1,046 posts
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Post by jgblunners on Aug 27, 2016 13:27:54 GMT
I wonder what it is about Wicked that attracts all the over-the-top fans. You don't get it (or at least it's less obvious if it does happen) with the other big musicals like Les Mis and Phantom, so why does it happen with Wicked? I love Wicked, it is going to be my 14th time seeing it on September 5th. It came from Broadway with the craziness, and Broadway audiences tend to be quite hysterical regularly. The hype carried on here and just seemed to continue. Even though it's fanbase has calmed down a little bit since the Kerry/Rachel years, it still gets its fans regularly going crazy. You just have to listen to audio from random performances, audiences go crazy most nights at that place. 
I don't know what it is that does it, but something happens in the show that causes a lot of people to love it. For me, it seems to occur after The Wizard and I that the audiences start going into the hysterical territory.
Don't get me wrong, I love Wicked too! It's interesting what you say about the hype from Broadway audiences - that probably had something to do with it. And you're absolutely right, it's always Elphaba's big numbers that seem to have the greatest effect on the audience. Popular, too, but it's those big belting moments that really do it. Stephen Schwartz clearly found a way to write music that people really connect with. |
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Post by isabel on Aug 27, 2016 13:32:51 GMT
Time will tell what happens next weekend .....
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2016 13:34:46 GMT
I love Wicked, it is going to be my 14th time seeing it on September 5th. It came from Broadway with the craziness, and Broadway audiences tend to be quite hysterical regularly. The hype carried on here and just seemed to continue. Even though it's fanbase has calmed down a little bit since the Kerry/Rachel years, it still gets its fans regularly going crazy. You just have to listen to audio from random performances, audiences go crazy most nights at that place.
I don't know what it is that does it, but something happens in the show that causes a lot of people to love it. For me, it seems to occur after The Wizard and I that the audiences start going into the hysterical territory.
Don't get me wrong, I love Wicked too! It's interesting what you say about the hype from Broadway audiences - that probably had something to do with it. And you're absolutely right, it's always Elphaba's big numbers that seem to have the greatest effect on the audience. Popular, too, but it's those big belting moments that really do it. Stephen Schwartz clearly found a way to write music that people really connect with. I also think that, in this specific instance, it has something to do with Rachel. She has an incredible voice and just is Elphaba for me. But she must have this effect on a lot of people! To have people dayseat for a week for her final performance, its crazy! She probably doesn't understand the hype surrounding her, but she very clearly has something that some of the other Elphaba's don't have. Of course, all of them are talented and have their own fans etc, but Rachel's are on a completely different level. Along with Ms. Ellis too, I heard her final performance first time round was insanity. I mean, that final flight to the end, craziness! 
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Post by isabel on Aug 27, 2016 15:23:58 GMT
I do think the hype about Wicked has died right down - never seen so many tickets available a week before cast change. For example Rachel's by now was sold out
I think this 'new' cast will generate more interest and excitement - hopefully ! As i'm pinning my hopes on Rachel and Suzie being amazing together & getting me back into Wicked a bit
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125 posts
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Post by CBP1 on Aug 27, 2016 15:29:05 GMT
I don't know if some of the screaming was very localised to particular parts of the auditorium but I don't remember people screaming over the songs during Rachel's final show. That would have really annoyed me and I remember being pleasantly surprised by how people were pretty restrained, particularly as I was in the front row and was fully expecting some loud fangirling. Luckily my side of the front row was very well-behaved. No outward sobbing from anyone!
She got sustained entrance applause and the same at the end of each big song, but I don't think there was much during the songs themselves - With the exception of Defying Gravity where there was a cheer when she stood up with the cloak on (but there's no singing at that stage so it seemed to be a pretty natural place to applaud). And then a standing ovation right at the end of the song, just before the lights went out. Again, that one seemed pretty natural since she wouldn't see the standing if it happened after the song finished.
