Defying Gravity…
Posted By Phil on March 28, 2008
It’s not every day you get to see a show that can captivate and thrill you to the point of no return, as was the case for me tonight. Since finding out my first week here (in January) that Wicked was playing (its second run in LA, but the first since I’ve been here, obviously) at LA’s historic Pantages Theater, we’ve had tickets to see the show.
And damn. They were worth every penny. Having spent my youth never actually seeing shows (the musical genes only shine in the gay one in the family), and then also being in Albuquerque, no show ran for more than eight days, or two weeks if we were lucky. So it was (and in some ways still is) difficult for me to fathom the fact that Wicked, here, was set to run from February through June, but that they were pushing it to run all the way through January of next year. How do you sustain audiences? How do you maintain interest? And the answer is: put on the most amazing production you’ll ever see in your entire life.
I’ll try to sum up what it’s like to see Wicked in two words: FUCKING INCREDIBLE. (Note: that first word is necessary because no other word in the English language can function as such a powerful adverb.) Aside from times when I’m sick, I’ve never breathed so much through my mouth in my entire life. My jaw simply refused to say put, opting instead to drop in incredulity about twice a minute.
The LA cast is amazing. A powerful ensemble traverses the stage throughout the show in a variety of roles. A live orchestra fills the place effortlessly. Characters flit about an elaborately decorated stage full of killer sets and lit by lights that, let’s face it, may as well be magic. And through it all, a delightfully girly Galinda (”GAH-LINDA”) (played by Megan Hilty) antagonizes a brilliantly honest and bitter Elphaba (played by Caissie Levy, who has one of the most amazing voices I’ve ever heard sing). The two witches played wonderfully off one another, and had the show gone on all night, I doubt very much that I would have noticed.
What’s great about Wicked is that first and foremost, it’s a fantastic story. Then, as a musical, the music is catchy, the lyrics are smart, and the sets are breath-taking. The Clock of the TIme Dragon? Awesome. The bridge outside? Beautiful. The school grounds? Perfect. Elphaba’s castle-esque Wicked Witch Hideout*? Genius.
And costumes! My god, COSTUMES!!! Lovely, the lot of them. Having only listened to the soundtrack and read about one-third of the book (I’m still going on it, and will finish fairly soon, I’m sure), it was a treat to see it brought to life so spectacularly. I was so pulled in to the show that I may as well have been sitting on stage hanging out with everyone there. Is it any wonder, then, that as we left the theater when it was over, I waved the theater goodbye and promised to see it again soon? Yeah, didn’t think so.
*I’m not sure if it’s a “lair” or “castle.” It always looked dungeon-y to me, or else castle-like.
Amen, amen, amen, amen, AMEN! Wicked is SUCH a fantastic show…I’m so glad you had the chance to see it! I’ve defied gravity twice…the first show was in London, with none other than Idina Menzel as lead (THE original Elphaba…OMG!) At the time, I was living in London with my BFF, who was getting her MA in Musical Theatre, and four of her classmates (also getting MAs in Musical Theatre), so I was thoroughly prepared to love every moment of it…and did I ever! The second time was in Chicago…I surprised my mom with tickets last March when we came to preview the university here. Did you know Elaine is scheduled to see it soon, too?
Wicked has been playing in Chicago for a couple years now, which is super close to me… so I’ve seen Wicked three times. I swear each time gets better. I always get misty-eyed when the music starts and the dragon moves. I’m pretty sure I saw Megan Hilty, the name sounds familiar. I think she was an understudy on a tour? Anyways, I’m SO glad you went! It’s such an incredible experience!!
Wow. I seriously must be the only queer-mo who hasn’t seen Wicked. I mean, I read the book and liked it. The soundtrack is fun, but never saw it. I’m being dragged there with my university’s Queer Alliance group to see it–and what do you know, it’s almost all gay men. I think I’m going to hide behind some of the bi-women who are going.
Less than two months until my showing. Can’t wait!
Erin: I could probably stand to see this show every day for the rest of the year and still be thrilled by it.
Renee: According to the playbill, Megan Hilty was on the national tour, but it didn’t say anything about her being an understudy. She’s fabulous.
Noel: That may be prudent, as we gay men tend to go a tad crazy throughout the performance.
Elaine: I’m counting down the days to your show too, then. No doubt your life will be changed forever upon seeing it.
I know this is so not with the subject, but I’m hoping for a drunk pass. I wanna hear and learn how you started from scratch. I have wasted no less than 7 fucking hours today trying to steal then alter broken themes. I would have pushed myself off a cliff by now if the wine wasn’t decent.
Ahh, so jealous. When it came to Pittsburgh it sold out in 2.5 seconds. Have you ever read the book?
The original goal was to have read the book completely before seeing the show. I’m still not quite half-way finished, but I’m loving it, too.
Ooooh. Read the book then went to see the show last year in Toronto. I had Megan Hilty too but Shoshana Bean played our Elphaba.