Did Wicked go through alot of Problems before it opened?

[finebydesign]

"The only reason it is still running is because of teenage fangirls and word of mouth."

Sure teenage girls love the show, but it's "good." When I saw it, I thought it was ok, but I never expected it to have the legs it does.

Wicked's success is not just because it appeals to teenage girls. It is a great production that appeals to wide audience. I wouldn't call it Shakespeare, but come on, this show isn't a some kind of folly. Audience love that show and they tell everyone they know AND they come back.

[Mister Matt]

The only reason it is still running is because of teenage fangirls and word of mouth.

I highly doubt it. The show has been running almost ten years now with very little change in attendance or income. The original fangirls are in their twenties. It was pretty evident early in previews on Broadway that the show would be a runaway smash hit. Yes, it has lots of teenage fangirls, but they don't make up the nearly $1.5+ million in ticket sale each week. But word of mouth is not just "only" a reason. Word of mouth is essential for EVERY show that wants to recoup on Broadway whether it is Wicked or Once or Next to Normal. Good reviews will only get you so far without word of mouth and a savvy marketing team. Just ask the producers of Hands on a Hardbody or Lysistrata Jones.

[finebydesign]

Also if I recall, Wicked was just in time thematically with the likes of Harry Potter, Twighlights and now the fairytale/Oz trends. It really came at the right time and hits the right right notes.

Marketing has been great as well. The title "Wicked" is also great.

[Mister Matt]

Harry Potter was well in its stride in book 5 by the time Wicked opened, but Twilight would not be published for another 2 years. The title of the novel was already strong, so there was simply no need to change it.

[chinto1984]

In Schwartz's book, I think he mentioned he envisioned Audra as Elphaba.

[Kevinoes]

Idina replaced Stephanie as Elphaba during workshops because Idina had Broadway credits. Stephanie had done regional theatre. Simple and as political as that. This is widely known. Even if Idina wasn't as much the name she is now, she had Rent and Aida (I'd even say Off-Broadway's Wild Party) to her credit. The irony is that Stephanie did the try-out and did not follow the show to Broadway because she had booked a principal in another Broadway show. And the rest is history.

Kristin's injury occurred in SF. She wore a bedazzled neck brace through the last week at the very least of run. Joe Mantello came out at the top of the show to assure the audience that she wasn't in any pain. She threw in a cute bit about not hurting your neck during the hair toss bit in "Popular". During the Broadway run she had to put it back on periodically and she did the bit again.

Another interesting edge to the show's premiere... It was spring 2003. America had just invaded Iraq... the Wizard "giving people a really good enemy" and Glinda's line about a "regime change" used stop the show. A bit preachy, but hell, they used it in the marketing to show a cultural parallel.

In regards to pre-recorded "It's me" for Idina... No. They did not. They maybe boosted the volume and reverb to give her wavering vocal some push, but it was never pre-recorded.

Idina (at least at the time) was the highest paid West End performer when she did the show in London. Something like 30 000 pounds per week. I think it's been topped now.

If Idina and Kristin miraculously did do some reunion tribute (and I have heard an interview saying Kristin would), a simple performance of the two doing "For Good" would be pretty potent and poignant. I don't think I've even seem them photographed together since Kristin left the show in July 2004.

[BroadwayFan12]

Can't find it at the moment, but there's a photo of them together at the 2010 Tonys. I saw Wicked a couple weeks after it opened, and whatever tension was going on behind the scenes didn't show onstage at all.

[goldenboy]

I saw Wicked twice and I am a fan. ( a male in his late 40's)

The first time I saw it, I thought Glinda stole the evening. Glinda was played by Meghan Hilty and I became a big fan after seeing her in the role. I think the Glinds was Eden Espinosa but it was Meghans show.

Then I saw it again on tour. It was Stephanie Block as Elphaba and someone else as Glinda. It was Stephanie Block's Show. She stole the evening.

It was the most uncanny thing how the actor changed the focus of the evening. The same thing happenned with the Producers

With Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick it was Nathan Lane as Bialystock who was definitely the protagonist.

Then i saw it again in Los Angeles with Jason Alexander and martin Short. It was Martin Short's evening and for the first time I felt the Bloom was the protagnoist.

Uncanny how an actor changes one's perspective.