I have recently seen both musicals. I watched the touring version of Wicked last week in San Diego. I watached the Las Vegas version of Avenue Q in March. I have listened to both Soundtracks. Even though I love Avenue Q, Wicked was just better.
Anonymous
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I believe that Wicked was one of the best current Broadway performances that NYC had showcased. However, when Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel (who both one Tony's for their performances) retired from doing the show, the production went downhill tremendously. Avenue Q was the exact oppisite. They started on the downlow and progressed slightly upward after awhile.
AVENUE Q is about trying to make it in New York City with big dreams and a tiny bank account. WICKED is about a misconceived young witch trying to make it in the wizarding world. It totally depends on your taste. I believed if weighed on the Broadway scale, they come out dead even.
It just depends on the different taste of the critic or viewer.
Arrow
If you get a chance, you really need to see Avenue Q in New York to get the full effect (and a more consistent cast.) I haven't seen Wicked, but I say Ave. Q in both NY and Vegas and there was a definite difference.
ballerina_kim
I don't think the shows compare to eachother other than the fact that they competed for the Tony Award Best Musical.
I guess it depends on what your taste is. If you like flashy big budget theater with your typical plot, then Wicked is great.
Avenue Q is so different. You don't see many puppets used on stage, certainly not that material either.
Again it depends on taste.
Anonymous
Wicked was bad, avenue Q is funny.