Photo courtesy of Broadway
Hunter Fullhart
Photography and Social Media Editor
One day on Facebook, I saw a post from Century II that changed my life “for good.” “Wicked” was coming to Wichita, and I knew from that moment I had to get my hands on a ticket no matter how bad the seats were. I went into the musical knowing that I was going to be blown away, and I honestly think I died and went to heaven.
“Wicked” follows the witches of Oz and what happened before little ole’ Dorothy came crashing in. It mainly focuses on Glinda, the Good and Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West and their treacherous journey through college and all the peril that follows. Elphaba was born green and from then on, her parents knew she was different. Elphaba tries everything in her power to control her wickedness, but it’s not that easy. She begins to spiral out of control finally realizes to embrace her true self: That she is Wicked.
This musical is so mind-blowing, that it has been days since I saw it and I still am trying to grasp what I witnessed. Elphaba (Jessica Vosk) and Glinda (Amanda Jane Cooper) had two of the most angelic voices I have ever heard and I was entranced every time they opened their mouths. I mean they were Broadway actors, but everything was on point. From every costume to every make-up stroke, it was phenomenal. Chills ran up and down my spine on every song and I couldn’t get enough of it.
Basically everyone knows two songs from the show, “For Good” and “Defying Gravity.” Both songs won Tony Awards and the musical itself won “Best Musical.” These two songs are my favorite of all time, and I was bawling my eyes out during that duration they were being performed. It made my heart super happy.
Along with gorgeous music, singing, and acting comes humongous plot twists. In the musical, you find out how the Wicked Witch of the East, the Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion came to be. The biggest plot twist of all is how exactly Dorothy got to Oz. The part in the musical when you find out how she got swept away in the cyclone is utterly the hugest twist I have ever seen in any movie, TV show or musical combined.
This musical was on my bucket list, and I can officially say that I can check it off with confidence. I don’t think that any other actors could have given a better performance, and I can also say that “Wicked” is my favorite musical of all time. I had the best seats in the house and if “Wicked” were to come again, I would be the first to grab a ticket. If the show ever comes to your area, buy a ticket, get excited and prepare yourself to “defy gravity” and become Wicked through and through.
