"LET THE GREEN GIRL GO!" (Wicked The Musical)

Member Name: lozwinter

Product:	Wicked The Musical
Date:	06/01/09 (135 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Once You've seen it, You've been Galindafied!

Disadvantages: You want to go again and again

"It's good to see me, isn't it? No need to answer, that was retorical" (Glinda, Wicked)

Yes. Is the answer in one Word.
Wicked the Musical is my favourite of all the musicals currently running in the London West End and i admit i've seen it a few times and every time it never ceases to amaze me.

"Wicked tells the story of Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West (of Wizard of Oz Fame) and her relationship with Galinda, the Good Witch of the North. Their friendship struggles through their opposing personalities and viewpoints, rivalry over the same love-interest (Fiyero), their reactions to the Wizard's corrupt government, and, ultimately, Elphaba's public fall from grace."
Wicked has broken box office records around the world, holding weekly-gross-takings records in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, St. Louis, and London, and the record for biggest opening in the West End.

The Current London ensemble are nothing but amazing -- Kerry Ellis takes the lead as Elphaba, not just wowing London audiences she has just returned (Dec 2008) from a six month stint on Broadway meaning America has had the pleasure of our leading lady and shes a brilliant representative of what London has to offer Musically. Dianne Pilkington plays Glinda ('the Ga is silent') and placing her against all her predecessors she has to be one of the best -- she encapulates the comedy and heart of Glinda and is dazzling. Oliver Tompsett gives a dashing interpretation of Fiyero, the love interest who later becomes the scarecrow and not only does he have a brill voice, he's not too bad on the eye either. Desmond Barrit (The Wizard), Harriet Thorpe (Madame Morrible) Caroline Keiff (Nessa Rose), Jeremy Legat (Boq) and Andy Mace (Doctor Dillamond) are all brilliant back up to the two leads and are each talents in their own rights.

The Musical is set against a brilliant array of backdrops from Old Shiz to The Emerald City -- each scene with its own specific set and costume changes ;) my favourite HAS to be the ball from the 'Dancing through Life' number which the lighting makes simply magical and the most memorable scene for me. And you can't help but be 'positively emerald' after "One short Day" in the Emerald City.

Best Songs::
- Defying Gravity -- The final song of Act one and the most memorable from the Musical, also known as the song where Elphaba flies for the first time. It's just magnificent - Elphaba and Glinda must choose which path there lives will lead and the song encapsulates it all. As Elphaba puts it "Everyone deserves the chance to fly".
- Popular - not an instant favourite of mine but Glinda truly shines in this number - its funny and witty and has you galindafied. Glinda tells Elphaba how to become popular.
- As Long as You're Mine - Elphaba and Fiyero's love song. Simply done, just the two of them sitting in the rain. Amazing.
- For Good - the height of emotion in the musical - it shows how both Elphaba and Glinda have been changed by their friendship. Elphaba also asks Glinda to forgive her for anything she might have done wrong, to which Glinda replies that there is blame to share, but it does not matter anymore.

Best Lines:

Elphaba: You're the only friend I've ever had.
Glinda: And I've had so many friends... but only one that mattered.

Fiyero: It's not Lying, it's looking in a different way

Glinda: i dont see why u cant just teach us history instead of always harping on the past

Summary: "Caused by a bizarre and unexpected twister of fate."-Glinda