It only took a few years, but we finally saw "Wicked" at the Pantages
Theatre last night and it was worth every penny and the wait.
Walter outside the Pantages Theatre before the show
Walter
and I have talked about seeing this show forever, including having me
go down to Hollywood at noon to enter the $25/seat lottery once I got
laid off and had time to do that.
But there always seemed to be
something seemingly more important to spend the time or money on.
Granted, sometimes you do have to put expenses for plumbing, car
repairs, medical procedures, food, GAS, etc. first. However, when Gold
Star Events offered orchestra section seats for 30% off ($60) I broke
into my rainy day piggy bank without thinking twice.
Reason 1:
Because I'm just not willing to die one day without having seen this
show live, having heard the album and seen tidbits of it on television
and You Tube. The music is sublime and the story is relevant on
literary, political and social levels, and that doesn't come along very
often.
Reason 2: Life has been challenging in the past year
for one reason or another, and in the process we've been in need of
just going out and having FUN together in a splurgy kind of way,
because we're worth it.
Anyway, the cast included the fabulous
Jo Anne Worley as Madame Morrible and John Rubenstein as the Wizard of
Oz. Hometown talent Erin Mackey (Glinda) and Teal Wicks (Elphaba) were
outstanding, every bit as wonderful as the original Broadway cast.
Every cast member really did a wonderful job in their roles.
So,
YAY, I can now cross "Wicked" off my to-do wish list, although I'm not
opposed to penciling it back in again with an asterick about trying to
land some $25 seats.
On the downside, concessions are VERY
expensive, so if I went again I'd bring my own water bottle and candy
from the 99 Cent Store -- the theatre charges $4/each -- maybe having a
drink elsewhere before the show. We sampled the $9 margaritas and they
weren't all that great, although the bartender was very personable.
Souvenirs? Forget it. Way overpriced. The CD was something like $28,
I got it for half that price at Target and it's even less expensive
online.
Discount tickets for performances are still available from Gold Star Events - click here for more information.
