Wicked on Broadway worth it after seeing tour?

[lordofanime]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 4:58am

Hi all, 

With the whole kurfufle involving DEH and Platt happening, my friend and I now have 1 day open during our trip to NYC. We're having a hard time deciding which musical to go see. Dolly is out of the question, and GHD is closing before we get there... 

We're now left with 2 options. Come from Away and Wicked. We've seen Wicked in Denver a couple of years ago (summer 2015), but I've heard that its a different experience in the original theater on Broadway. And I've also been listening to the soundtrack a lot, more than any other show... I'm thinking it might be better to see a new show, but I can't justify paying for a mezzanine seat in the back of the theater  for CFA when it costs the same or more than a Wicked Orchestra ticket. 

Is there a difference between the summer 2015 tour and the broadway production of Wicked? In terms of the orchestra (I LOVE the orchestration of the songs in this musical), is the broadway orchestra better or larger? Costumes? Props? Sets and stage?

 

Appreciate all the advice I can get, please and thank you. :)

[lordofanime]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 5:13am

I just saw this image.... Is this really what it's like in person?! 

 

[Visceral_Fella]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 9:08am

It's quite beautiful at The Gershwin. The set is built a few rows into the audience, there are more lights built into the set, there's a few additional pieces of scenery. Visually it's more beautiful but not a significant difference. I think the difference is something that a frequent Wicked visitor who hasn't seen the show on Broadway would enjoy.

The current Elphaba is turning out amazing performances, and if you saw the show in 2015 then she is not who you saw on tour. Not sure about the Glinda. The current Madame Morrible is quite good as well.

I didn't particularly love Come From Away. I'm glad I saw it, and I appreciate the story and the staging, but I wouldn't see it again even for free. I enjoyed it don't get me wrong, but it's not the show for me. 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 10:30am

That picture is not Wicked at the Gershwin; this is:



It's a monstrous, iconic production. In terms of the show's content, you'll be seeing the very same thing as you saw on the tour, but there are a few small technical differences between the tour and the Broadway production. Broadway's current Elphaba, Jackie Burns, is beyond incredible.

Generally speaking, I highly recommend the wonderful Come From Away, though Wicked at the Gershwin is a requisite Broadway experience. It'll be in that theatre for a very long time, though, so it just depends on whether you want to catch it now or next time!

[lordofanime]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 10:45am

Visceral_Fella said: "
The current Elphaba is turning out amazing performances, and if you saw the show in 2015 then she is not who you saw on tour. Not sure about the Glinda. The current Madame Morrible is quite good as well."

Yeah the Elphaba we saw that night on the tour was the standby and I can safely say that she did not turn out a great performance, completely dropped the ball when it came to belting out.. Who is the current Elphaba? Burns? Do you know how long she'll be in the role? 

I'm quite saddened that there aren't more musicals to see. I've heard nothing but bad things about Aladdin... and my friend def does not want to go see Phantom. Charlie was an option, but didn't hear good things about it either.. 

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 10:50am

I saw Wicked Broadway with the original cast and  twice in Denver. The tour was really good and glad I saw it. The third time I saw it was to take a friemd. Otherwise I may not have gone. (Plus I had a press invite). 

If it is the differences in the production you want to see then go for it. I figure COME FROM AWAY will tour and I doubt there will be many changes to the set e cept the ise of fake trees. (Aren't some or all of them real on Broadway?). However, the cast on Broadway is really good and even for the same price for an orchestra seat at WICKED, you will probably still have a good view as Broadway theaters are much smaller than the Buell. JMO

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 10:52am

1.there are always a lot of closings near labor and the again the first of the year - so you are coming during a dry spell 

2. For someone that doesn't get to see Broadway frequently,  I'd say go with something brand new to you, so, therefore Come From Away if you can get tix.

3. Not sure why you aren't interested in still seeing DEH...did you have tix? No reason to throw the baby out with the bathwater. 

[lordofanime]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 10:54am

BroadwayConcierge said: "That picture is not Wickedatthe Gershwin; this is:


It's a monstrous, iconic production. In terms of the show's content, you'll be seeing the very same thing as you saw on the tour, but there are a few small technical differences between the tour and the Broadway production. Broadway's current Elphaba, Jackie Burns, is beyond incredible.

