I went to see my first musical the other day. In school I was never involved in drama and never went out of my way to catch whatever performance might be going on. I was doing other things and I can honestly say I have missed out on something wonderful.  

Wicked is  the story of Elphaba and her emerald-green skin, who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda the Good Witch from The Wizard of Oz. They become friends after some initial dislike and even though their friendship is tested they manage to stay true to each other. Mix in a handsome love interest, an ungrateful sister, and characters that break out into song every few words and you have it.

I have not read Wicked by Gregory Maguire the novel the play is based on, I tried when it first came out but I could not get past the first few chapters. But from what I have heard the musical has very little in common with the book. After seeing it though, even if it has little to do with the book, it does make me want to pick up the book again. The idea is wonderful, giving someone who has been an evil being in the eyes of so many for so long a more human personality.

I remember watching The Wizard of Oz as a little girl and being afraid of the flying monkeys. The Wicked Witch of the West was truly a figure to fear with her bright green skin, sharp pointed nose, and her fingers curling toward Dorothy like claws. But what scared me most was the field of poppies and the fact that the Witch could bring sleep to Dorothy and her companions from so far away.

In Wicked we see how the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow came to be. We see also that Elphaba was just reacting to the circumstances around her, almost pushed into being the Wicked Witch whether she wanted to be or not. Not to mention the fact that getting a bucket of water dumped on her is not where the story ends.

The singing was fantastic, the acting wonderful, the sets and costumes truly delightful. I have to admit that the costumes were my favorite, I long to wear Glinda’s shimmering blue gown or Elphaba‘s black dress. There was also a fair amount of humor which I had not expected. They poked fun at The Wizard of Oz and Glinda’s character was so over the top and lots of fun to watch.

The play is 2 hours and 30 minutes long with a 15 minute intermission and while that sounds like a long time the play moved forward so quickly there was not a dull moment. I had a wonderful time and I can not wait to see what will be playing next at the Civic Center.