“Wicked,” a mission for marketers, has become a darling of pundits as well. During the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC, after interviews with Cynthia Erivo (No, she doesn’t mind theater fans singing along to the songs), there were numerous videos from the movie; it was unclear whether they were commercials or part of the parade coverage by the network (which is owned by the same conglomerate that produced the movie.) But the film adaptation of a Broadway musical also has been the subject of think pieces and commentator roundtables.
A regular feature in the New York Times among its opinion writers about such topics as the threats to democracy, the complexity of identity politics, the fallout from the election, the gender gap, gentrification: They worked in precisely those topics in their discussion of Wicked (Four Opinion Writers on ‘Wicked’: ‘Women Deserve Rage. We Have a Lot to Be Angry About.’)
An article in the Atlantic Magazine discusses how all Oz stories reflect “core American values: self-sufficiency, personal reinvention, the exploration of wider frontiers.” Also how “the mode that Oz has continued to lend itself to best is musical theater, a genre predicated on suspension of disbelief and thus well suited to conveying Oz’s odd earnestness.”
A business article in the LA Times: (Will ‘Wicked’ box-office success rejuvenate the tricky business of Broadway adaptations?) “It’s tough to bring the energy of a live stage production to the big screen.”
Scenes from the parade: Bluey restored (after collapsing Thanksgiving Eve); Cole Escola atop a pink flamingo. (See videos of the Broadway performances below.)
Looking Behind, Looking Ahead
Theater for Which I’m Grateful in 2024
Theater Quiz for November 2024
December 2024 NYC Theater Openings
Holiday Shows in NYC 2024
Cyber Monday Deals
These are unfolding as the day progresses. If the links don’t work, try searching online.
Today Tix “Cyber Broadway” deals
Use code CYBMON to unlock our Cyber Monday deals.
This offer expires today at 11:59 PM EST.
PAC NYC: Use code CYBER50 at checkout to save 50% on tickets* for
Time For Three,
Tanya Tagaq,
Samora Pinderhughes, and
Britton & The Sting!
TDF: Just for Cyber Monday: Receive a FREE limited edition TKTS holiday ornament with every $500 oPrder^ of TKTS gift certificates.* They never expire and work like cash at our TKTS Discount Booths, As a bonus, for every gift certificate sale of $250, you receive a single-use Fast Pass** so your giftee cC Aan skip the line at TKTS Times Square. That means if you spend $500 today, Cyber Monday, you receive the TKTS ornament and two Fast Passes!
The Week in New York Theater News
In honor of World AIDS Day, short new plays by people with HIV, developed through Donja R. Love’s Write It Out writing workshop, will be presented for free at The LGBT Center in Manhattan tonight.
The Broadway premiere of “English,” opening January 23 at Roundabout’s Todd Haimes Theater, will feature the original cas from the off-Broadway world premiere: Tala Ashe as “Elham,” Ava Lalezarzadeh as “Goli,” Pooya Mohseni as “Roya,” Marjan Neshat as “Marjan,” and Hadi Tabbal as “Omid.” (My review of the Off-Broadway production.)
Boy George is returning to Moulin Rouge on Broadway in the role of Harold Zidler starting March 18.
The Royal Shakespeare Company is to embed AI into live performance as part of a £13.5 million government investment package. (The Stage.)
New York Times Notable Books of 2024 picks for theater lovers (sort of)
In Memoriam
Helen Gallagher, 98, Tony winner for “Pal Joey” and “No, No, Nanette” “I find acting quite painful. I don’t really want to strip away my innermost feelings… but I can’t give myself permission to do things badly”
Marshall Brickman, 85, a writer best-known for his screenwriting collaboration with Woody Allen films, most notably “Annie Hall,” also wrote the book for two Broadway musicals, “Jersey Boys” and “The Addams Family”
The Week’s Theater Video
Watch Broadway at Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024
