"Wicked" musical

This is a discussion thread where those fortunate enough to have seen the "Wicked" musical can tell those of us who have not seen it about it. Not having been so fortunate myself, I'm kind of curious as to what others thought of it. What did you think of it? I heard a rumor that people don't like the musical as well if they've read the book first. Argee or disagree? (That's the usual case with films, I think.) What were some of the differences between the book and the musical?

They were definitely different yet somehow part of a 'whole'. Once you see the show you will understand but its kind of like they both tell different parts of the same story and you need both to fully understand. It seemed like the show was dummed down a bit from the book but it was amazing anyways.

I read the book before I saw the show, and I still loved it. The music is great, it's pretty solid plot-wise, and the sets are phenomenal.

The book is much, much darker than the musical, probably out of necessity. Theater-going audiences don't want to drop $100 on tickets for a story as dark as the original novel.

Other (non-spoilery) differences include -
- The addition of a love triangle between G(a)linda, Elphaba, and Fiyero
- Nessarose's disability changed from no arms to being in a wheelchair
- The big parts of political intrigue (Elphaba making the monkeys fly, the persecution of Animals, etc.) remain, but some of the smaller pieces - Morrible's plans for the girls, Dillamond's murder - are gone.
- Smaller characters, like Tiktok and Galinda's nanny, were cut.

I could go on about this show for days. :-)

I loved the musical and have seen it 6 times in the UK so far... I read the book a couple of years ago and although it is very different, I loved both in their own way. I think of the musical as the Disney version of the story, not least because the music was written by someone who has written music for Disney before :)

Saw the musical last week....and it was awesome! I didn't even mind the changes they made. Like thegoodwitch said, they added the love triangle, but it seemed like a good way to explain the split between Elphie and Glinda. Definitely see it if you have a chance, you won't regret it! I'm already hoping they perform in DC while I'm there this summer, so I can see it again!

I'm going to see it in june! I can't wait!

I also have a secret Cd of the show that a freind of a friend of mine taped at a theater. Its not very good of course and he frequently had to hide the camcorder to avoid being caught but it gives me the gist. I have the sound track with ack I can't remember their names but the ones who have totally MADE the roles of galinda and Elphaba. Its great!

*whispers* I have a burned copy of the soundtrack, which I got from someone whose copy of the soundtrack was burned from the real thing.

teehee! aren' we "wicked"

And who can complain here? :)

oops earlier I said cd i meant DVD I'm still trying to remember the actresses names one was kristen---- I suppose I must go over to my wicked site and find out!