My family and I attended a performance of “Wicked.” In The Star’s review (11/14, FYI), something was mentioned about the loudness. I was not clear what was meant until I attended. The volume was ratcheted up way too high. It actually distracts and detracts from the performance.
Words become hard to decipher, and the sheer noise makes one want to turn it off at times. The voices, the acting, the music, the costumes and the premise are quite engaging and entertaining. It is a shame to undermine all of that with a volume that brings it to the level of noise as opposed to theater.
I fear that I left with permanently damaged hearing. I truly wonder what the decibel level was at times. It is my understanding that excessive loudness is becoming more the norm than the exception at performances. If that is the case, there will come a day when there is no one left to hear what beauty there may be.
Jane Connolly
Blue Springs
Editor’s note: “Wicked” runs through Dec. 6 at the Music Hall
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