My Wicked review (the musical) the second time around.
The first viewing of Wicked on stage was amazing, Stephanie J. Block was Elphie but we had Glinda's understudy. This time around Ana Gasteyer was Elphie and Glinda's name is escaping me but she wasn't the understudy! Initial impressions, I thought Block delievered her attitude better than Gasteyer but was monumentally moved by Gasteyer's rendition of "No Good Deed". They were both stunning and wonderful. Glinda the second time was much improved over the understudy from the travelling company. She was cuter and perkier and totally Glindafied. I do feel that Gasteyer (who's name I'm probably killing) and Glinda the second time harmonized better, which very very important.
The diffrences between the book at the play still hit me the second time around and weren't bothersome just different. The book is MUCH darker but would change the entire tone of the musical if directly translated. Glinda should be more deviant, Elphie moodier, Fiyero married you know the little things
. I really don't like the love triangle either, because it put a strain on Glinda and Elphie that was completely made up for the play. They had a strained relationship for other reasons in the book, more worthy reasons, not a guy!
I will have to re-read the book one of these days. Good luck Cem!! It's not an easy read to begin with hopefully it'll be smoother the second time around.