This post is brought to you in partnership with Broadway in Portland. I received complimentary tickets to facilitate my post. Opinions are my own.
When you think about Wicked – the witches likely come to mind. Maybe Oz. Green skin. Popularity. Bubble travel. Flying monkeys. And yes, it’s all of those things. And yes – it’s the quintessential Broadway experience. (And in my opinion, an absolute must-see for any theater fan.) But it’s so much more than munchkins and wizards. And it’s more than the story of two unlikely friends. And, it’s also not just a backstory. It’s our story.
Glinda, Elphaba, and the people and creatures of Oz aren’t so unlike you and me. Sure, we don’t live in a magical land or traverse through life on bubbles or brooms, but each of us faces the struggle between what is easy and what is right. And like Glinda and Elphaba, each of us must work to confront the reality that we are SO much more than what other people think of us. We are more than any image or facade we present (no matter how green, or bubbly, or same or different that facade is.)
And like the people and creatures of Oz – everyday we’re faced with choices . We can speak out and speak up – or we can allow discouragement to take our voice. (Thank you Kingsley Leggs as Doctor Dillamond for that beautiful reminder.) We can allow lies and misinformation to spread like wildfire or we can stand for truth. We can allow the lure of being thought of as “wonderful” cause us to give in to people-pleasing – until who we are is nothing more than smoke and mirrors. (Thank you Blake Hammond for your portrayal of The Wizard.)
Ultimately, we all have to choose. Will we stand with the crowd or stand in our conviction? Will we stand in our purpose or fold under the pressures of conformity? Will we dare to defy gravity?
The company of Wicked (the 4th longest running show in Broadway history and winner of over 100 international awards!) was perfectly cast – and each amazingly talented member of this group absolutely sparkled on stage. Austen Danielle Bohmer as Glinda and Lauren Samuels as Elphaba were the on-stage duo Broadway dreams are made of. Using a beautiful blend of humor and authenticity (not to mention flawless timing), these two not only brilliantly brought these complex women to life, but through their performance were able to connect with the audience in a deeply powerful way.
Thank you for the wonderfully poignant reminder that we are more than what we seem, capable of more than we’re often given credit for, and that unexpected magic can happen when we choose what we believe over what is easy.
I was brought to tears watching Lauren Samuels as she depicted Elphaba feeling seen for the first time. Watching Lauren as Elphaba ignite with hope and the realization of her inherent worth – was pure magic.
During a dance number featuring the ensemble players, I was mesmerized by their palpable JOY. It felt like a gift to watch them dance. It was so clear each person on stage was doing something they loved, and their passion for their craft was clear. Their talent? Unlimited. I am so thankful for each of their performances.
As a parent, there’s nothing quite so thrillifying (😉 ) as watching your child come alive. As the curtain closed for intermission, my daughter looked at me with tears in her eyes and goosebumps up and down her arms and said, “I am SO glad you took me to see this.” (I dare you to witness Elphaba sing Defying Gravity live and not feel something!) My girl hasn’t been able to talk about anything else since last night. The theater bug bit her – and I do believe she has been changed for good.
Wicked will be in Portland at the Keller Auditorium through November 3rd, however remaining tickets are understandably limited. Any remaining tickets can be found HERE. (But seriously – go if you can. You and these tickets deserve each other. 😊 )
Didn’t get tickets to Wicked this time? There are some INCREDIBLE shows headed to Portland for the ’24/’25 Broadway season!! (There are SO many phenomenal shows this season. I cannot wait!!) The ’24/’25 season brings extraordinary entertainment with a collection of highly anticipated touring productions direct from Broadway in addition to some returning crowd-pleasing favorites. (You are NOT going to want to miss out!)
The next play headed to the Keller Auditorium will be Kimberly Akimbo (winner of FIVE Tony Awards including Best Musical!) If you’re excited for this Portland debut, you can find out more by clicking HERE.
