Broadway

As some of you may know, earlier this year, I crossed a big item off my bucket list. For my whole life I have wanted to see a show on Broadway, and, in recent years, it just had to be Wicked. So, on a frigid weekend in February, I found myself in New York City with the singular goal of taking in all the sights and sounds, essentially to have "one short day," in the Emerald City. The show was amazing. In absolutely every way, from start to finish. The actors. The costumes. The music. Everything was on point. The reward far outweighed the $110 price tag. In fact, on just about any day, I feel very certain I'd drop what I was doing and tag along with someone to the theater. There is something so very special about theater, musical theater in particular. For 2.25 hours, plus an intermission, you get to be somewhere else. You get to BE someone else. This is the part I love the most. Identifying yourself in the story of another. Many times I have made the statement that Broadway is the music of our lives. It is powerful, agonizing, breathtaking, and achingly, beautiful. If we are honest, this summarizes life. We encounter all these moments in an allotted span of days, months, or years; and, for a small sum the writers of plays nicely package this jumble of experiences and take you on an emotionally charged ride, upon which you disembark in the same condition that I hope to be when I am set to leave this world, spent, yet grateful for the journey.

Wicked is my play of choice for I greatly identify with Elphaba. I want to be her. I hope I am her. Through choices that were not her own, she often found herself in uncomfortable positions. She had every reason to be bitter about her lot in life, but, though she is flawed, she is kind-hearted. She wrestles with her past as do I. Underneath the ridicule she endures, in the quiet places of her heart, she is powerful. Strong in the face of injustice. No compromising who she knows herself to be. Quite simply. She learned to defy gravity. Of course, she also learns that life does not always turn out as expected, but the friendship she was fortunate to have forged has forever changed her, and though they part, it will remain a blessing for life. Elphaba is an extraordinary character. Flawed. Strong. Loved. Phenomenal.

I get so absolutely wrapped up in every performance I view. Frankly, I almost prefer to go alone because I can't have people along ruining it for me. You know, asking questions, laughing at inappropriate times, talking, leaving to use the facilities. Seriously. You got to sit down, shut up and leave me alone for the duration. From the time the curtain opens to the last encore, my heart is completely and utterly invested. That being said, Wicked is coming to the local theater next Spring and I am definitely going. I'll invite you along, but only, I mean ONLY, so that you can, without comment, dispense the necessary tissues, and, of course, applaud my vocal range. Oh. Yeah. And take me out for pie.