No fly shows in Wicked

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 4:46pm

Has anyone ever seen one? How often do they happen? I'm seeing the show tomorrow and I got a free ticket so I can't really complain but it will be my 3rd time seeing the show. It's not my favorite, I really only went back a second time for Defying Gravity. This time I got a free ticket from someone who works in the show so of course I would say yes. I just don't really want to see a no fly show. It's really the only part I look forward to in the show.

[ARTc3]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 4:51pm

What are you typing about? What is a "no fly" Wicked show?

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 4:56pm

I am assuming when the lift malfunctions during Defying Gravity.

[morosco]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 4:56pm

[ARTc3]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 5:03pm

What an absurd thread. As if anything typed here could determine whether or not the Defying Gravity effect will work during the performance Mike Barrett will attend. Sometimes I just amazed by these threads.

[N2N Nate.]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 5:06pm

I don't think it happens very often but not really sure. There are videos of it happening online if you are curious.

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 5:09pm

I'm not asking if it will happen during the show I attend. I'm basically asking how often do they happen and what happens if it does happen. Does the show stop? I know the show always must go on but sometimes it isn't safe for the actors. And yes I'm talking specifically about Defying Gravity.

Posted: 8/14/13 at 5:10pm

The next No Fly Show is next Wednesday the 21st (matinee). Then, the show on the 30th is No Fly, then all is well until November (but that is four shows the week of the 14).

Hope that helps! No point seeing a show if that one scene is going to be off! (Do you leave at intermission?)

[Younger Brother]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 5:13pm

" Does the show stop? I know the show always must go on but sometimes it isn't safe for the actors."

There's a plan B. Whoever plays Elphaba gets out of the lift and walks downstage. Theres a whole plan b light design aswell.

[justincharacter]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 5:17pm

^Exactly. If they have problems before the show, they decide to do Plan B for the performance.

I remember Julia Murney (I think) discussing when she didn't fly, and the ensemble came out and sung "Look at her she's Wicked, get her!", when she was standing a few feet away from them. Updated On: 8/14/13 at 05:17 PM

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 5:20pm

^^^ That's one of the answers I was looking for. Thank you younger brother. I don't see why people are taking this out of context. Wicked isn't my favorite show. I went back a second time because I wanted to see Mandy Gonzalez as Elphaba. Enjoyed her performance and enjoyed the show, I just didn't need to see it again. But I got the opportunity for free tickets, so of course I wouldn't pass up. I don't hate the show, but I don't love it. I love Defying Gravity so I was just asking if no fly show happens very often. I enjoy For Good and No Good Deed. I wouldn't leave at intermission. Especially if someone gave me free tickets, that would just be rude.

[justincharacter]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 5:24pm

You don't have to explain why you are seeing it again. If you like it, you like it.

Updated On: 8/14/13 at 05:24 PM

[bwayboy22]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 5:26pm

From what I hear during a no fly show the performer really tries to sell the song, and some of the best performance vocally have been during no fly shows.

The only time I heard them stopping the show for that was when Kerry Ellis was falling out of her Harness and she felt like she was going to fall out. She started screaming and the curtain came down. They started the song again from "Im the one you want..." and Kerry sang it without flying.

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 5:30pm

Justin: I was just asking a simple question and people blew it out of context, so I thought I would explain myself. Plus I'm gonna invite someone and it would be their first time as far as I know so I want them to get the full experience.
bwayboy: Well I guess that's cool. It's not that I would be pissed if I saw a no fly show. It might be cool actually. I was just thinking about it today and was wondering if it happened often.

[justincharacter]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 5:42pm

@Mike PM me after you see it. I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on what you think

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 5:47pm

Can you even call what she normally does "flying?" Even still, I'd be pretty POed if she didn't fly. I'd rather they stop the show, fix the problem and get her a$$ in the air.

[justincharacter]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 5:55pm

Only if Shoshana Bean returned as Elphaba... Even though the show is good itself, it would be incredible if Shoshana was in the role again. She was, and still is, the best Elphaba vocal wise (her acting was good too).

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 6:13pm

"Will this show that I'm seeing for free be performed perfectly? If not I'm gonna be ticked off!" You're as bad as the people bitching about the rules imposed during the tapings of THE NANCE.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 6:29pm

And, once again, people who have no idea what the answer is just have to post SOMETHING!

[FishermanBob]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 6:34pm

"I just didn't need to see it again. But I got the opportunity for free tickets, so of course I wouldn't pass up.

That logic makes no sense. Mike, if you've already seen it twice, you're not crazy about the show and you're basically forcing yourself to see it again, believe it or not you don't actually HAVE TO accept the offer of a free ticket. Why do something you don't really want to do just because you wouldn't have to pay for it? Why not ask if you can pass it along to someone who is dying to see it, maybe doesn't get picked at the lottery and might not be able to afford a full price ticket. You would absolutely make his or her year.

[ARTc3]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 7:07pm

I think JoeKv99 understood my point. You rock JoeKv99!

[lightguy06222]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 7:23pm

The DEFYING GRAVITY lift is tested before the show, every show. As is every piece of moving scenery, automation, lighting fixtures, microphones, etc. And every wig gets set. And every prop gets placed. All part of the preshow setup.

Sometimes during a show, sh*t happens. If elphaba doesn't snap herself into the lift correctly, the lift doesn't go up. Her back leans against a toggle, which snaps two arms around her waste, to lock her in. The arms have dress fabric hanging from them, so it blends into her costume. If her weight is not distributed correctly, the lift doesn't go up.

It happens once in a while. Mistakes happen. They dont PLAN no fly shows. But it happens. Not every week. Maybe once a month?

If it doesnt go up, there is a plan B. and the actors and stage management team continue as such.

[ARTc3]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 7:36pm

This is a ridiculous thread. I am sort of embarrassed that I am even following it.

Updated On: 8/14/13 at 07:36 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 7:39pm

^ Who is this new scrooge?

[ARTc3]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 7:39pm

bahhhh humbug