Review: Wicked-- Broadway Performance

Back in March I saw Wicked. This was something that I wanted to see for years and I was treated to it by my boyfriend. The dreams I had of watching it back when I was a closeted gay kid living in rural America came true and I am so grateful for what my boyfriend did.

Wicked is a performance based on the novel of the same name. It is a retelling of L. Frank Baum's Wizard of Oz that looks at it from the perspective of the Wicked Witch of the West. Before she gained the infamous title, she was a green-skinned girl named Elphoba. Tasked by her father to care for her sister-- who uses a wheel-chair-- Elphoba joins her sister to attend a school of magic. During her time in the school, she also learns that she has great magical potential. In fact, she is perhaps one of the most powerful sorceresses to exist in all of Oz. Attending a magical school comes with no shortage of expectations or challenges. However, she manages to befriend one of her rivals-- a young witch known as Glinda, who comes from the South. Additionally, she also catches the attention of one of the most handsome boys in her class...something makes those around her green with envy. Despite her green skin, the professors and other authorities see her potential and they work to assure her magical education.

However, beneath these intentions Elphoba learns that there are more sinister forces at work. She and many other students notice the shift in dynamics as teachers suddenly become more afraid to say anything about the disappearance of classmates and the talking animals. Even one of Elphoba's most outspoken professors becomes more concerned especially after his classroom is defaced by vandals with slurs.

Together with Glinda, Elphoba undertakes a journey that takes her through the land of Oz. Her initial plan is to seek counsel from the Wizard. But when plans change and true allegiances are revealed-- Elphoba finds herself labeled as one of the most wicked witches in all of Oz, and a fugitive. It puts her at odds not only with her family and friends...but it also puts her life in grave danger. As one of the greatest political adversaries of the land of Oz, she leads a resistance against the political regime that is run by the Wizard. It is one that will come with no shortage of sacrifices or tensions between her and those she is close with.

There are several memorable lines throughout the musical. This one comes from the infamous musical number "Defying Gravity"

Too long I've been afraid of Losing love, I guess I've lost Well, if that's love, it comes at much too high a cost

The performance itself is incredible, with leading vocalists weaving through operatic sounds and ballads. The acting is also superb. Even the stage and the costumes are amazing. One quip I did have is that the show was definitely longer than necessary. Sometimes less is more and I do believe that it could have been structured to a one act show. Alas, this is also Broadway.