Wicked

[Christinko]

The show "Wicked" brings on sympathy for the Devil. And the devil (the wicked witch of the west) is truly misunderstood due to a PR ploy by the government. The script works--a rare gift.

You'll enjoy excellence and balance in costuming, characterizations, lighting, songs, poignancy, and humor.

The only startling part is that, though the show gives you lots to think about, after you leave you don't think about it overmuch, but you are still humming the tunes (I bought the CD).

I liked the relationship between two female friends--SO NICE to see that kind of bonding treated so well. Not quite Thelma & Louise--they don't die, but gals with girlfriends everywhere will relate and be grateful.

[Ardbeg... innit]

Chris

From what I understand the play is REALLY toned down from the book. I have read the book about 4 times simply because it is SO SUBVERSIVE. I have adopted its storyline as the 'truth', and the storyline we all know in the movie as pure political propaganda (its exactly what the Wizard would WANT you to believe).

Give the book a try!

[Christinko]

I'm off to procure said book this week! Thanks!

[New Mama]

I also read the book earlier this year. It's not what you'd expect it to be. Much more food for thought than usual.

[Chicago Jake]

Thelma and Louise DIE? Damn! I haven't seen it yet. That's what spoiler tags are for!!......Jake (just kidding)

[Ardbeg... innit]

christinko said:

I'm off to procure said book this week! Thanks!

BTW- the author has come out with a sequel to Wicked, just in case you want to know what happened in Oz AFTER the wicked witch (freedom fighter) died.

[Chicago Jake]

Aren't there a whole bunch of books in this series? I seem to remember a large display at Barnes and Noble.....Jake

[Ardbeg... innit]

The author (Gergory Maguire) has taken on quite a few of our basic 'fairy tales' and placed them in a more adult context (Snow White, Cinderella, etc), none of which lived up to (IMO) Wicked, which was his first novel.. but in short, no not a series based on Oz.

[vbplyr]

I absolutely loved this play. I went to see it without high hopes, not being a "Wizard" fan, and not seeing the movie since I was a kid. I too, have adopted this as what really happened. And yes, the soundtrack is addictive.

[Christinko]

Does anyone know how he got the rights from the Baum family to use the characters? I thought they didn't sell the rights. Or is there some legal wrangling that makes it different enough from the Oz series that copyright infringement wasn't a question?

I ask this because a long time ago in a galaxy far far away, I wrote a short-story sequel to Oz about Toto and his trip to Kansas City because he missed the action-packed adventure of Oz so much. But I figured it was never publishable because I lifted the characters.

[Ardbeg... innit]

Chris, the copyright MUST have expired or the do sell rights, remember "The Wiz" ?

[justheidi]

...all i know is Ted Turner holds the rights to the original film................................

[Irish]

I don't usually buy books, I use the library. Some books, once read and returned, deserve a purchase -- are 'keepers'. "Wicked" was one. Oh My Goodness, how we are led around by how a story is told! On reading "Wicked" -- epiphany!! I finally realized (even though it was apparent in the original movie) is that (1) Dorothy STOLE the shoes -- they rightfully belonged to her sister; (2) they illegally and immorally snuck into the "witch's" home with the intent to kill her, which they did. Premeditated murder. Dorothy ain't as sweet as one would think!!

I also loved the play on civil rights in the book. There were Animals who could speak and were respected members of society, and there were animals who were pets, and, well, animals. The new regime decreed that all animals were animals, and those who were professors and whatnot, could no longer be.

I haven't seen the show yet -- I am wary. The book was so good!!!

(I also read the one pubished immediately after (coattails?) not as good. Cinderella? I think?

[Ardbeg... innit]

Irish said:

I don't usually buy books, I use the library. Some books, once read and returned, deserve a purchase -- are 'keepers'. "Wicked" was one. Oh My Goodness, how we are led around by how a story is told! On reading "Wicked" -- epiphany!! I finally realized (even though it was apparent in the original movie) is that (1) Dorothy STOLE the shoes -- they rightfully belonged to her sister; (2) they illegally and immorally snuck into the "witch's" home with the intent to kill her, which they did. Premeditated murder. Dorothy ain't as sweet as one would think!!

I also loved the play on civil rights in the book. There were Animals who could speak and were respected members of society, and there were animals who were pets, and, well, animals. The new regime decreed that all animals were animals, and those who were professors and whatnot, could no longer be.

I haven't seen the show yet -- I am wary. The book was so good!!!

(I also read the one pubished immediately after (coattails?) not as good. Cinderella? I think?

I think you missed an important part of the book. In the book Dorothy MOST DEFINATELY didnt 'steal' the shoes and DEFINATELY did not 'sneak in' to commit murder. I wont go any further because doing so would involve spoilers.