Filed by Bil at 11:54 am under The Arts

Chicago Sun-Times:

We made it popular: ‘Wicked’ closes long Chicago run

I have no comment about the show itself; I never saw it. I chose never to see it. I’ve heard the soundtrack and I’ve seen pictures, and I’m satisfied that I never needed to go to the Oriental and view it. Not even for free. I would never have paid money to see it. Not to be snobbish, I just never had the desire, and those tickets are wicked – er, very expensive.

My first reaction when I think about “Wicked” down in the Loop is hell’s bells, why is this show still open? At least, it was. Now it’s closing…I think my first reaction after this will be hell’s bells, why was that show open so long?

One thousand, five hundred shows. In numbers, that looks like this: 1,500. None of those who worked on the show were there for every single show, I don’t think, but many were there for a good majority of those shows. As an actor, I couldn’t imagine doing so many of the same show. It would drive me nuts. At least, I think it would. I’ve never been in a situation like that. But I think it would drive me nuts. That’s my general reaction when I hear that number.

However, this paragraph made me rethink that reaction:

“Financially, ‘Wicked’ was an opportunity to get back on track for many of us, myself included,” said [Rondi] Reed. “Every actor should be blessed by having this sort of job come into their life. I hope it happens for more of our hard-working Chicago talent in the years to come.”

She’s got a good point there. I have a day job that bores me to insanity anyway…I think I’d gladly give that up to do the same show for way more money than I’m currently making for three and a half years.

It’s not entirely clear in the article why the show is closing. If it has to do with dwindling numbers, that can be assumed to be a result of the floundering economy. I’d say it’s time for theatre producers to go to Washington to ask for billions of dollars in bailout money. Just stroll right up to the front door of Congress with palms face-up and ring the doorbell. Ding, dong.