Wicked!

Tonight Chris and I went with Gene and Mary to see Wicked.  The show was awesome!!  Not quite as exciting as the first time I saw it 2 years ago - when I was obsessed with the soundtrack - but still amazing.  I was very impressed with Elphaba, but Glinda wasn't as good as the last time and no one will ever touch Kristen Chenoweth (not that I was fortunate to actually see her do it, just watched her performances on YouTube, see below. And I love her on Glee).  

I think the other reason I didn't enjoy it in quite the same way is because I recently read Gregory Maguire's novel on which the musical was based.  The book and the musical share character names and general similarities, but the book is much darker and more complicated.  So I kept finding myself thinking about the differences between the book and the musical and thinking how much simpler the musical is.  I have to say though that I don't think I could have gotten into the book without my pre-existing devotion to the characters from loving the musical. 

The first act is so much fun and ends with my favorite song - Defying Gravity (which has also been on Glee).  My problem with the second act is the song "As Long as Your Mine".  It is just awkward and I don't enjoy it.  I do think Lady Gaga may have had some inspiration from the Emerald City Wizomania costumes:

Great music, great show, great night!