Wicked (NYC)

See it if You love the Wizard of Oz and you like to see themes turned on their head. I very much enjoyed it but ...

Don't see it if I'm not sure why I was disappointed in this play. Had a great cast, it just didn't really reach me.

See it if you enjoy a good story that is easy to follow

Don't see it if you don't enjoy flying monkeys

See it if You like underdog stories, big musicals, and/or classic fantasy tales retold from a villain’s perspective or a female perspective

Don't see it if you’re a Wizard of Oz purist; stories about sisterhood don’t interest you; you like your fairy tale revisionism to be edgy, gritty, or sexy

Also A jubilant, easy to love, unapologetically commercial hit. Catchy songs you’ll want to sing yourself. Unless you’re a determined misanthrope it’s impossible not to sympathize w/ the heroine.

Some issues do keep the show from being perfect (choreography is pretty lame, predictable story); but overall, Wicked is so satisfying because it refuses to dismiss certain core realities of womanhood: societal rejection of female ugliness, good deeds by those with innate power don’t outweigh bad intentions of those with institutional power, how easy it is to demonize a nonconforming woman, and how risky it is to love one.

No, it’s not a “deep” show. Yes, it’s all very emotionally manipulative. Neither of these detract from Elphaba’s appeal. That I’ll remember some of the songs for the rest of my life is what pushes the score up to 90.... Read more Read less

See it if you are a tween to twenty year old girl or her parent, it resonates with them

Don't see it if are an adult male that doesn't enjoy sweet sappy musicals

See it if Love well produced musicals. Beautiful staging, acting etc. A delightful theatre experience.

Don't see it if If you do not like musicals.

See it if Prequel to The Wizard of Oz, the staging and costumes were dazzling, the plot ambitious and confusing. Some epic songs, the rest mediocre.

Don't see it if You don't have the patience to follow a convoluted plot over 3 1/2 hours; you don't like every song at the same loud, belting intensity.

See it if you're a human person. It has something for everyone; great story, songs, staging, humor, heart - a home run.

Don't see it if you hate musicals. I can't think of any good reason.

See it if huge, grandiose, epic, old-school musicals (Les Miz, Phantom, Cats) are your thing. It's MAGnanimous & visually dazzling, w/a great message.

Don't see it if for you, less is more. There is no "less" here. AT ALL. Even so, I was underwhelmed. There's a reason "Avenue Q" won the 2004 Tony Award.

See it if want to see a very clever prequel to the Wizard of Oz. It's got great music, great story, and spectacle!

Don't see it if you don't like the Wizard of Oz, or musicals.

See it if you want a clever backstory to the witches from wizard of oz....interesting....well staged....if you are a theater person you should see it

Don't see it if you don't like belting out songs....most of the show is belting....lots of high notes long and loud..

See it if you want to know why the wicked witch from the west went where she is now on broadway!

Don't see it if you don't like musicals .

See it if you enjoy clever reimaginings of iconic childhood stories, portrayed masterfully and comically, as well as poignantly, by a talented cast.

Don't see it if you don't have an open-mind to consider Oz figures a la L. Frank Baum in a new light; aren't a child at heart; dislike fantastic spectacle.

Also While hearing the name "Wicked" may conjure images of popular NYC tourist fare and all the spectacle family-geared musicals often offer, the show is a much more intelligent take and spin upon L. Frank Baum's original The Wonderful Wizard of Oz series, with clever allusions and references to beloved figures. This show operates on many levels. For the younger theatregoer, there is the delightful magic of fantastic creatures, animals, and thrilling big-budget stage spectacle. But older teens and adults will pick up on the darker side of Oz, of more than just the romantic entanglements and basic good-vs.-evil plots. This is not just an origin story of the characters but, rather, a cautionary tale of how good can become evil with the "help" of misguided, selfish, and ignorant people. If Wicked has morals in it (and it does), that is not all it has. It is a very charming, well-acted and performed piece of Broadway and is well-worth seeing more than once: it defies gravity and expectations.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see one of the shows that defines musical theater in the 21st century

Don't see it if you are not a fan of the Wizard of Oz

See it if You like musicals with all of the bells and whistles. Story and costuming were great. I can't believe I waited so long to it.

Don't see it if You do not enjoy musicals, or if you have no interest in the knowing the background of The Wizard of Oz.

See it if Hasn't everyone seen it at this point? It's fine, but it's not great.

Don't see it if You are tired of upside down kids shows.

See it if you're a fan of the movie, if you like lavish, bigger-than-life musicals, or if you have young girls to take.

Don't see it if you're looking for something with depth or if you know nothing about the movie.

See it if all your friends have gone and they've liked it. I imagine Idina Menzel must have been amazing in it.

Don't see it if you prefer not to watch non-stop bullying.

See it if you are a Wizard of Oz fan and want to see the story completely flipped or if you like musicals with powerful scores

Don't see it if you aren't willing to pay for a full price Broadway ticket or don't care for the story

See it if You want to see the best show ever!

Don't see it if You're a musical theatre snob who disdains mega-musicals.

See it if If you want a different take on the Wizard of Oz and enjoy the show's well known songs

Don't see it if If you think this is like the classic Wizard of Oz or if you are expecting to hear Over the Rainbow.

See it if you want to see a modern classic.

Don't see it if you want something thought provoking.

See it if Revisited show for first time in years.It is still a great production. It was thrilling to hear the terrific lyrics and music. Cast excels!

Don't see it if You are not a fan of a musical that features the characters of the Wizard of Oz.

See it if You want a clever, ambitious and modern take on a story so integrated into American culture that it's become part of the national DNA.

Don't see it if You want memorable songs or lyrics; unlike the terrific visual and conceptual spectacle, most of the score is instantly forgettable.

Also Revisiting the show several times over the years, it's striking not only how well-maintained this production is — apparently there are daily notes and frequent rehearsals to keep it fresh — but also how well-constructed and intelligent a vehicle it is. Visual and verbal puns, quick theatre in-jokes, layers of physical detail all still work; it's a fine-tuned machine like that referred to in the set designs of gears and pulleys.

Though much of the music may still seem a fairly bland wash of similar melodies, the lyrics and book have aged well, revealing unnoticed complexities, but it’s the show’s contribution to the culture and its positive effects — especially to young girls — that is undeniable. A celebration of uniqueness and talent, it shows that it may not be easy being green, but it’s more than ok to be different.

For that, and the amount of employment it provides the community — no stars here, which in a way is as it should be — we wish it a healthy life and an even longer run.... Read more Read less

See it if you love great unabashed Broadway musicals

Don't see it if you can't bear the thought of defying gravity

See it if Be swept away in Wizard backstory and believe in magic.

Don't see it if Looking for Menzel and Chenoweth.