A Wicked Play Review

I finally saw the "musical of the decade," and I was not disappointed. While the music is constantly mesmerizing, the story was even more captivating. No wonder it's a crowd and critic favorite. The use of the fly system was enchanting. The costumes were fun and full of Oz. The characterization was so perfect, I believed every moment; I knew that there were flying monkeys on stage and wizardry and pure magic. There was no doubt whatsoever  because the actors believed what they were portraying was the truth.

What I really want to talk about is the story.

You really do hear far too much about the music, how difficult the vocals are and how pounding and compelling the instruments are. The story is what we actually care about, or rather the message Steven Shwartz is trying to put across.

I got the actors of Fiyero, Elphaba,
Madame Morrible, and The Wizard to
sign my playbill.

I would dare to say that it is more than just a prequel to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Even farther, to say that it is more than just a story of students at a university trying to change the world For Good. It is more than just a single message because the message will be different to everyone blessed enough to embrace the world that Shwartz has provided.

Defying Gravity: I'm still thinking on this one because I know there is more to it than what I'm giving credit for. I could say that Shwartz wants us to reach for the stars, to surpass all limits. But what, exactly? Taking singing lessons because a superior told you that you lacked the ability to sing so now you can prove him wrong? Waking up each morning even when your own body and mind lack the conviction? Smiling and trying to be a force for good when all you think you can do is give up? Caring when all others carry apathy on their shoulder? How do we defy gravity in our own life? It is more than proving someone wrong. I believe that to defy gravity is do at least try to do something when it may be entirely impossible. To try with your whole heart because you know that if you tried, you got yourself one step closer to the rest of the stars in the universe.

I saw this show at the perfect time in my life. The story begins, really, at a university. Both girls, internally, are entirely normal and ordinary. It is what they portrayed of themselves that set them apart.

I leave for college in two weeks. All I can really do, apart from studying, is to try to be different. Not to attract attention, but to make a difference of good where I am at.