast member put their heart and soul into their role. Characters who sang only a verse or two, like Boq (Ben Liebert) and Nessarose (Kristine Reese) were trembling with effort; even down to the lucky ensemble members who got to speak a few words in the whole play. This cast played off of each other beautifully.
The pit orchestra had a great sound without being overpowering. The sound had great balance, and filled the space well. The lighting effects were great; there was a rain effect that boggled my mind. . .was it a projected image or a strange, rotating template? There were moments where the actors couldn’t find their light, but it’s a mistake that did not detract from the performance. The set was phenomenal. Across the top of the percineum was a giant metallic dragon who’s head moved and eyes lit up during the more dramatic parts. Along the sides, the stage was decorated with different mechanical looking things, like gears and pulleys and things that looked like they belonged on a construction site, and all of it was embellished with a beautiful vine pattern. They had a ton of different backdrops on flys, and set pieces that came on tracs built on the stage. Also, in certain scenes, Vivino and various ensemble members dressed as flying monkeys were rigged up to fly.
Wicked was certainly a sight to behold. From the actors to the pit to the crew, everything was spot on. There was no one area that out-shone the other, they all blended together to make a great performance.
Posted by: Stephanie Hammon | December 1, 2008 11:18 AM
On Saturday, November 28th I attended the Broadway hit “Wicked!� I had overwhelming expectations for this play based on the reviews it’s been getting nationwide, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. The musical, about the wicked witch of the west, appealed to all theater lovers. When it was all said and done, “Wicked!� certainly hit this one out of the ballpark.
Wicked tells the story of Elphaba, the future wicked witch of the west and her relationship with Galinda, the good witch of the north. Throughout the play, their friendship struggles through many hardships such as opposing personalities and having the same love interest. Watching Elphaba’s transformation into the wicked witch of the west was certainly something to see. With her green skin, she was largely misunderstood. Glinda was the beautiful blonde girl whom everyone loved. Elphaba’s determination to oppose the wizard takes a turn for the worst.
Most of the play is set before the date and time of “The Wizard of Oz,� but there are many references to it throughout the play. I didn’t even realize that the plot of this play was meant to be a prequel, but it made perfect sense with all of the references to “Oz� in the play. The play really brings a sense of closure about how Elphaba became the wicked witch of the west.
Stephen Schwartz did a phenomenal job with the music in this play. The cast sounded tremendous and all of the songs were performed with a sense of ease. The score almost seemed like it would fit a film rather than a musical, but it fit the play perfectly. The orchestra certainly stood out in my mind. They sounded great, but at the same time they weren’t overpowering. The orchestra, singing, and dancing all complimented each other very well.
Wicked! is certainly a spectacle that needs to be seen by all musical lovers. It combined all aspects of a great theatrical performance, and I left the theater smiling. There are no flaws in this play, and I would be hard-pressed to find someone who didn’t enjoy it. It certainly lived up to the hype.
Posted by: Alec Kinsky | December 2, 2008 12:00 PM
“I have been changed for good�
After seeing the Broadway production of Wicked on tour at the Orpheum, this saying couldn’t be more true. Ever since Wicked’s premiere, audiences have been screaming for more. I have been following the Wicked productions for a while now, but have never had the privilege to see a Broadway production. To say that the performance exceeded my expectations would be an under statement.
Everyone knows the story of the Wizard of Oz, but what happened before Dorothy dropped in? This is the theme of the new musical Wicked. The story twists and turns around the wonderful world of Oz as we follow the story of the Galinda and Elphaba before they became the Glinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch, and in the process reveals how the Cowardly Lion became cowardly, the Tin Man lost his heart, and so much more. The story grapples with tough issues on what causes people to become who they are, and how everyone handles a rise to power differently.
The set alone was enough to cause ones imagination to take flight. An elaborate Dragon covered the top of the stage, which was riddled with clockwork and cogs; effectively creating the “Dragon Clock� as found in the original book. This eye-catching stage was only the beginning. Every type of set was used throughout this performance. Elaborate wagons, large scrims, and several backdrops all pulled together effectively to establish clear scene changes. Not only was the set extremely impressive, but also very effective.
