*This article may include spoilers for the film of “Wicked: For Good”*
I have never been a theater kid. I think it was the way I was raised, but up until last year, I had no interest in seeing plays or musicals, whether they were from my high school or on Broadway. Last year, I went to my first show on Broadway, “The Last Five Years”, and simply went because Nick Jonas was starring in it, and I found him attractive. That was not a good show. At all. In my opinion, the plot could have been much better had they used better pacing, better transitions and more than 2 actors. But we’re not here to discuss that, I’m here to talk about the now and my newest obsession. Last year, I took a chance on the Wicked movie, solely because I loved Ariana Grande. And I loved it. For the past year, I couldn’t wait for the second movie to come out and although I haven’t seen it yet, I now know the end. Prior to watching the movie, I had no prior knowledge of Wicked or the plot. So, last week when I saw the musical on Broadway, the whole second act was a complete surprise to me. And may I say, jaw-dropping. You would think having the second movie spoiled for me would make me not want to see it anymore, but that’s all I want to do now. So, let me get into how this show was for someone who basically went in blind.
I arrived at Gershwin Theatre a little under an hour before the show. I thought that I was running behind, but when I got there the line wrapped around the block. When I got in, I was welcomed with a gorgeous lobby area. Each floor was equally as stunning. Once I got to my seat, I sat and got comfortable. I bought these tickets through my school’s concierge, where they sold the tickets for $50. Our student seats were in the very top and very last row, and this was a very smart decision that will be later discussed. However, despite being the furthest from the stage, it wasn’t that bad of a view. You could see everything from up there, the entire set. Not only sights, but you could hear everything well too! The acoustics were everything at that theater. In my show, the actress who played Glinda was the standby actress, and she killed it. The entire first act I pretty much knew from the movie already but was really good. The talent these actors have is really astonishing. However, one thing I noticed which I shouldn’t have been so surprised by given the movie problem was dramatized and extended key scenes, but the musical was more shortened and quicker than I was expecting. It felt like we got from the beginning to end of Act 1 really quick, with the second act feeling even shorter. Regardless, it was a really good first act. As the intermission started, so did my anticipation for the second act. I have never heard or seen any spoilers or anything related to what the second act entailed, so I was truly going into this blind and excited to see what happened next. And let me add, it was not what I expected. One thing I never expected from Wicked was how messy it truly is. For starters, after Act 1, I did NOT like Glinda. I thought that despite her efforts of trying to be the center of attention (which I thought was corny), she was a follower at heart (equally as corny to me). Secondly, I thought that she was lowkey fake in not supporting/following Elphaba when she confronted the Wizard of Oz in his personal fallacies and evil intentions and wanted to leave to save the animals from losing their voices and freedom. However, in the second half, Elphaba and Fiero getting together while he was about to marry Glinda is beyond fake and honestly so disrespectful on both Fiero and Elphaba’s end. There should be no reason I feel sorry for the person I didn’t like, yet they managed to make it happen. I understand Fiero didn’t truly like Glinda and she wasn’t that genuine of a person, but then don’t pursue a relationship with her and lead her on. That’s just wrong. And after that, I lost so much respect for Elphaba for breaking Girl Code. Mind you, when witnessing this live in theater, my jaw was on the floor, I was speechless for the entire scene and genuinely gasping as it was going on. As I mentioned, the school was very smart, placing all of us in the very back, as some of my peers were much more vocal about their opinions and reactions than I was. Even to the point where one of my friends loudly made a comment and the entire theater laughed in response. From that, to Glinda forgiving her and them reuniting, I was so taken aback. And then we found out that Nessa was the real Wicked one? Crazy, I would’ve NEVER expected that. I didn’t even think she was a significant character, yet she enslaved the munchkins so that she wouldn’t be lonely? Evil, just evil. And then KILLED Boq and blamed Elphaba for bringing him back to life as well as she could? After she begged her to save him? I was truly so shocked by the turnaround in her character and was speechless this entire act. Finally, I found it so sad how Fiero and Elphaba faked their deaths, and no one told Glinda after she forgave them both. She is stuck grieving her ex-fiancee and best friend; meanwhile, they aren’t even dead. The turns in the plot during the second act, despite being the shorter act, truly was a rollercoaster.
I don’t know how to describe how I feel about this play in all, the plot was so complex, crazy and moving, the acting and vocals were out of this world, and how I felt while watching was truly an edge of the seat experience. There aren’t specific words to describe the feeling, but if I could watch the musical for the first time again, I would do it in a heartbeat. I never thought I would enjoy a musical as much as I did, but I am obsessed and in love. I can’t wait to see the second movie, I can’t stop singing the soundtrack and all I want to do is watch more musicals. I know this musical is one of the most iconic musicals, so it’s no surprise that it was this good, but this truly turned everything around for me as far as theater and Broadway goes. And now, I truly appreciate the hard work and writing that goes into such successful plays and musicals. If you’re ever on Broadway, I would HIGHLY recommend watching this musical. Or honestly, recommend watching any play or musical without prior knowledge of the plot. I can’t wait to see what I see next, but more importantly to just experience seeing such a great show again.