The performance of Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre, as directed by Joe Mantello, is two and a half hours of sheer delight! This Broadway musical is the story of The Wizard of Oz told from the point of view of Elphaba, who is the future Wicked Witch of the West. The play begins with her death and then tells the story of her life through animated flashbacks. The musical focused mainly on the developing friendship between Elphaba, who became the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, who became the Good Witch of the North. Elphaba’s true character is revealed especially when she is teased, sometimes quite cruelly throughout the whole play. And yet, the storyline is ultimately an uplifting performance.
At first, when Elphaba and Glinda met at school, they did not like each other. Glinda was the stereotypical pretty, blonde and popular girl, and Elphaba had dark hair and emerald green skin. Although not by choice, Glinda and Elphaba became roommates, and to their surprise, they started liking each other despite their differences. They formed a special friendship based on the fact that they understood each other. Together they went to the Emerald City to see the Wizard, who offered them positions to work for him as his assistants. Glinda and Elphaba each had to make the hard decision whether they should take the job. Even though Glinda decided to stay and work for the Wizard, Elphaba decided to take a separate path. Even so, they still remained friends.
The songs really drew me into the play, especially when Elphaba sang. I felt a connection to her because she was different from everybody in her school. Elphaba and I can relate because we both have physical challenges that make us somewhat different than most people around us: Elphaba had green skin; I have to use a wheelchair for mobility. Her appearance made it hard for her to make friends and she was often teased. Although I have the good fortune of having many wonderful friends, when meeting new people, they often see the wheelchair instead of me. In the beginning, it is always hard for me because people stare at me. Despite our differences from others around us, Elphaba and I actually share the same experiences that everyone else has.
Like Elphaba, I befriended a girl named Janet even though we were different. She is able to walk, and I’m in a wheel chair. When we first met, we clicked, despite our differences. When we were in school we would do almost everything together, like taking the same classes, cracking jokes and laughing together. This friendship was not like any other because she was always there for me, and I was there for her. She knew me better than anyone else. She was one of the people that I told my secrets to. Over the years our friendship grew.
While our physical differences did not affect our long lasting friendship, like Glinda and Elphaba, Janet and I chose to take separate paths. Many of you reading this may feel the same way; that you had childhood friends that you had to part from in order to move on with your life; in my case it was going on to Stern while she did not join me. Janet and I used to speak to each other every day, but now that we are on different schedules it makes it harder to do that. Glinda and Elphaba’s paths never crossed again, but Janet and I still speak to each other, though not as often as we would like. While I’ve made many new friends here at Stern, there are times that I feel like I’m losing Janet, like when Glinda loses Elphaba at the end of the play. But the truth is, Janet and I will remain lifelong friends.
I definitely recommend Wicked – the storyline, costumes, sets, lighting, music and performances were fantastic. The aspect that touched me most deeply was the way it reminded me of how some friendship are built and truly last, even between different people. Seeing the play motivated me to call and tell her that I miss her. I really encourage many of you to go out and see the production of Wicked and have your own great experience.