Has anyone done the WICKED Behind the Emerald Curtain experience? Is it fun?

[Shubert Alley Cat]

I am a fan of WICKED and thinking of doing this when in the city next month. Is it worth the time?

[dramamama611]

From what I've HEARD, no it's not. (If you are a BIG fan, it might be worth it, but it's not like a backstage tour. It's more like a lecture.)

[bwayphreak234]

From what I've heard it's just walking through a little Wicked "museum", you watch a short film about the development of Wicked, and listen to some ensemble members talk.

[adamgreer]

Waste of time.

You see some old props (including Idina Menzel's dress), watch a film about the show's development, and have a q&a with Tony Galde and former cast member Sean McCourt. Then you get the chance to purchase merchandise.

Not worth it, in my opinion.

[CapnHook]

I think it's a great gift to an aspiring student who wants to do theatre as a profession.

[CONAries]

I did this and my overall feeling was its a good way to kill a morning, nothing more!
You see a few props, costumes and set designs etc then have a Q&A which can be entertaining depending on the costumes being asked!

If you have a spare morning, GO, you might find it fascinating and if not you'll still see some amazing costume and set up close, but I certainly wouldn't go out of your way to make it there!

[FanofGreen]

I agree with CONAries. I will say that the most intriguing part of the tour for me was getting to see the costumes up close - I certainly gained an appreciation for just how spectacular they are and how much work goes into them. Couture, for sure. I also enjoyed the info given during the "lecture" very much - as I am sure you would if you are a fan. It just depends upon what you might be giving up to go BTEC. I do think it's a fair value.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Do you get to meet that nice janitor who was on Glee?

[Justin D]

I enjoyed it, but Im big into the technical side of things so to see the model and sit in the empty theatre while watching the movie was a nice treat, and luckly the day i went there were some other teckie people there so we asked a bunch of questions in that area.

Of course if your'e going expecting to actually go onstage or meet principals then dont bother, it is what it is and I wish more long running shows would do something similar.

[EponineAmneris]

I enjoyed it very much and if you go in with no preconceived notions of what it is and plan some questions to ask, you will too

[inick122492]

If you love Wicked enough, you probably already know everything they will tell/show you. I love Wicked, I will not hide it but it was not a big deal and not worth the 30-some dollars. Buy yourself a nice lunch with that.

[BroadwayShowTime]

"not worth the 30-some dollars. Buy yourself a nice lunch with that."
Yeah, seriously! Wait.. Doesn't Planet Hollywood still have Idinas Wicked costume on display? I know it did a few years ago, but then again you did say a nice lunch..

[JoeKv99]

Do you get to sniff any costumes?

[fingerlakessinger]

^Oh for the love hahahah

But Broadwayshowtime, I believe that is Shoshana Bean's Act 2 dress, I dont even think the one on display at the Gershwin is the one that Idina wore (even though it says it is)
Idina's original dress (not the SF one, that was a much more simplified version that they altered before Broadway) is pretty different compared to the ones that came after her, idk, the ruffles are more solid and not so wildly twisted and such...kind of hard to explain.

[musicman1985]

I went in May and had a great time. If you enjoy some of the smaller details for a big show such as Wicked, it is a great experience. I was lucky the day I went, Elaine J. McCarthy, who is the projection designer was there and talked about some of the process behind the projections used in Wicked and then was able to talk with her afterwords. As a person on the board of a small community theatre, who also went to college for theatre, I truely appreciated "Through The Emerald Curtain."

[BroadwayShowTime]

fingerlakessinger,
ahh..
thanks for clarifying. I just assumed it was Idinas. I should have looked at the name plate.

[Bettyboy72]

The Times Square visitor center has Idina's RENT costume and its not protected in any way so you can scratch and sniff it. Sure there's a sign that says not to touch, but all the bananas RENT-heads were creaming themselves and touching it and photographing it.

That is until Sherie Rene showed up and took a leak on it.

[Shubert Alley Cat]

Boy, this thread has taken a turn! LOL

Thanks for all the input from everyone.

[BrodyFosse123]

Here you go...

Take a virtual tour for FREE: http://www.emeraldcurtain.com/