The lighting worked seamlessly with the set design to maintain the illusion of another reality, as well as aid in the effectiveness of the scene changes. Emerald lights lit up the stage as we arrived in the Emerald City. Multi colored lights danced across the stage as we entered the ballroom. And, my personal favorite, lights lit up a stage wide scrim as the “wicked witch� was attacked by the soldiers and began to “melt� behind it. On the whole, the lighting was absolutely flawless as it illuminated not only the actor’s faces, but the scene’s as well.
The acting was phenomenal. Each role was executed so successfully that the audience forgot that Oz is not a real place. Unfortunately although each actor portrayed their character(s) so successfully, there is not time to review every single performance. Therefore I will just highlight some of the leading roles. Elphaba, or the Wicked Witch (Donna Vivino) drew us into her story form the moment she first set foot on stage. And though it may have been her shockingly green skin that first grabbed our attention, it was her powerful voice and endearing character that kept it. Her younger sister Nessarose (Kristine Reese) though not green, joined the story with her strong voice and sweet character. Boq (Ben Leibet) was a fantastic munchkin boy in both appearance and voice. Everything about him seemed little, form his voice to his clothes, although there was nothing little about his talent. Fiyero danced his way on stage as the cocky, self-absorbed heartthrob, with a powerful voice to boot. And though his powerful voice continued through the rest of the show, as his heartthrob act begins to fade the audience began to the sensitive soul beneath. One of the most powerful voices on stage was without a doubt, Mya Lucretia Taylor playing Madame Morrible . Her voice reached across the audience in a commanding style very fitting to her role as the head of the school. The character that shined the most, on the evening of the performance I attended, was Glinda (Katie Rose Clarke). Glinda was both beautiful and powerful, spoiled and funny, rude and thoughtful, selfish and selfless. With such a complex character it was only fitting that she have a voice to match. Glinda’s voice went from silly to serious in a matter of seconds, and her range was quite impressive.
A quick overview of this performance of Wicked leaves nothing wanting. Such an exceptional show is truly a joy to watch. I am only disappointed I couldn’t have watched it twice.
Posted by: Rachel Jane Swedburg | December 2, 2008 12:26 PM
Reading these other reviews i recalled some things about the technical aspects of the show that i would like to delve a little further into.
Fisrt of all, I am a Theater BA and my strengths are in acting, so i usually focus on the actors when I see a performance rather than the space they're in. However, when I saw "Wicked!" i went with two young ladies who are attending college specifically for technical direction. Instead of ooh-ing and aah-ing over the actors, they talked about how amazing the set was, which made me realize how intracate is actually was.
The lighting really emphasized the mood when changing from scene to scene. The beginning was rather bright and warm, and as the plot thickened, and as Elphaba became more and more wicked, the light grew darker and used more greens and blue; cooler colors. The techies also made great use of the scrim; i often saw light being played off it, and even some back-lighting effects were used with the scrim. Also, special effects were created by light. Lightning tore through the house during the "As Long as You're Mine" sequence, and in the scene where Elphaba frees the flying monkeys from their cage, a projecter cast the image of several flynn monkeys onto the wings of the Dragon Clock, making it appear as if there were hundreds of flying monkeys, rather than the ones we saw on stage.
The sound also intensified the production. Not only in sound effects like the noises of thunder, rain or the natural "ambiance" noises that would briefly occur between scenes. There were several times in which an echo effect was put on Vivino's microphone, so when Elphaba was singing a particualrly strong, angsty or sorrowful verse, the effect packed an exra punch that sent shivers down my spine.
The technical aspect of the show were just as great as the actors' performances. I'm glad I attended this show with people who could bring these things to my attention.
Posted by: Stephanie Hammon | December 4, 2008 6:02 PM
Ever since the Broadway sensation "Wicked" swept the nation, people have been buzzing with excitement and amazement about the show. Though I knew the show well since it came out, I was finally able to see it for myself for the first time this month when the touring Wicked came to the Orpheum in the Twin Cities. Despite the enormous expectations I had going in, I was not disappointed at all. Everything was impressive including the acting, singing, music, and sets.