In general I've found Broadway audiences worse for this (and not in particularly special performances, or limited to Wicked). They seem more than happy to vocally show their appreciation during the show. Really annoying, especially in emotional shows like The Color Purple.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2016 15:39:48 GMT
I absolutely love this show, but some of the superfans really annoy the crap out of me
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2016 16:39:22 GMT
Don't know if this is new or not, but if you are at the show or near the theatre, there is now a Wicked Snapchat filter!  |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2016 18:49:41 GMT
Wow, watching that audio of Kerry's last show has made me dislike the super fans even more. I don't get them. They go like every month and everytime they are in London they go, like I'll see a show around 3 times max if I really like it but then it will just get boring and I wanna try new things? Don't they want to try new shows and then maybe they'll find other things they like? Wicked definitely benefits from these fans though
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4,361 posts
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Post by shady23 on Aug 27, 2016 18:52:43 GMT
Rachel's last two London shows were just incredible. The matinee in particular was just so special. The little moment before she went behind the curtain, the kiss at the end of DG, the waddling off with Fiyero at the end clutching her baby bump... I am not sure that day can ever be topped. Roll on September the 5th!
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4,361 posts
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Post by shady23 on Aug 27, 2016 18:53:46 GMT
Wow, watching that audio of Kerry's last show has made me dislike the super fans even more. I don't get them. They go like every month and everytime they are in London they go, like I'll see a show around 3 times max if I really like it but then it will just get boring and I wanna try new things? Don't they want to try new shows and then maybe they'll find other things they like? Wicked definitely benefits from these fans though Every month? You mean at least three times a week, maybe more. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2016 18:56:27 GMT
Wow, watching that audio of Kerry's last show has made me dislike the super fans even more. I don't get them. They go like every month and everytime they are in London they go, like I'll see a show around 3 times max if I really like it but then it will just get boring and I wanna try new things? Don't they want to try new shows and then maybe they'll find other things they like? Wicked definitely benefits from these fans though You! Dislike superfans?! You are like the chairman of the Superfans. ... hell just froze over. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2016 21:55:09 GMT
The superfans of the current cast are incredibly annoying, I know several of them personally and I am sad to say the majority are just really unpleasant people to deal with (this being outside the context of Wicked), within the context of Wicked they enter cringe-worthy levels of being over emotional, sobbing at every little thing like the last time Emma will perform with Carina, the last time Savannah and Emma perform with the u/s Boq, it's absurd and totally unnecessary. If you're sad about it that's fine, but quite literally sobbing about it and putting up fifty tweets tagging the cast in each one is just annoying and quite frankly, disrespectful to the cast who don't want their Twitter feeds filled up with such meaningless rubbish. Sorry, the earlier posts about superfans started me off, rant over!  |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2016 22:33:43 GMT
Get ready for stage door madness on Sept 5.
I might try to get a pic with Rachel. I don't usually do that, actually the only actor I have a pic with is Nic Rouleau (I'm so in love with him lol), but I don't know, I love her so much and I feel it's my only chance.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2016 23:06:50 GMT
The superfans of the current cast are incredibly annoying, I know several of them personally and I am sad to say the majority are just really unpleasant people to deal with (this being outside the context of Wicked), within the context of Wicked they enter cringe-worthy levels of being over emotional, sobbing at every little thing like the last time Emma will perform with Carina, the last time Savannah and Emma perform with the u/s Boq, it's absurd and totally unnecessary. If you're sad about it that's fine, but quite literally sobbing about it and putting up fifty tweets tagging the cast in each one is just annoying and quite frankly, disrespectful to the cast who don't want their Twitter feeds filled up with such meaningless rubbish. Sorry, the earlier posts about superfans started me off, rant over! As one of the superfans that Aidan knows, I can confirm that I am incredibly annoying  He does make a good point though, as a fan I've kinda drifted over the last few months, the fanbase being one of many contributing factors. I did very much fall in love again after seeing Jodie Steele completely ace Elphaba in Bradford, surrounded by a great supporting cast, but then three days later they all upped sticks and went off to Asia I feel as though the London production needs a refresh though, the cast change next week hopefully providing that. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2016 10:52:47 GMT
Wow, watching that audio of Kerry's last show has made me dislike the super fans even more. I don't get them. They go like every month and everytime they are in London they go, like I'll see a show around 3 times max if I really like it but then it will just get boring and I wanna try new things? Don't they want to try new shows and then maybe they'll find other things they like? Wicked definitely benefits from these fans though You! Dislike superfans?! You are like the chairman of the Superfans. ... hell just froze over. I'm nowhere near that bad. The wicked super fans go to that show like every week if they can and tweet about it as much as possible.... I've been to Funny Girl once and it doesn't look like I'll be going again. I try to see as much new and different shows as possible but they just see Wicked and that's like it! |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2016 11:02:07 GMT
Mmmhmm.
