Think you know the story of the Wizard of Oz? You don't have a complete picture until you've seen WICKED, the musical about two girls that meet in Oz and ultimately become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.
With dazzling dance numbers, over-the-top costumes (reminiscent of "The Hunger Games"), a spectacular set, and impeccable casting, WICKED left its audience in a state of exaltation.
Jenn Gambatese stole the show as "Ga-linda the Good" with her infectious goodness. Her perky refrains in "Popular" had me laughing out loud and the evolution of her character was glorious with humanity. An energetic and notable performance!
Dee Roscioli perfectly countered bubbly Glinda with her intense and sensible stage presence. She absolutely nailed the Wicked Witch of the West laugh and her solos shook the audience to the core.
When Curt Hansen arrives on scene as Fiyero, he plays the part of the cocky fraternity boy to a T. His transformation from outwardly shallow to honest and true was compelling - and his voice was smooth as silk in the duet with Elphaba.
To say that I had high expectations for this show is an understatement. No one was more surprised than I that the performance actually exceeded my lofty eagerness.
The show bleeds with imagination and heartfelt emotion. When we drove off, I turned and commented about how, "I would see the show again tomorrow night." It was nothing short of sensational.
Currently playing in Charlotte, NC and Tucson, AZ - the show's next stops include Rochester, NY, Dallas, TX, and Kalamazoo, MI. The show is 2 hours and 30 minutes with a 15-minute intermission. Tickets generally range in price between $45-$175.
Have you seen WICKED? What is your favorite song from the soundtrack?
I love Wicked! And all things Broadway for that matter. Defying gravity is my favorite song to sing in the shower:-) I also love "For Good" (a great friendship song). This year will be my second time seeing the show, and I could see it 1,000 times without getting bored. Glad you had fun!
Seeing the show definitely re-ignited my love of theatre. Did you know that "The Lion King" is coming to Tempe in October? Tempting!
It was great to see you there, Stephanie! :-)
Same to you, Katie! Did you enjoy the show? What scenes were your favorite?
"I'm Not That Girl" was such a beautiful and heartbreaking song...stayed with me after the closing curtain.
The "Popular" scene stood out to me too! Hilarious! "See? This is how you toss your hair. Toss. Toss."