For the past year, our family has been deeply immersed in the world of "Wicked". Our two daughters, aged 7 and 9, have become obsessed with the show since seeing it during 2023's Kids Night on Broadway. We watch clips on YouTube, sing the songs at bedtime, and even went back to see the show again. This time, when the "Wicked" movie came along, it was a whole new experience.
Uncover the Differences Between Wicked on Stage and Screen
Comparing the Emotional Impact
When we asked our daughters which they preferred, the 7-year-old chose the movie and the 9-year-old was firm in saying the movie was better. The 9-year-old pointed out that the actress who played Elphaba was amazing in "Defying Gravity" and that the movie felt more real with its special effects and massive sets. They also mentioned that on Broadway, they could see the green gloves on Elphaba's arms, which added to the realism.However, the movie was not without its scares. The scenes with the monkeys trying to get Elphaba were particularly frightening for the 9-year-old. It was a "jump scare" that made them jump and feel scared. But despite the scares, the girls still preferred the movie.Notable Differences in Storytelling
One of the differences the girls noticed was that the movie was more sad and scary. They were moved by the scenes where Elphaba and Glinda had to part and the guards were chasing them. This added a new dimension to the story.Another aspect they discussed was the addition of scenes. In the movie, Elphaba meets Fiyero in the woods before his first big song, which was a change from the Broadway show. The girls also had their opinions about other scenes, like the one where Elphaba gives her teacher her lunch and he eats the paper. In the movie, this was replaced by a CGI goat, which they found a bit strange.Acting and Musical Moments
The girls' favorite song was "Popular", where Glinda's split and spin on the chandelier was a highlight. They also loved Elphaba's voice in "Defying Gravity", although they were amazed at how easy it sounded but how hard it actually was.When it came to the length of the movie, the 7-year-old felt it was a bit long but still enjoyed watching it. They didn't want it to end, even though it only covered the first act of the Broadway show.In conclusion, our family's experience with the "Wicked" movie and Broadway show has been a unique one. The girls' perspectives have given us a new way to look at these two versions of the story, and we can't wait to see what the future holds for "Wicked".