Well in fairness, if we are defining a Superfan as going 10 times or more, I fall into that catagory. And on two occasions, I have been twice in one week to the show. But I wouldn't go to the point of doing it every week haha.
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Post by welsh_tenor on Aug 28, 2016 13:20:10 GMT
Mmmhmm. Well in fairness, if we are defining a Superfan as going 10 times or more, I fall into that catagory. And on two occasions, I have been twice in one week to the show. But I wouldn't go to the point of doing it every week haha. I did the last three shows in Bradford, thinking that if I was travelling up from Cardiff I might as well make the most of it! I know some of the fan accounts have done all 8 shows in the same week which I just can't get my head around.... |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2016 13:23:03 GMT
I have a couple of friends who have done it 7-8 times in a week too.
Though its not just this show, one of my friends did the cast of Kinky Boots final week 4 times!
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Post by isabel on Aug 28, 2016 13:42:14 GMT
Only time i've done 2 show days is cast change. Although this year i'm only doing the evening show
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Post by singularsensation10 on Aug 28, 2016 16:51:08 GMT
Nothing can ever be as bad as Rachel's final show in 2012, fans screaming throughout the songs, front row were hysterically crying really loudly, wanted to slap them ,hahaha Seriously though Wicked does seem to attract OTT cast change shows I'm front Stalls for 3rd Sept evening, and 5th Sept evening. And i'm hoping it won't be drowned out be screaming fans If you don't want screaming fans, don't go on 3rd or 5th Sep.... I've seen wicked 52 times since previews in 2006 (only seen this cast once..yawn) but my days of screaming at a cast change are over. I've booked my tickets for 7th Sep eve as I know that will be a regular show where Rachel won't do some stupid riffs that distract from her incredible voice AND there won't be any disrespectful screaming at irrelevant points in the music. Also - Willy is replacing Rachel. You're welcome. |
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4,369 posts
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Post by Michael on Aug 28, 2016 17:33:29 GMT
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2,452 posts
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Post by theatremadness on Aug 28, 2016 17:35:49 GMT
Nothing can ever be as bad as Rachel's final show in 2012, fans screaming throughout the songs, front row were hysterically crying really loudly, wanted to slap them ,hahaha Seriously though Wicked does seem to attract OTT cast change shows I'm front Stalls for 3rd Sept evening, and 5th Sept evening. And i'm hoping it won't be drowned out be screaming fans Also - Willy is replacing Rachel. You're welcome. Wow, the first male Elphaba! |
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Post by welsh_tenor on Aug 28, 2016 18:30:49 GMT
Also - Willy is replacing Rachel. You're welcome. Whilst I love seeing new Elphies, if this happens I will be over the broom excited!!!!!! |
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Post by danb on Aug 28, 2016 19:34:44 GMT
Snooker ace Willie Thorne?
That bloke from Sex & The City Willie Garson?
Ex-and probably departed politician Willie Whitelaw?
Willie Carson; jockey & question of sport panellist?
None of them seem like obvious replacements...care to comment?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2016 20:16:56 GMT
Willy "the fresh prince" Smith would be superb!
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He does make a good point though, as a fan I've kinda drifted over the last few months, the fanbase being one of many contributing factors. I did very much fall in love again after seeing Jodie Steele completely ace Elphaba in Bradford, surrounded by a great supporting cast, but then three days later they all upped sticks and went off to Asia 
