During the winter of my senior year of high school, back when Myspace was a thing, I discovered music from a musical that told the story of the witches of Oz...from the perspective of the Wicked Witch of the West. I listened to the music and was entranced by how beautiful it sounded. It was powerful. It was moving. And I realized that it was something I wanted to explore on a deeper level.
This exploration turned into me playing the cast recording non-stop and watching every video I could find on youtube.
In April of 2007, my dad took me to Chicago to finally see the show in person.
Of course, that show is Wicked.
After I saw it for the first time I knew that my life was not going to be the same. I am aware that it's not a perfect musical. Some of the dialogue seems forced. Some of the lines fall flat. But the music drew me in. I have watched three separate productions of the show, and I will be going to see it a fourth time in December.
No moment in theater gives me chills like the end of the first act of Wicked does. When Elphaba flies...and sings. And...well...defies gravity...I get these chills and I want to cry and laugh at the same time. It's such a fantastic moment of theater.
A few years later when it came time for me to have a Little sister in Phi Mu...I realized very quickly that Laina was the Galinda to my Elphaba. I introduced her to the show, and we both realized how much the show reflected our lives...including a period of time where we hated each other and didn't speak.
Which makes the song "For Good" that much more painful/bittersweet to listen to.
Wicked introduced me to the world of musicals. It showed me a new world that was "wonderful" and where I could finally be "popular."
The songs have had such an impact on my life. The music and the story have shaped who I am today.
Happy 10 years on Broadway, Wicked. Here's to many MANY more.
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
I do believe I have been changed for the better
And because I knew you...
I have been changed for good.
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