Generally speaking, Ihighly recommend the wonderfulCome From Away, thoughWickedat the Gershwin is a requisite Broadway experience. It'll be in that theatre for a very long time, though, so it just depends on whether you want to catch it now or next time! "

 

Hmm... That's the thing.. Wicked is an iconic musical, and yes I'll be watching the same thing again, but I'm thinking it might be a different experience given how much I know the album now.. When I watched it in Denver, I had only listened to "What is this feeling" and "Defying Gravity" in the album, now I've been listening to many of the other songs (and this still remains to be my fav broadway album) so it would be nice to see them performed live.. Also, I really hated how some of the songs were performed and orchestrated in the Denver area.. 

My main issue with Come from Away is Value VS Cost... I mean, I'll be spending more for a mezz ticket than an Orch Center seat for Wicked.. And wicked is sort of like an Epic production compared to Come From Away, which I have been told only takes place in a few sets.

 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 10:58am

It's one set with moving chairs.  If spectacle is important to you, then dont see CFA.  Its a lovely, sentimental piece...no bells or whistles. 

 

It sounds like you really WANT to see Wicked, but are seeking approval. The only person that matters is you.

[lordofanime]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 10:58am

dramamama611 said: "1.there are always a lot of closings near labor and the again the first of theyear - so you are coming during a dry spell

2. For someone that doesn't get to see Broadway frequently, I'd say go with something brand newto you, so, therefore Come From Away if you can get tix.

3. Not sure why you aren't interested in still seeing DEH...did you have tix? No reason to throw the baby out with the bathwater."

 

1. Yeah.. The sad part of traveling in October VS July.. You miss a lot of good shows.

2. But see, that's the exact opposite for me.. If Come From Away is touring, I can just go see it whenever it's on tour. But I don't go to NYC often, so that's why I kind of prefer going to a big production as opposed to a small one.

3. I did some extensive research on DEH's plot, and I kind of hated the story... I was only going to see the show for Ben Platt's Performance and when they announced that he wouldn't be performing, I lost interest in seeing the show. I can just read the script that was released. 

[lordofanime]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 11:00am

dramamama611 said: "
It sounds like you really WANT to see Wicked, but are seeking approval. The only person that matters is you."

I'm starting to come around to that conclusion. Haha! 

Any seat recommendations for the Gershwin? 

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 11:09am

Your friend doesn't want to see Phantom?  Sounds like you need new friends.   I kid, I kid. (sort of)  Of all shows that need to be seen on Broadway above the tour, Phantom is it. But I know it's  hard sell for people who read this board. 

That said, if you are as big a fan of Wicked as you say, then you really should see it on Broadway, especially if you are familiar with the production. Seeing the version that can be stuffed into the back of the truck just does not compare. 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 11:38am

lordofanime said: "Visceral_Fella said: "
The current Elphaba is turning out amazing performances, and if you saw the show in 2015 then she is not who you saw on tour. Not sure about the Glinda. The current Madame Morrible is quite good as well."

Yeah the Elphaba we saw that night on the tour was the standby and I can safely say that she did not turn out a great performance, completely dropped the ball when it came to belting out.. Who is the current Elphaba? Burns? Do you know how long she'll be in the role?

I'm quite saddened that there aren't more musicals to see. I've heard nothing but bad things about Aladdin... and my friend def does not want to go see Phantom. Charlie was an option, but didn't hear good things about it either.."

It does sound like you want to see Wicked so you should definitely see that. But I need to correct one thing - there are a lot of musicals to see. I'm coming in November and am seeing 6 shows (DEH, Sweeney Todd, Hello Dolly, The Band's Visit, CFA, and Waitress) in 5 days. I also had an alternate list of shows (M. Butterfly, Torch Song, War Paint) (Hamilton, Book of Mormon, Kinky Boots - all would be enjoyable Broadway revisits for me) (Wicked - like you I saw it (2x) on tour, but I was lucky to see it with great cast) in  case those hadn't panned out, but I already bought tickets for all six shows so I'm set. And, for the record, I really enjoyed Aladdin. Most of the shows that closed before your trip probably wouldn't have been to your liking anyway - if you like musicals with lots of spectacle then Wicked is the one for you. Enjoy!

