Wicked - a musical that's been so hot in NY city, we didn't even try to go see it. i heard so many things about it - that it should have won the tony for best musical, that there is a huge cult following (made up of 13 year old girls) of this musical, and people go crazy for it. i bought the soundtrack, was mildly disappointed with it, and so my expectations were both high and low at the same time. and i went and saw it. had great seats, and was immediately blown away. i've seen a lot of musicals and i'd like to think that i'm hard to impress, but wow. definitely laughed, and cried, and was moved. the musical was surprisingly deep, like the idea that the speaking animals of Oz can lose the ability to speak.

"Elphaba: So, you're saying that there are animals that have, somehow, forgotten how to speak? But, how is that possible?
Dillamond: Well, with so much pressure not to..."

and then later, another teacher who has replaced Dr. Dillamond (the last Animal professor left) says: "Now, as I was saying, one of the benefits of caging a Lion cub while he's young is that he never, in fact, will learn how to speak." it was a very powerful metaphor, esp in Elphaba's life and her journey in learning how to overcome her circumstances and to defy gravity. (am i sounding like one of those 13 year old girls who love this musical??)

my favorite part was the ending of the first act, which left me speechless (seen in the top two left pictures in the collage below). it doesn't look that impressive, but with the special effects and the music and the singing, the overall effect was breathtaking.

bottom left: Elphaba, the wicked witch and Glinda the good witch, consorting after Glinda sends Dorothy away on the yellow brick road.

bottom right: Elphaba's first appearance as a shadow in the background

top right: the original Elphaba, Idina Menzel, getting "greenified". It must have been horrible to do that every night!

Others: pictures of the original cast members Kristen Chenoweth (the role of Glinda was made for her) and Idina Menzel.

 


Elphaba: "I’m through accepting limits
‘Cause someone says they're so
Some things I cannot change
But till I try, I'll never know
... I'm flying high,
Defying gravity"