Wicked at The Pantages Hollywood!
This week we headed out to The Pantages in Hollywood to see one of my most favorite musicals, Wicked! While I’m no stranger to this spectacle (my 6th time seeing it), it was Michael’s 1st & it was great to see it through his eyes. Wicked has been in my life since 2006, I have loved its premise & the songs written by Stephen Schwartz since the first moment I listened to the soundtrack. Numbers like ‘I’m Not That Girl’ & ‘The Wizard & I’ always have comforted me during rough times in my life, so you can imagine how emotional I was seeing the show once again but this time, with my boyfriend by my side….he hadn’t seen me this excited since the Tori Amos concerts! 😉
Wicked tells the story of Elphaba, aka, The Wicked Witch of the West, & Miss Glinda, The Good Witch of the North, & just how they earned those titles following their time together in college as roommates. It seems Elphaba was born green, much to her family’s dismay, & was shunned by her father, who went onto favor Nessa Rose, her wheelchair bound little sister. Even gifting her with a pair of familiar silver shoes (or ruby slippers if you’re a hardcore film fan) on the 1st day of college. While these polar opposite roomies despise each other at 1st, certain situations end up drawing them….gasp! close, & an unlikely friendship is born.
I was thrilled that Chandra Lee Schwartz was Glinda in this production; having seen her the last time I saw the show, on Broadway, she quickly became my favorite actress in the role; Schwartz creates the perfect mix of over the top perky while you’re able to still sense the vulnerability & insecurities that are vital to the role of Glinda; we see her grow from a boy crazy, ditzy blonde in Act 1 to a strong woman needing to hold it together to be the public speaker of Oz in Act 2, by the end of the evening.
And, then, there is Elphaba (named after Wizard of Oz author, L. Frank Baum). The green golden girl of this extravaganza. Played by Emma Hunton, I am always left speechless & in awe at the vocal range & abilities needed to portray & perform the songs of Elphaba. Hunton hit every note beautifully, & I appreciated her added quirks & mocking of Glinda; as with Schwartz, I really felt Elphaba grow as the show progressed. On a few occasions, I felt Hunton spoke some lyrics to the songs, but her high notes in numbers like Defying Gravity & No Good Deed made up for the minor annoyance.
I will never tire of Wicked. It is the ultimate Broadway show that has it all; ensemble numbers, ballads, the love interest & covers topics we all can relate to. It’s The Wizard of Oz, who hasn’t seen the movie?! While it is in no way the story of Dorothy’s journey to return to Kansas, it is the journey of why Dorothy dropped in, & that so many scandals & lives were changed beforehand.
Some have often felt the need to read the best-selling novel it is based from, by Gregory McGuire. While it’s a great read, do not expect it to be anything like the musical. They’re both wonderful, in their own unique ways!
Wicked is currently on tour, with a stop at The Pantages til March. Tickets are selling fast so head on over to Ticketmaster & get yours NOW! xo
Erin
January 8, 2015 at 5:14 pmSo fun! I love Wicked… and now the song is stuck in my head. LOL!
AlongComesMary
January 8, 2015 at 5:28 pmIts the best, Erin!!:)
Jeanine
January 8, 2015 at 5:18 pmI have never seen wicked or anything else sadly but I hope to one day! I love theatre and this kind of thing, so awesome! My new word is inspire 🙂
AlongComesMary
January 8, 2015 at 5:28 pmLove it, Jeanine! Get to a show soon 😉
Lix
January 8, 2015 at 5:48 pmWicked is actually I think the only musical I’ve ever seen in the theatre. Back in 2007 at the Apollo Victoria in London. I really enjoyed it.
AlongComesMary
January 8, 2015 at 10:56 pmThat must have been awesome, Lix!!
karissa
January 8, 2015 at 7:53 pmMy husband and I saw Wicked at the Pantages. I loved it and so did he. I want to see it again.
AlongComesMary
January 8, 2015 at 10:56 pmGo go go, Karissa! 🙂
Heather
January 8, 2015 at 7:58 pmWicked is absolutely the best musical I have ever seen. I haven’t seen them all, but it is at the top of my little old list! 🙂
AlongComesMary
January 8, 2015 at 10:56 pmCompletley agree, Heather! 🙂
Kelly - A Side of Sweet
January 8, 2015 at 8:32 pmI adore Wicked and all musicals! It’s been so long since I’ve seen one live. You’ve totally inspired me!
xxo,
Kelly
http://asideofsweet.com
AlongComesMary
January 8, 2015 at 10:57 pmThank you so much, Kelly!! 🙂
Sarah Close
January 8, 2015 at 8:51 pmCan you believe I’ve never seen Wicked?
AlongComesMary
January 8, 2015 at 10:58 pmTry to go, Sarah!
Beth@FrugalFroggie
January 8, 2015 at 9:07 pmI have not seen Wicked. But it is a musical that I really do want to see.
AlongComesMary
January 8, 2015 at 10:58 pmYou will love it, Beth!
Brenda
January 9, 2015 at 8:02 amI absolutely LOVE wicked! Such a great musical.
AlongComesMary
January 9, 2015 at 9:34 amThanks for stopping by, Brenda!! xo
Susan Cooper
January 9, 2015 at 8:57 amI love this musical. In fact I was just telling my assistant how great it was and she should go see it if she has a chance. It’s wonderful!
AlongComesMary
January 9, 2015 at 9:34 amSpread the love, Susan! =D
Andi
January 9, 2015 at 12:50 pmRead the books and loved them but have not had a chance to see the play yet, it has come to SF several times and I need to catch it next time!
AlongComesMary
January 9, 2015 at 4:05 pmThat’s actually where it played for the very 1st time, too, before heading to Broadway, in 2003! 🙂
Myrabev
January 9, 2015 at 1:21 pmI must be living under a rock because i have never heard of wicked before but will check them out.
kristine foley
January 11, 2015 at 1:35 pmI’ve heard so many positive things about Wicked! On my bucket list to see!