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I enjoyed Wicked very much. But when I recently saw it again, though it was a treat to visit the gorgeous Pantages, I was struck again with how really weak I find the second act.
A paucity of songs and plot ... just a lot of wrap things up, isn't-it-cute how we tie in with The Wizard of Oz, and three tiny song lyrics to incidate any sort of change from completely sympathetic Elphaba to anything even remotely resembling the Wicked Witch of the West.
Perhaps the point of the musical is that Elphaba is not Wicked ... but that's not the point of the novel, where she does decidedly become true to the name of the piece and her infamous reputation in pop culture.
Also, though I can understand why a musical would not want to add a bunch of characters in the second act ... considering there was sooo much of the story cut from this section of the tale, and the most interesting parts at that ... I find it especially disappointing that the the post-intermission show was so threadbare.
That said, the show is very entertaining. The costumes are marvelous. And, now that I purchased the CD in the lobby, I can't get the songs out of my head.
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