DR Noel, are you also saying that people who HAVE read the book shouldn't see the show? We have already been told by Maguire HIMSELF, and Holzman's changes are at least true to the original author's intents.
I'm saying that everyone should see the show, as soon as they can. I understand that, for some, it will be many years before they see
Wicked (tour, Australian premiere, local productions, whatever).
I'm saying that one of the many pleasures of the show are its surprising plot turns.
Just from reading today's posts, I gather that Winnie Holzman made some changes in the plot; a reader familiar with the original novel
might be surprised.
My musical who-dunnit,
Murder at the Savoy, or, Pulley of the Yard contains a surprising plot twist or two. Whenever I send out a tape of it, I've sent along a carefully worded synopsis that doesn't give away the ending. I'd prefer people to enjoy the surprise.
I don't know why Holzman and Schwartz didn't include a synopsis with the CD of
Wicked. But, if I may be so bold, please allow me to
assume that the creators of the show don't want their surprising twists revealed. In fact, that's the only reason I can think of why a synopsis was left out.
My advice, once again, is that you'll enjoy the show more if you don't know these twists in advance, but, by all means, do what you want to do.