Read "WICKED" first or see the play first?

[Soccer Princess]

Since so many of you have already seen the musical Wicked, would you read the book first or see the show first? Are they very similar?

Thanks

 

[wvrevy]

There are a lot of similarities and some significant differences. We saw the show before I ever read the book, and that's how I would recommend doing it, so that the surprises in the show aren't spoiled by the book. Plus, I find that I'm often disappointed when I see a show or movie that has been made from a book that I liked. There are always things missing that I thought really should have been there, so it takes away some of the enjoyment, for me.

But I guess it depends on whether you'd prefer being surprised by the show or by reading the story beforehand Either way, hope you enjoy both of them as much as we did !

 

[rascalmom]

I haven't seen the play yet - plan to soon, but I have read the book. I'm an avid reader - I love all kinds of books. I'm in two book clubs & I probably read 4 to 5 novels a month. I did not like this book at all. My friend that has seen Wicked twice - once on Broadway before she read the book & then in Chicago after she read the book also did not like the book. Everyone that I've known that has seen the play loved it. I'd skip the book & just see the play. It is my understanding that there are some major differences.

 

[rcyannacci]

I read the book first and then saw the show...just happened that way. I think they are very different, not so much in plot, but in theme and tone. The book is much darker. It definitely didn't ruin anything about the musical for me to know the story before hand...it already relies on people's understanding of the Wizard of Oz.

 

[scarlett873]

I read the book after seeing the show. I would probably recommend it this way as the book does differ quite a bit from the show. While I enjoyed it, the book is pretty dark and while the major storyline is present in both, I much prefer the show! It correlates to the Wizard of Oz much more, for me, than the book does.

 

[Jynohn]

I didn't care for the book at all. I forced myself to finish it because I kind of have a little OCD about finishing a book I start, but I was really relieved when it was over! It was a little too science fiction/fantasy for my taste and at times was hard to follow.

That being said, I'm still waiting anxiously for the tour to come to Boston this April. I have heard so many fantastic things about the musical that I'm really excited to see it even though I hated the book.

 

[Sparx]

I don't know if or when I am gonna get to see the show, but I am reading the book and loving every minute of it.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Saw the show twice...didn't read the book!

 

[wvrevy]

Here is a GREAT Broadway site where you can watch a "preview" of the show (among others...my favorite is Rent with all of the original cast members).

Broadway World Previews

 

[Jamesbyr]

To quote an 11-year-old girl on my son's swim team (who saw the show AND read the book) "The book is so much more ... 'adult.' The show is family oriented." Her very words.