During these final days of summer, Chicago’s downtown theaters are hosting “Wicked” and “The Lion King,” two major, family-friendly Broadway hits. Now is the time to think about catching a show before the kids are buried under homework. Don’t know which musical is right for you and yours? Here’s a quick look at what each show has to offer.
`Wicked’ vs. `Lion King’
SYNOPSIS
`Wicked’: A prequel to L. Frank Baum’s “Oz” stories that argues the infamous green witch (here a gawky teenage outcast named Elphaba) isn’t so wicked after all.
`Lion King’: An orphaned lion cub over-comes adversity and becomes king of the African savanna, told by way of puppetry and theatrical spectacle.
SCHEDULE
`Wicked’: At the Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St. Tickets on sale through Jan. 15. Matinees Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, evenings Tuesday- Saturday. Run time is 2 hours, 45 minutes. In Chicago indefinitely.
`Lion King’: At the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St. Tickets on sale through Sept. 4. Matinees Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, evenings Wednesday-Sunday. Run time is 2 hours, 40 minutes. Leaves Chicago Sept. 4.
PRICE
`Wicked’: $25-$125.
`Lion King’: $21-$125.
GETTING THERE
`Wicked’: Parking: Discount for theater patrons at 20 E. Randolph St. CTA: bus (6, 11, 29, 36, 44, 62, 146); train (Red Line, Lake; Brown, Green, Orange Lines, Randolph; Blue Line, Washington)
`Lion King’: Parking: Discount for theater patrons at 171 N. Wells St. CTA: bus (151, 156); train (Red Line, Washington)
SPECIAL OFFERS
`Wicked’: Day-of-performance drawings for $25 seats in the front two rows Tuesday-Thursday at the theater box office and Friday- Sunday at the Borders Books, 150 N. State St. Winners picked two hours before each show.
`Lion King’: None.
AGE FACTOR
`Wicked’: Appropriate for about 8 and older, but it is most popular among preteens and teens.
`Lion King’: Appropriate for about 6 and older, especially if your tot is familiar with the story from the animated Disney movie.
SHOULD YOU SEE THE MOVIE FIRST?
`Wicked’: Absolutely. Many of the jokes and the plot in Act Two rely on at least a passing knowledge of “The Wizard of Oz.”
`Lion King’: Not necessary. Although it couldn’t hurt to watch if you have a copy of the film lying around.
FEAR FACTOR
`Wicked’: The flying monkeys might cause a jitter or two for young tikes, but nothing frightening enough to cause nightmares.
`Lion King’: As the young cub Simba’s archnemesis, the conniving lion known as Scar (played by Chicago actor Larry Yando) is more menacing than scary.
STAR FACTOR
`Wicked’: Former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Ana Gasteyer headlines as Elphaba.
`Lion King’: The visuals are the stars here.
EYE CANDY
`Wicked’: Enough glittery costumes to satisfy your inner fashionista; 140 different pairs of shoes in every performance, and 75 wigs (all made from human hair) including Elphaba’s mane of dark tresses.
`Lion King’: More than 200 puppets used in the show, many of which transform humans into four-footed mammals, including an ingenious half-human, half-puppet cheetah.
SPECIAL EFFECTS
`Wicked’: When Elphaba takes flight, it looks as if she’s floating in midair. 200 pounds of dry ice and a cleverly shrouded stage crane help create the illusion.
`Lion King’: Of all the spectacular moments in this show, the buffalo stampede is the standout–buffalo puppets appear to become larger and larger, as if bearing down on the lip of the stage.
SOUVENIRS AND REFRESHMENTS
`Wicked’: Cast CD, $25; keepsake book, $20; all soda and candy, $3
`Lion King’: Cast CD, $25; keepsake book, $15; all soda and candy, $3
