Wicked

 

“🎶 I think I’ll try defying gravity! 🎶”

Magical, emotional and faithful, Wicked defies gravity and any negative expectations to deliver a stirring part one of the musical saga full of stunning musical moments, deeper emotional depth and broader world building which excitingly sets the stage for what is to come! 

Discussion Points: 

I love musicals… but I’ve never loved Wicked. I’ve enjoyed parts of it, and always found the music fantastic, but the stagebook I always found weak and rushed. Whilst Elphaba and Glinda get plenty of focus, side characters feel so underdeveloped you wonder why they are there. So I was thrilled albeit cautiously when I heard they were separating the film adaptation into two-parts: Act One and Act Two. Because I assumed that would give the story more time to breathe and characters to be established. And I’m so glad that’s the case! Wicked Part I is an emotional and magical experience. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande make not only for a perfect pairing, but also fully inhabit these iconic characters with Erivo carrying the heart and Grande the humour. People forget just how funny Wicked is meant to be! And the films crafts are absolutely stunning. Beautiful costumes, incredible sets and impressive visual effects combine to transport the audience into Oz. And the massive ensemble dance choreography is fantastic, but we know Jon M. Chu knows how to shoot a sprawling dance ensemble!  Overall, I’m really glad I loved this because I did have my concerns and doubts. I’m so interested to see Part II because so much of the shows iconic moments come in the first half, so I’m excited to see what they’ve created!