Wicked

Now I've always been wary of musicals. I think I've inherited my *ahem* disdain for them from my father, who whenever we went to go see Phantom of the Opera, would have a sour grimace on his face. My grandfather is the same way, except he groans loudly, attracting the attention of others to us, watching as I slowly sink into my seat from embarrassment. When we went to see Sweeney Todd, he said loudly, "Arielle, you didn't tell me this was a musical! I should go get my money back!" There have been few, very few musicals which I have enjoyed such as Phantom of the Opera and West Side Story (I'm still debating whether or not it is technically a musical). So when one of my good friends invited me and Ezra to see Wicked with her for her eighteenth birthday, I was a little apprehensive. I didn't want her parents to pay for my ticket if I didn't think I was going to enjoy the musical.

Imagine my surprise when, as soon as the first song is sung, I find myself drawn into the alternate Universe of Oz, smiling as the actors prance around on stage and sing love ballads to one another. As I walked out of the theater, my cheeks glowing in excitement from the surprisingly, decent, happy ending, I realized, I loved it.

It was interesting with a strong dash of romance but most of all it was witty and humorous. Glinda's outrageously happy go lucky character was amusing, albeit charming wile Elphaba's biting wit reminded me of my own sense of humor. It was a musical anyone could enjoy because it spoke to the outcast that exists in every single person. Oh, yes, I enjoyed it immensely.

But of course, it was also an excuse to wear a fabulous, simple outfit (silk homecoming dress with opaque black tights, BCBG heels, and a DIY bow headband).

Have you ever seen Wicked and what did you think of it?