[JasonFL]

I don't know if you've seen this yet... It's a 32 minute mini version of WICKED performed in part Japanese and part English at a Japanese Theme Park.

Enjoy!

http://usj.web.infoseek.co.jp/usjmovie/index.htm

[Scroll down to BOX labeled JET. Find the word WICKED and then click on Blue Letters on far right. ]

[Etoile]

Oh...my...Oz. Thank you so much for posting this!!!

This is undoubtedly the most awesome video I have seen in a long time! It's amazing how they can switch between the two languages like that. The girl who played Elphaba pronounced the English words really well too. The video was actually 32 minutes long (unless I'm mistaken) but I watched the whole thing. I wonder if there will ever be a Japanese recording of Wicked? I would buy it.

Now...time to force everyone I know to watch this!

[PAMIE]

Thanks! cool video, and it like the whole show 33 min.

[TR_Wolf]

That was odd.

It just has them as friends straight off... okay... that works surprisingly, it just cuts out a BIG chunk, until they cut back to it as a memory of somesort. Interesting.

"my face is frushing" and "makes my very fresh begin to crawl" ...lol

Looked good, but the whole three words of english then Japanese dialogue was odd...

Although "The Wizard and I" could've been in both languages so the Japanese knew what she was saying.

Superb Elphaba, belts good, I think she's Western but can speak Japanese.

Quite a fun perky Glinda too, she could be great with a bit of training, I liked her hair flipping.

And what was the Wizard stood there going on about whilst Elphie and Glinda were looking bored in the background just before the flashback?

And although the defying gravity effect was simplified, it still worked well!

I liked the flag drop at the end!

But yeah it was a good mini. No Fiyero or anything, but they'd get that if they see the proper thing, so thats good. Yeah very good.

[The Very Angry Woman]

[Pounce]

I wonder if that half hour show might be teaser for a possible full Japanese version of Wicked? Good way to test it on Japanese audiences to see how they react to it.

Yeah, I think the Elphaba is a Westerner. I like her Elphaba personality. But the Galinda seems too superficial. Wicked's Galinda has more depth than that. But I am impressed with the cast's singing performances...very good. And I wouldn't mind seeing that Elphaba perform in the States although I think her singing needs to improve just a smidgen.

[Pounce]

In case anyone was having troubles finding it...here is a direct link to it.

http://www.geocities.jp/usjm3/wkd060712_4j.wmv

[Sakur@]

Hi!

I almost fainted with shock when I first heard about 30 minutes version of Wicked in Universal Studio Japan. But when I watched the video, I thought it's not that bad as musical fans in Japan were imagined.

Next year, the full version of Wicked will opened in Japan according to Playbill online The production will be run by the company which is responsible for CATS in Japan. I really hope the company will make a wonderful Wicked!

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/101022.html

Sakur@

[Pounce]

Oh wow, so there will not only be a Japanese production but also a production in LA too. Well, the only other country that seems to like to follow Broadway and West End is Germany. Any hints about a German Wicked production?

Sort of makes me wonder. Should they do a Wicked movie now while the show is hot or later when the stage show's popularity starts to wane?

[swmustang878]

I think the Elphaba was good, not great, but good(I think she kinda looked like a combination of Stephanie J. Block and Idina Menzel. IDK). It was definitely interesting to see the differences in how the music flowed and the enitre play, for that matter, flowed being so short. Not being able to understand the Japanese was also a bummer because I'm sure they had to change some of the dialogue for such a short play. Going back and forth from Japanese to English was just WIERD! I guess its necessary for the music to sound right though. As for the Glinda, I just didn't like her. Not because she's Japanese or anything, but her voice isn't the bubbly Glinda voice that we usually have in America. I think she tried too hard. Also, in Popular, when Galinda says, "We're gonna make you Pop-u-ler, -lar," it didn't translate well at all into Japanese because it sounded like she said "-lar" twice. lol. I don't think the Wizard was too bad besides his falsetto. That was funny when he sung, "so I aaaammmm a sentimental man." Lastly, no Fierro or Madame Morrible was dissapointing for someone who already saw it, but it worked well still. Overall, it was a decent adaptation, and the banner drop was pretty sweet.

[Baker]

It's very well done, all things considered. Going in and out of Japanese and English isn't very appealing, but oh well. And the Wizard's speech does get boring, but I think that's him explaining to the audience that eventually Elphaba becomes the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda becomes Glinda the Good because, obviously, without Act 2 they don't go into full detail about all that.

Sometimes Elphaba looked like Sutton Foster... she was very good, especially with The Wizard and I.

I didn't really like Glinda... she seemed like she was from a high school production of Wicked.

[zeppy1223]

you've gotta love how they switch back and forth between languages

[swmustang878]

Oh yeah!!! I absolutely LOVE hearing, "One short day, honie she wei koe tae yu." lol. (BTW, if you couldn't tell, I made up the Japanese part so I don't want anyone jumping down my throat because I said it wrong! LOL. )

[Baker]

[rytoast25]

lol!!!!!!!

[thatjaazz]

I am having trouble finding the video on the link provided. Maybe it's not there anymore? If somebody downloaded the video, would you be able to email me the file? I would appreciate it very much!!

k

[swmustang878]

Wow! It's definitely not there anymore. I would e-mail it to you, but I already deleted it. Sorry!

[qpidsangel]

i have it. PM me

[akariverdancer]

About 30% of the Universal Studios version, which is presented several times each day, is in English; the full-scale production will be completely translated into Japanese. The Universal production also features three Elphabas and three Glindas; the green-faced witches are played by American or Australian actresses, while the Glindas are all Japanese.

[musicaltheatrefan]

The new production in Tokyo is very good. Numao Miyuki is much more expressive in her singing than Kristin was.