Review # 32: Wicked

 After delaying this review and another review that I will post soon, I finally have some time to write my Wicked review. This is not my first time seeing his musical. However, since I have not yet written a review for this show, I figured I finally write one. So is Wicked as good as they say? Find out in this review!

Plot: Inspired by the novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, written by Gregory Maguire, Wicked tells the audience what happened before the events of The Wizard of Oz. Glinda and Elphaba (the soon-to-be Wicked Witch of the West) are roommates at Shiz University, and eventually friends. Since Elphaba is wonderfully talented, she is able to meet the one and only Wizard and she takes her best friend, Glinda to the Emerald City. However, encountering the Wizard changes both Glinda's and Elphaba's lives for good, as one is proclaimed good and the other wicked. You will never look at the Wizard of Oz the same after seeing this musical. As someone in the audience, I thoroughly enjoyed the plot of Wicked. It was beautifully well-written and the theme of friendship remained strong throughout the show. If you want a story about a friendship between two women who are the opposite of each other, you need to see this show. 

Characters: All the characters in the show had their own unique charm. Elphaba is a talented young woman but is considered an outcast and a freak among her classmates. Yet Elphaba is vocal and stands up to not only her classmates but to people who are more powerful than she is.  Elphaba is caring and although she and Glinda might butt heads at times, she will always love her best friend no matter what. Glinda is the complete opposite of Elphaba. She is popular amongst her peers and many people look up to her. Although many of her peers despise Elphaba, Glinda befriends her. Not to spoil the ending, but Glinda's strength at the end of the show makes you really feel for her as a character. Other characters include the swoon-worthy Fiyero, the pipsqueak, Boq, Elphaba's sister, Nessa Rose, Headmistress of Shiz University Madame Morrible, and the wonderful Wizard of Oz all make this musical entertaining to watch. 

Songs: All of the songs in Wicked are masterpieces. Stephen Sondheim outdid himself while writing these iconic songs. Many, if not all songs in the show are wonderful. Some highlights include "No One Mourns The Wicked", "Dancing Through Life", "What Is This Feeling?", "For Good", "Popular", and of course one of Wicked's mindblowing songs "Defying Gravity". All of these songs are so catchy and beautiful that you'll just want to play them over and over again. 

Sets: The sets really make the show come to life. Before the show begins there is a map of Oz showing all the places that are featured or mentioned in the show and in the middle of the map shows a glittering Emerald City. The sets before, during, and after the show also features a dragon hanging above the stage with gears on parts of the stage to represent The Clock of the Time Dragon. Even during the show, it looks like you entered the land of Oz. All of the sets are fascinating to watch as the story is told. 

Overall, Wicked is one of the most popular shows on Broadway, putting on performances for almost 20 years. Personally, I think Wicked is for anyone of any age and it tells a story that is full of heart. So if you have not seen Wicked yet, what are you waiting for? Go get tickets to Wicked and see the land of Oz like you've never seen it before!