Will Wicked Make It to the Big Screen?
Filed under: Music & Musicals, Universal, RumorMonger, DIY/Filmmaking
If you're a resident of New York City, there's a good chance you take in a healthy assortment of Broadway and Off-Broadway shows each year. In the past few years, I cannot remember a more enjoyable experience (okay, Avenue Q was pretty rad) than when I saw Wicked. First off, the show is in The Gershwin Theater which, if you've never been, is the Madison Square Garden of Broadway theaters. Yes, the place is freaking gigantic. I love it.
Besides its massive home, Wicked is, quite simply, a fantastic show. For those of you who aren't aware of Wicked (seriously, where have you been?), its story revolves around the witches from The Wizard of Oz and what happened to them before, during and after that whole Oz adventure. The thing I enjoyed most about the show was its story and the many layers presented throughout. For a Broadway musical, I was very impressed to discover some solid substance behind all the singing and dancing.
So, like with the latest film version of The Producers, Chicago, Rent and the upcoming Hairspray, will Wicked ever find its way to the big screen? Playbill.com presented the question to composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz who, in turn, had absolutely no idea. He felt that, eventually, Universal (who produces Wicked) will get around to discussing a film version, but so far folks behind the scenes are too busy expanding the production to locations outside the United States. If you want my opinion, it's only a matter of time before this sucker shows up on screen and, yes, I will be first on line for a ticket. But don't tell that to any of my guy friends.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-07-2006 @ 9:11AM
Mike said...
I agree 100%. My wife and I live in South Jersey and try to get to the city to catch a show at least twice a year. We have seen many broadway shows and the only one I would actually pay to see a 2nd time is Wicked. I would love for it come to the big screen. I would even be more then satisfied to a taping of a live performance to enjoy many times again in my own home. I will be right behind you in line for Wicked's Theatrical debut.
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8-02-2006 @ 8:53PM
Bob Bliss said...
I live just outside Detroit Michigan. I've lived in and around Detroit all my life. I grew up on Motown, and later progressed into hard rock and heavy metal. I've never been to a play in my life. A good friend bought my daughter the book Wicked for her 16th birthday. She never read it. For her high school graduation, he took my daughter and myself to see the play. We were, to say the least, blown away! Wicked opened my eyes to a whole other form of art that I'd only heard of, and quite frankly, never had any thoughts of taking part of. Because of Wicked, I'd go see anouther play anytime (and I have read the book now). If any play should EVER be made into a movie, it should be a WICKED movie. My only fear is that a 2-2 1/2 hour movie may not be enough time to tell a story that has so much more than even a play (as great as it was) was able to convay. The play was great, the book was just as great. Heres hoping someone makes a movie worthy of being called WICKED
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8-02-2006 @ 9:10PM
Erin said...
I saw Wicked in Chicago. It was one of the best experienced I have EVER had. However, much would be lost in the translation to the big screen. The live quality and talent that shines through would be lost. Some things are best left alone. I think a bigger promotional push should take place so everyone could experience this wonderful play. More people might learn to appreciate theater if they saw Wicked as their first experience.
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