Defying Gravity

"I'm through accepting limits, because someone says they're so. Some things I cannot change but til I try I'll never know" -Defying Gravity, Wicked

This blog post is solely a review of the Broadway hit, Wicked. I just got back from seeing it at a theater in San Francisco, and it was definitely one of the most amazing opportunities I have had the privilege of experiencing. This was actually the first 'non-high school' musical/play I have ever attended, so it was an extra special experience.

For those of you who haven't seen or heard of this production, it's story centers on the re-telling of the movie "The Wizard of Oz." However, in this version the focus is on the two witches, Glenda (The Good Witch of the North ) and Elphaba (The Wicked Witch of the West), and how they came to be iconic images we know today. We learn that both witches were not exactly who we thought them to be, and because of the circumstances they grew up in, the audience is able to see the evolution of the two characters. The show even reintroduces the main characters from The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion.

The set design of Wicked was possibly my favorite part. A giant, movable, puppet like dragon loomed over the the stage throughout the play, and occasionally came to life during climactic points of the production. Giant cogs and gears lined the walls of the stage, and the backdrop shifted from silhouettes of Oz, to classrooms, and from dark forests to the Emerald City itself. The costume design was another incredible aspect. In true "Oz" fashion, the costumes were bright, shiny, and elaborate. Even the design of the flying monkey's was true to the original movie!

Perhaps the most impactful part of the Wicked experience was the performance of the song Defying Gravity, which some of you may be familiar with as it was featured on one of my favorite TV Shows, Glee. The quote I used at the beginning of this blog is a line from the song, which I found particularly moving. In the scene, Elpheba (the wicked witch) is faced with a delima in using her new powers to fly away so that she may save the animals of Oz. However, I feel that the song is quite inspiring as it applies to life. Coming from a very small town in rural North Carolina, I had very few opportunities to "fly high." You could say I felt like a big fish in a small pond. Everywhere I turned there seemed to be someone throwing up road blocks, and people telling me to just accept certain things. Now that I am a young adult, I have been able to bust out of small town USA and really start pursuing all the adventures life has to offer me. I mean c'mon, I'm living in Berkeley, CA! Who would have guessed? I definitely wouldn't have 4...8...10 years ago. Anyways, I probably should wrap this up and go to bed, so if you haven't seen Wicked yet...go buy your ticket right now!!!!!!