Who's Wicked?

Last night in Chicago I took time out to see a show. Wicked is awesome!

Wicked is the tale of a girl who is born different, and who grows to become "The Wicked Witch of the West" in the Wizard of Oz. Was she born wicked? Is there another side to the story? Is history written by the winners?

I thoroughly enjoyed the show. It was in the spectacular Oriental Theatre at Chicago's Ford Center. I'd never been to this theatre and was overwhelmed by the decor. It's a blend of Indian and Chinese images that are layered on so thickly that it has to be seen to be believed.

The show was a wonderful fantasy of music, dance and the oddities of Oz. I've always been a fan of the Frank Baum fantasies and still pick them up from time to time. While I haven't read the book yet (though it is on my stack) I thought the stage version gave a delightful twist to the world I already knew and gave me a new perspective to go back and read the classics again.

I love live performances. There is just something about the energy and the presence of people on a stage, with lights and musicians and a living breathing audience. It's not like a movie or television where people sit and stare. It's an ensemble. A song or an event happens on the stage that makes you feel like you have to respond, so you do. And the people on stage, they hear you; they feel you. You can tell. You can sense the connection between what you do and the fact that you care.

When was the last time that you stepped out to see a show? Look in the paper or on the event web sites. You will see odd little shows in unknown little theatres by people who want to give you this experience. You will see shows travelling through your town bringing the music and the magic of Broadway right to you. Does it cost more than a movie? Yes! But you will get so much more out of it. You will remember the experiece-- yes! experience-- that you have by sharing this once in forever moment between you, the audience and the living people who give you this performance. Go! See! Love it!

And... if Wicked comes close to you, go and see it. There may be a movie some day. It won't even come close.