Author's product rating: 
| Advantages: |
Great Show, Amazing Set, Special Effects ! |
| Disadvantages: |
scary in parts ! |
| Recommend to potential buyers: |
yes |
While on holiday in New York in 2003 we decided we really wanted to go and see the new musical Wicked.
This musical is based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 Novel 'Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West' It was transformed for the stage by composer and lyricist Steven Schwartz and writer Winnie Holzman with the help of a brilliant creative bringing the Technicolor magic of Oz to life with some incredible set design and costumes.
'Wicked' is the story of what happened in Oz before Dorothy arrived, why is the Wicked Witch wicked? Why is she green? How the scare Crow became, and the Tin Man, and how the Lion found his voice, why are the Ruby Slippers so special? We also find out how Glinda the good witch, got to be so good.
How to get tickets in New York: Book in advance or:
The week we were in New York was the last week that Indina Menzel was playing Elphaba due to the fact that she is very big in the world of musical theatre the show was sold out. We had two options for getting tickets, the last minute lottery or cancellations, to double our chances we decided to queue for both. The show is on at The Gershwin Theatre, located on 51st street between Broadway and 8th avenue, we weren't called out in the lottery and so decided to stay in the cancellation queue that was growing by the minute. We had decided before that we were prepared to pay full price of $100 each for a ticket as we were desperate to see it and knew that we would probably only get cancellations on the full price tickets. As the time ticked on the more worried we became having stood in line for three hours already we were getting restless, we started chatting to the people beside also from the UK and they explained that they had tickets for the following days matinee but hadn't realised that the time of the show clashed with their flight home, so they were hoping to get a refund or exchange their tickets for the show that night. Well our ears pricked up and we offered to buy the tickets off them for the following day, they agreed and so we got our tickets at $100 a piece.
London Production:
If you are going to New York and want to see this show I suggest you book in advance because it is still really popular and gets booked up fast. A West End production is opening at the Apollo Theatre, London Victoria on 27th September 2006, I am sure it will be just as good as the production I saw, advanced ticket sales are all ready at a staggering £1, 700,000. Ticket prices range from £15 - £55 and can be booked online with ticket master.
The two leads:
Elphaba: Was played by Idina Menzel, Idina played 'Maureen' in the original Broadway cast of 'Rent' and is huge in the world of musical theatre, we were lucky enough to see her in action. What an amazing voice, a lot of Elphaba's solo songs have a high long end notes and she totally blew me away. Elphaba is the Wicked Witch of the West and through this musical we watch her from birth and find why she ends up so Wicked.
Glinda is the Good Witch, we learn that Elphaba and Glinda used to be good friends but why does one turn out good and the other so evil?
More familiar characters from The Wizard of Oz are also in this story The Lion, The Scarecrow and The Tin Man as well as The Wizard of Oz himself.
Music:
All of the songs in this musical help to tell the story of the Wicked Witch of the West, we start at the end with the opening number 'No One Mourn The Wicked', the wicked witch has just been killed by Dorothy's house and the people from the land of Oz are celebrating the witches death, all that is but Glinda the good witch.
The story then goes back in time to the birth of Elphaba the wicked witch, but she wasn't born wicked, just green.
Elphaba goes of to school and we learn that her dream is to work with the Wizard of Oz, she express's this longing with her amazing solo number 'The Wizard and I'.
Glinda is sent to the same school as Elphaba and the two girls are told that they are to share a room together in the great duet 'What is this feeling' the two witches meet and find out that they don't like each other.
As time goes on they learn to help each other, Glinda tries to help Elphaba become more popular and sings a catchy number called 'Popular'.
But as time goes on and they start growing up Elphaba realises it is not just her green skin that is different she has special powers to and it is not long before she is summoned by the wizard. Will her dream to work with the wizard come true? How does she meet the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion? And how did she end up with those Ruby Slippers?
I would love to tell you more but I don't want to spoil it for you, all I can say is the singing is fantastic, hairs on the back of your neck good! I actually came out singing several of the songs, they are very catchy, inspiring and captivating, you are left wanting more.
Set, Costumes and Special Effects:
The set and costume are utterly amazing, transforming you to the land of Oz, but a darker version than the one Dorothy found in The Wizard of Oz, the special effects are amazing with flying and explosions it is a thrill every minute, this show is truly magical and transports you into a different world.
Conclusion:
This show is a big hit on Broadway and is destined to be a big West End hit as well, I recommend this musical to anyone who loves the Wizard of Oz, it is suitable for children but may be slightly scary at points for children under 8 years old.
There is so much I want to tell you but can't because it will totally ruin it for you! Hope this has been of some help! Go see it! Lizzie X
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