‘Wicked,’ ‘Ave. Q’ &…’Happy Days’?

The big news on Broadway in the 2003-2004 season was the Tony-Award battle between mega-musical “Wicked” and where-did-that-come-from upstart “Avenue Q.”

(For an up close and personal look at the development of both shows, check out the documentary “ShowBusiness,” which is available at the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library)

“Wicked” takes a revisionist look at “The Wizard of Oz,” with the black-hatted one as the heroine. “Avenue Q” is a sort of “Sesame Street” for disenchanted twentysomethings. With puppets. And sex.

Indy audiences are getting a chance to see both, in what looks to be one of the most professional—and varied—Broadway in Indianapolis seasons in a long time.

In addition to “Wicked” and “Avenue Q,” we’ll be getting our second look at “The Lion King.” Plus there’s a production of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” (the show played most of 2005 on Broadway but the tour has a completely new creative team).

And then there’s “Happy Days.” Yes, a musical version of the long-running sitcom. I’ll hold my thoughts on this one for now.

Instead, I’ll just ask: So, what do you think of the season? Are you a subscriber who is re-upping? A single-ticket buyer who might invest in the season? A season ticket holder who isn’t thrilled? Or someone knew to the big-ticket tours?

Your thoughts?