Wicked Again

Last night we saw a production of Wicked! at the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis.  This was now the third time I have been immersed in the musical which tells the origin stories of the two (or three) witches from the land of Oz.

I first saw (and blogged about) Wicked! just over five years ago.  In some ways, I can't believe it's been that long.  I have the soundtrack, and I listen to the clever, stirring songs from the show quite frequently.  This keeps the show fresh in my mind.  And yet, I know the first time I saw it, we were visiting New York City to let Leah visit NYU to determine if she wanted to apply for admission.  Now she's more than a year past completing her classes there.  Time flies!

Wicked is my favorite musical.  There are many strong contenders.  Wicked has the best combination of music, character and writing.  I still quote some of the lines frequently:

• "There are precious few at ease with moral ambiguities, so we act as though they don't exist."
• "Happy is what happens when all your dreams come true.  Well, isn't it?"
• "Those who don't try never look foolish."

The production we saw last night was on par with what we saw that first time on Broadway. Small differences, but equally fun.  The other production I have seen was in a West End theater in London, and that had a slightly different flavor -- with accents from the Isles -- but was also truly wonderful.

For the record, we saw Jenn Gambatese as Glinda, and Laurel Harris as Elphaba.  Gambatese was simply perfect.  She was comfortable using physicality for humor, while keeping her femininity -- a key for the character.  And that voice!  Harris is listed as the standby for the role of the green-skinned Elphaba, but it's hard to believe.  She was completely committed to the character, put tremendous emotion into her singing without detracting from the musicality, and when she said "It's just, for the first time, I feel wicked" -- well, it was delicious.

I wish I could see it again.  Right now.  So instead, I will listen to the soundtrack.  And then listen to it again.