Wicked: A Wicked Review

I started liking Wicked in 2005, my senior year of high school. I began listening to the soundtrack, reading up on the story, and watching a bootlegged copy of the show. Before that point, if you had presented me with the proposition of a musical expanding the world of Oz, I would have hit you with a yellow brick... maybe the entire road. Yet, as I listened and read, I became more enthralled with the interesting twist that Wicked presents to the Wizard of Oz. Ever since 2005, I have been desiring to see this musical live. I was given that chance today.

There is little bad I can say about the musical. The plot, set, cast, costumes, and atmosphere do a great job of getting getting the audience into the show. I must admit, that from the opening fanfare, I was trapped in this musical. At Shiz, the set reflects what is suppose to be a rather formal and dull atmosphere of the classroom. This is contrasted by Glinda and Elphaba's trip to the Emerald City, where green costumes, set pieces, and lights changed the atmosphere to one reflecting a busy city with a happening night life. My favorite part of the musical had to be the end of Act 1, as Elphaba was raised 20 feet into the air, cape strewn from her to the ground, with her finishing her solo in "Defying Gravity." I had to get a hold of myself at the end of the song, for I had my mouth hanging open in awe of the spectacle that was sight and sound.

Wicked is not only technically impressive though, the story and plot present themes to the viewer that affect all of us every day. Of course, the play pays tribute to stories of revenge and love that populate most plots, but there is a deeper level of storytelling going on in this musical. A theme that the play accentuates, and ultimately ends on, is the question of how we, as a society, decide what is "good" and what is "wicked." Can good and evil just be declared, or are are these concepts something deeper. The play ends with Glinda stating that "although Oz has been through many terrible things, I hope that from them, I can learn to be good." I don't want to spoil the plot for those who don't know how it ends, but I will say that it is not entirely a happy ending. Some characters learn and some don't. It is gratifying and frustrating at the same time.

For 25 Pounds (50$), this was an amazing show and I would recommend it to anyone who has yet to have the opportunity. Heck, I'm going again this fall. Peace out.