Why I Can't Stand 'Wicked' the Musical

At this point in time, Hamilton is considered to be the greatest thing to hit Broadway since electric light replaced gaslights. I didn’t particularly like it - and rather resent the 600 for each ticket I paid. But it’s all about personal taste.

I read the book Wicked and was really intrigued as to how they were going to turn it into a musical. Turns out I really enjoyed it. They “did it” by completely altering the tone and most of the core plot which was political in the book. But it was splashy and glitzy and I enjoyed it well enough.

Liking and Disliking the Same Things

As we go through life, there are many things that are immensely popular and trendy. Most of us don’t care for some of them - whether they be fashion, bands, TV shows, cars, or the latest colors or hairstyles. Thank goodness we don’t all like the same things; it would be so boring!

Human Nature and Music

It’s human nature for us all to be attracted to different things. Not every musical will be 100% enjoyable for you. What really matters is that you find what brings you joy, and not necessarily what everyone else is hyping up.

It is possible that you are so impressed by the talent of the performers that you feel green with envy. This can often lead to feelings of resentment rather than genuine enjoyment of the performance.

Comparing Book and Musical

If you read the book first, it is hard not to be disappointed by the musical. The emotional depth of the book is sorely missing in the adaptation. When I saw the production, I was the only one in our group who had read the book. Everyone else thought it was brilliant, but the book provided a much deeper and more profound storytelling experience.

It’s important to remember that adaptations often struggle to capture the nuances and depth of the original material. While the musical may have its merits, the book often offers a richer and more engaging narrative.