Wicked & Other Things...

[kybearfuzz]

After leaving work early yesterday to make an optometrist appointment, I was driving up US 75 when my car started making a very loud noise and I heard something scraping. My muffler had come loose. I was close to my usual mechanic, so I limped my way to the garage. It was 4:30 PM, they were closing in a half hour. After an evaluation of the car, I had to leave it to get it fixed. The garage gave me a $20/day rental, a 1994 Ford Taurus, to get me through the day while they fix mine. I don't like it, but it moves.

I met up with Bob (prisonbitch), Brian (cincycub), and Eric (nonljeric) at the Palomino restaurant downtown along with a host of Brian's friends and neighbors, who are a really fun bunch. I envy the neighborhood Brian lives in. The food was good, despite a mistaking of sugar for cheese incident. I know they have awesome porkshops, per Bob's review.

Everyone made their way to the Aronoff for the Wicked performance. Bob and I ended up getting a green wicked elixir drink from the concession, which was about 90% vodka. We couldn't take them in the theatre, so we had to down them as time was getting close. It was fun to see the first couple of songs performed while being a tad buzzed.

The musical was great. I loved the story, the music, the seemingly continuous shifting sets -- everything. The first half is a bit long timewise, but ends with my favorite "Defying Gravity." I like how the show gives you that different twist on the Wizard of Oz story, not just the pre-Dorothy visit, but during and after the "movie" portion ended. I thought the G-lenda character was hilarious, such a blonde. One of the strong points about the show is that not everyone you see in the movie is what they appear to be. I really enjoyed it.

Big hugs to Brian for organizing the night, he's so good at that. And with Bob, I've been upgraded to hug status. :)

Comments

[cincycub.livejournal.com]

Glad you were able to come! And yes, my neighbors are fantastic - it's very unusual nowadays!

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Sadly, you're right, it's very unusual nowadays. I wish I had known about your neighborhood when I was homebuying, I'd have loved to have moved there.

[spatts5.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear you enjoyed the show. I'm going to see it in May in NY. Would hate to think I spent all that money for a lousy show.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I don't think you'll be disappointed at all. I thought the show was very entertaining.

[tbone1961.livejournal.com]

I just finished reading Son of a Witch, the sequel to Wicked. NOT nearly as good as Wicked. My honey got me the soundtrack for my birthday last year. Of course, I doubt I'll get the opportunity to see a production of the show. But it's good to know if I do, it'll be worth it.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I've not read the book, but now I'm tempted. And you never know, if the show comes close enough, you might be able to snag tickets :)

[tbone1961.livejournal.com]

I'm usually not a fast reader, but I flew thru that one.

I'm kinda thinking Montreal for the show. That'd be the closest and most likely venue.

[mat-t.livejournal.com]

Just so you know, the book and the show have very little in common really. Very different stories. Personally, I didn't really like the book all that much. I LOVE the show though!

[poohnnova.livejournal.com]

hey, btw, I can't remember, did you ever get that copy i sent you?

Hugs

[mat-t.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I did. I thought I thanked you for it already. If I didn't, oops! Sorry! *hugs* Thank you! :)

[prisonbitch.livejournal.com]

a friend at work hated the book but hasn't seen the musical.
we compared plots during lunch and learned that there was very little in common.

[mat-t.livejournal.com]

Yup. I saw the musical before I read the book and I was pretty dissatisfied with the latter.

[daltxfurry.livejournal.com]

Glad you enjoyed the show. You will have to give me a detailed review when you get a chance.

I believe you saw Julia Murney in the role of Elphie.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

You're right, Julia Murney was playing Elphie last night and she was amazing. :)

[daltxfurry.livejournal.com]

While I love Julia (she has done some GREAT Off-Broadway work and been unfortunate in her broadway shows ) Stephanie Block blew me the hell outta the theater. I personally thought she was better than Idina (I have seen Idina do it on a tape and have the recording)

I will have to share the small amount of Stephanie I have from the show at some point

[kenlin.livejournal.com]

Wow I am so glad you saw "Wicked" and it sure sounded like a fun night. I organized a night with 3 of my closest friends but ended up having to cancel because my work sent me on a trip... so I ended up going alone but had an amazing time. They only did a 6 week run here in LA.

Who played the leads? I have been finding clips of this Eden Espinoza and she's AMAZING. Our Elphaba was Stephanie Brock and I met her after the show and she was so lovely.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Our leads were Kendra Kassebaum as Glenda and Julia Murney as Elphaba. I thought they did amazing jobs, but I don't know any of the other actresses who have been in the roles except the original Broadway cast. :)

[kenlin.livejournal.com]

I just very recently saw Kirsten in concert and she hinted that Alanis Morrissette was going to play Elphaba.... and she said she would reprise her role if it works out... maybe the movie version? I dunno.... the two sang "For Good" and it was sort of weird.

[divos-voids.livejournal.com]

yippee....another WICKED fan!

we had the pleasure of seeing Idina and Kristin in their original roles...with the original cast in NYC a couple of years ago. We had unbelievable seats, and it was such a great experience to see it. I had bought the tickets for my honey's birthday...and despite my intention of keeping it a surprise until we got there, I had to share. I was listening to the cast recording in the car, and had to share.

We also saw it here in LA a while back. And possibly a third time when it plays in Orange County.

I have also bought the book, and SON of a WITCH, but have yet to start reading either. In time.

Have a great day/weekend, Mark. Hugs!

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I envy you seeing the original cast. I wold love to see it again, but it's just not in the cards right now. Though a coworker of mine was in the audience last night and now a lot of folks in the office want to see it after hearing us talk about it.

[ciddyguy.livejournal.com]

The garage gave me a $20/day rental, a 1994 Ford Taurus, to get me through the day while they fix mine. I don't like it, but it moves.

This comment had me giggling earlier. However I know where of you speak with some cars.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

LOL.. beggars can't be choosers...

[ciddyguy.livejournal.com]

I know but still, it was how you phrased it that had me giggling. :-)

[poohnnova.livejournal.com]

I have a bootleg of the original cast if your interested. AMAZING show. I converted it so it plays on any DVD player. I also have the audio of the entire show in MP3 format.

The boot is a boot but as I have many shows htis way, this has to be one of the better ones I have and the sound quality is amazing.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Oh, I think I'd like to have seen the original cast. :)

[poohnnova.livejournal.com]

I saw it with original cast once, with Taye Diggs as Fieyro and then saw it with the replacement wizard. (the ladies were the same in each of these) and then saw it with Ms. Bean right before Kristin left. And then saw it twice while it was here in DC... nah, I don't like this show ;)

[prisonbitch.livejournal.com]

i thought that green elixir was more 99% vodka!

and after 2 pints of Bass, I had a bit of a buzz during the first act.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

LOL.. well, I said 90% as there had to be some room for the green stuff and that "splash" of soda she added.

I have a low alcohol tolerance, so I was buzzing a bit myself.