Not to persuade you since Wicked sounds like the best choice for you, but I would encourage you to listen to the cast recording from DEH and watch some of the YouTube clips. It might make you more engaged with the show rather than just reading about it. You Will Be Found, Words Fail, and Waving Through a Window are phenomenal songs. if you enjoy those, maybe you can at least see it on tour. 

[johannabarker]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 12:48pm

Yeah I agree everyone needs to see Phantom (original Hal Prince staging, not the terrible tour) but hold off on seeing it until the cast has significantly changed.

 

[LesWickedly]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 12:52pm

I strongly suggest you see Dear Evan Hansen, Ben or no Ben. It's still a great show and like Miles said, listen to the recording (even though I didn't before seeing it and glad I waited), if you need persuasion. I understand the disappointment of not seeing Ben, but you'll still be seeing the show that won Best Musical this year with a great cast. 

[Rainah]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 1:02pm

It sounds like you want to see Wicked, and from what you've said of your tastes you'll prefer it to CFA and DEH (Which are both simple shows with little spectacle)

I saw it on tour too, but my first trip to broadway I said I gotta see it too! And I definitely didn't regret it. For seats I would recommend closer if possible - I sat row O and it was just on the edge of feeling too far away. THe Gershwin's a big theatre 

[adam.peterson44]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 1:25pm

The Gershwin set is more built-out into the audience (the lights, scaffolding along the sides) than the touring sets, which makes for a more spectacular experience during dancing through life and one short day.  And Jackie Burns is amazing as Elphaba (i saw her on tour and also in her previous broadway appearance in the role).  I'd definitely recommend having that experience if you are a fan of the show. 

I also recommend seeing Come From Away at some point, but the set is so simple that it won't lose anything on tour.  Jenn Colella is amazing in her role, but she only has one solo song, so catching Jackie Burns as Elphaba seems like it would have more payoff.  I saw CFA both in Toronto and on Broadway and i couldn't detect any difference at all between the sets (but then again it was the pre-broadway tryout and maybe there will be a different set built for touring).  But i don't think your experience would necessarily be that different if you waited to see it on tour (or waited until its broadway tickets are cheaper on a future nyc trip). 

I also loved Aladdin - great dancing, music, performances, and a fabulous tap dance piece, which i adored. 

[Public User]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 3:10pm

"is it worth it?"  the tourist's sad lament recently overheard at the Palace of Versailles 

Updated On: 9/3/17 at 03:10 PM

[broadwaysfguy]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 3:25pm

always always always see original broadway and broadway casts when you can

dear evan hanson and come from away are spectacular

also if you like wicked you may also like anastasia- a great show

that being said the current elphaba is amazing and if you choose wicked at gershwin you will have a great show  sit as close as possible center orch or inside aisle on side orch-its worth it to be close and experience the actors doin their thing

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 3:43pm

"Come From Away" really is an absolute must see. For those  who say you can see the show on tour, the theatre it is playing in is at least half the size of most touring venues. The show is small and really needs a small house to work. Wicked on the other hand is playing in a barn like theatre which isn't much different than most of the awful touring theatres.
Having said that, I wouldn't eliminate "Dear Evan Hanson" just because Ben Platt isn't going to be in it. The show is just as good without him

As for "Wicked" - Why in the world would you see it again when you have two amazing shows as options that you have not seen?

Updated On: 9/3/17 at 03:43 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 5:59pm

South Fl Marc I agree regarding COME FROM AWAY. Hopefully when it tours it will play the Ellie instead of the Buell in Denver.

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 9/4/17 at 10:37am

I don't know how the new tour is holding up (I only saw the 1NT) but I saw it on Broadway recently and was very disappointed. If it's your first time seeing the show (like the 3 people I brought) you'll have a great time, but I worry if you know the show and go in expecting that show, you might be let down. 

It was over-acted, sound was awful, some performers had clearly been in the role too long, etc. There were also some slight changes in choreography & staging from the last time I saw it. 

Thank God for TodayTix though.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 9/4/17 at 10:55am

You are very much getting the same show. There are a few technical differences here and there, but the tour still counts as a replica staging.

If you had only seen the current tour of Phantom and you were asking this question about that show, I would advise you to see it in New York. Thst is a completely different experience. With Wicked, I'd advise you to see something you haven't seen before, unless Wicked is your favorite show ever.