Drama Event Critique- WICKED!

1.) What play or musical did you attend?

On March 30 of this year, I attended the musical Wicked performed in New York on Broadway.

2.) Give a summary or description of the play you saw (at least 150 words).

This breathtaking story is a behind the scenes look on the classic tale of Wizard of Oz. It shows the lives of the good and the wicked witches of the land and how their lives were leading up to the original classic story.  It explains questions like how Elphaba became green, and the different relationships between the witches.  It also explains how she becomes wicked. The story goes from their days in school to after the Wicked witch of the West “melts”. It is interesting because you find out things that you would have never thought about before. Elphaba becomes Wicked because of the way other’s judged her wrongly and she started to believe them and give them what they wanted her to be. The Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion are all incorporated as well and the story goes through their lives as well. Almost any question that was left unanswered in the Wizard of Oz gets answered in this musical.

3.) In 250 words, discuss the quality of the performance [include a discussion of the costumes, lighting, acting quality, direction, sound quality, and any mistakes or other problems that detracted from the performance.)

The set for this play was phenomenal! This play has been running around 10 years and has used this same stage and set the whole way through. People that I know who have seen the traveling cast and stage for Wicked said that that set doesn’t even compare to the one they have at this original stage. Everything abut it went smoothly and sometimes you didn’t even realize that the scene changed until minutes after. There was a live band that sounded very professional and the mic set up in the pit was absolutely perfect so that you could hear every single instrument. The only thing that detracted from the play was he temperature in the theater. That was the only thing but it would quickly be forgotten once the play started more into it. It was pretty cold in there.

These people are professionals so their acting quality was amazing. You compare it to other plays and its amazing how talented at acting people can get. The story was believable and you were apart of it because of how well they acted it out.

Once again I want to talk about sound quality. Their sound system is very well put together. You heard every little thing that you were supposed to hear. I don’t know how other places have some hard times with mics not working at all or making very loud noises that are distracting and sometimes hurts your ears. There was absolutely none of that. It was simply amazing how clear their voices the music, and every little detail was. And we were on the last row in the balcony!!

4.) In 250 words discuss the social & philosophical issues the play addresses and indicate what answers/conclusions were reached. What is the argument?

There are a number of issues in this play that either get solved or cause many things to happen.  First, because Elphaba is green, she struggles with fitting in anywhere.  Her father uses her to be protection for their other child and doesn’t treat her like a daughter of his own.  At school, all of the students judge her and make fun of her for the way she looks.  The good witch Glinda in her school years roomed with Elphaba which was a problem at first because Glinda is very confident in herself and is popular.  As they grow older they both love the same guy.  This messes with the friendship they had developed and by the time Elphaba is in hiding, Fiyero runs off to find her and protect her from all the people who believe she is wicked.  Every good deed that she did was viewed wrongly and the stories told by certain people were believed and Elphaba was viewed as a very wicked person even though she isn’t.  Eventually the criticism made her believe that she in fact was a wicked person.  Because she got punished for all the good things she did, she decided to never do a good thing again.  She just figured that she would just get criticized for everything she did so why try?

One connection I made with Humanities class, was how Elphaba wanted to protect the animals of the land.  In our humanities class we discus doing what we can in saving wildlife and protecting the environment.  That’s what Elphaba does and was criticized for it as people are today.

5.) If this was a musical or opera, discuss the role of music played in the work. (150 words)

Music is a very large part of this Musical. It is called a “Musical”! All of the feelings of characters and very prominent parts of the book are expressed through the Music. The music is very important to me because that is all I was able to hear of the play before I got to see it. For many people that is the only part of the Musical that they know. Even just by listening to the CD you get pretty much all of the story There are only tiny details that you don’t hear in the music. I was very impressed by those who played and sang the music when I was there. The music very much gives a dimension to the play that is wouldn’t have gotten anyway else. It is amazing to me how much Music can impact any musical or play. Can you imagine a movie without background music. Try it sometime and put a horror movie on mute. Its definitely not as scary, or maybe even not scary at all. The same is with musicals. It would not be the same without the Music. And I LOVE  to sing a long J.

6.) What did you find out about the background of the work or playwright? (look it up on the web, 100 words)

Wicked was originally a book but when it was read by Stephen Swartz, music writer and composer, he knew instantly that he wanted to make it a musical. With the help of Gregory McGuire they worked together to revise the book so that it would be compatible as a play. After getting the music and costumes finalized they took it to the San Francisco Pre-Broadway trial. After they were done playing they received a standing ovation. The crowd’s reaction was as if they were already a smash hit on Broadway. They were then placed on Broadway were the city buzz about the show made it become a big hit and still is today. (http://www.wickedwestend.co.uk/articles-reviews/wicked-history.htm)

7.) Would you recommend this performance to others? Why or why not? (100 words)

I would definitely recommend this performance to others!! I really enjoy Wicked and it was amazing to see it on Broadway. If people don’t get a chance to go to New York and see it there then the traveling show would still be worth seeing. The story is very interesting and I think that those who don’t know what it is are missing out on a huge story that occurred before Dorothy even got to Oz. It’s amazing what else is incorporated and the things you find out for yourself. When you see the story you become shocked to know the “truth”. It becomes the real story and makes watching Wizard of Oz so much more fun!

8.) What was your personal reaction to this performance? Would you enjoy attending this type of event again? Why or why not? (100 words)

My family has loved this play and we sing to the CD all of the time. I remember the first time I listened to the music, we listened to it the whole drive to and from Las Vagas. Watching the musical live was exciting and I couldn’t help but sing along. Which probably was very annoying to the people sitting infront of me but I loved it. I am excited because the traveling cast is coming to Utah this summer and I will most likely be attending. Any Broadway experience in one that you will never forget your whole life because of how well done it is and how much you fall in love with the story! I am very excited and so yes, I would definitely attending this event again.