The entire cast seemed to have been bred for their role in Wicked. The audience was so entranced by the characters that they forgot they were seeing actors on a stage. Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West was played by Donna Vivino. Her performance had the crowds screaming their approval before the last note in her first song "The Wizard and I" had faded. Her powerful voice carried to every corner of the performance area and she hit notes that only a talented singer could hit. Playing opposite her as Galinda, or Glinda the Good, was Katie Rose Clarke. Clarke had a clear soprano tone that rang over the beginning scene as she floated elegantly down in her bubble. Both women were perfect for the roles not only for their vocal talents, but also for their acting. While Elphaba was a sad and angry character, Glida seemed the opposite, and yet the crowd could easily sympathize with both of them. Other notable cast members include Nessarose (Kristine Reese), Fiyero (Richard H. Blake), Boq (Ben Leibet), The Wizard (Lenny Wolpe), and Madame Morrible (Mya Lucretia Taylor). Each actor had extraordinary voices not to mention superb acting skills which made us believe that the characters were real.
The music was nothing short of what I expected. The pit orchestra played an overpowering Overture before the cast rushed on to join, and they definitely caught the audiences attention and set the mood for the entire evening.
The set was indescribable. The audience was lost in the wonderful world of Oz. The lighting was dramatic too. When it rained, I actually thought it was raining. One of the most famous parts in the musical is the final scene before intermission at the end of Defying Gravity. It was as wonderful as I had heard it would be. We believed Elphaba was flying.
Wicked is a wonderful show for all ages, and will continue to entrance the world for many years to come.
Posted by: Kayla Barry | December 6, 2008 3:33 PM
After seeing the musical "Wicked!" a few aspects of the play really stood out for me; the sound, and the lighting, and how it had the ability to entertain all fans, no matter the age.
The sound at the Orpheum was simply spectacular. I noticed and definitely appreciated the subtle sounds and noises in between each scene, and I felt it added to the overall effect of the transition between scenes. The orchestra sounded phenomenal. I didn't notice one mistake, and to an extent, I didn't even notice them because it was so perfect. They did a great job of filling in otherwise dead space in a play that didn't have too many silent moments. The thunderstorm sounds were especially cool to me, and it certainly teamed up with the lighting to make a really interesting effect.
The lighting as a whole might have been the most entertaining part of the play for me. It had such a good effect, that I actually felt like things were happening to me that the lighting was trying to display. When is was raining, it actually had the effect on me that it was raining. When there was lighting, the lighting effects made it feel like real lighting. My favorite effect was the way the the projector showed flying monkeys landing on the clock. It caught me off guard, but it was definitely a neat effect. The lighting as a whole was simply second to none.
The third aspect that stood out to me after seeing this play was the way it appealed to all theater-goers. Younger kids could be entertained with stories like the scare crow, or simply things like the tornado. Teenagers can really relate with Elphaba and the hardships she is going through to be accepted in her society. Lastly, adults were entertained with the deeper meanings of the story, such as the friendship between the two girls and the sacrifices they must make. Also, adults could really grasp the meaning that government controls what is good and bad, and who is good and evil.
Overall, these three aspects, among many others, really stood out. The combination of these aspects that were used in the play made it a delight to watch and made it quite possibly my favorite musical I've ever seen.
Posted by: Alec Kinsky | December 9, 2008 10:21 AM
Wicked, one of the most spectacular and whimsical productions shown to date. The performance of the actors was outstanding, but without the lighting, song and dance routines, and costumes designs this play would not be up to par.
the lighting in this production was so creative it was almost mind blowing. It really was a key ingredient in the making of the production. Even though, it is a professional production, i did not expect the brilliant color changes from scene to scene and song to song. The lighting director hit it dead on the nose when trying to provoke a certain emotion with each scene.
Similarly with the lighting, the costumes in the musical were unbelievably detailed. For those who have read the book, the costumes closely related to the images had while reading the novel. EAch costume really help add to tell the story of each and every character in the production.
As for the song and dance of Wicked, one word, fascinating. I could not take my eyes off the actors. Glinda, played by Katie Rose Clarke, especially added a unique quality to the play because of her high pitched voice. It really fit her character on top of it all. the extraordinary dancing skills of everyone in the production was very eye-catching and fun to watch.
As a whole, this production told the story of the Wicked witch of the west, all the while doing it in a fun and playful manner. Many humorous scenes will leave the crowd of any age in an uproar of laughter.
Posted by: Alyssa Mullen | December 10, 2008 12:04 AM