July 28, 2006

• Defying Gravity

  I know you’re all dying to know how Wicked was. Yes, it was
  awesome. You should beg, borrow, or steal to get tickets. The music is superb,
  the acting was fantastic, the sets and lights were amazing, and it IS the best
  musical I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen quite a few of them…
  Yes, it’s better than The Phantom of the Opera
  Yes, it’s better than Les Miserables
  Yes, it’s better than Miss Saigon, and Rent, and The
  Producers, and Movin’ Out. It’s better than anything else out there. It was
  amazing, and it’s sold out everywhere. However, I heard that they just signed a
  contract with The Pantages Theater in Hollywood
  to do a 5-year run, so don’t be too disappointed if you can’t see it right now.

  –Funny side story: Paul Plunk (the Music Director at Midway
  before me) stopped by the church one time and was talking to Chuck and I about
  stuff. His whole family are Broadway fanatics—acting, singing, drama, all of
  that stuff—and he was talking about Wicked. He was saying it was going to be
  the next big thing and everybody is going to see it, etc…etc…etc.. And I just
  remember thinking to myself, “Yeah right, buddy—stop trying to impress us with
  your fancy, schmancy Broadway knowledge”. Obviously, I was wrong—in more ways
  than one. Wicked is the big thing now, and my attitude was out of line as well…

  I guess I can’t say a whole lot more than that right now
  about Wicked. It is a very complex show, and it really moved along. I was never
  bored or not completely engaged in what was going on. It was also hilarious. I
  mean, it really has the whole package—and that is rare.

  Just a quick note though, go see it before too long. Kristen
  Chenowith and Idina Menzel played Glinda and Elphaba on Broadway (respectively)
  and there are others playing those roles now. But here’s the deal, if you wait
  five or ten years, you’ll eventually see if with a stupid, washed up pop-star
  in the lead like when we saw RENT with a Spice Girl playing the lead girl role.
  She was awful. SO if you wait too long you might see Jessica Simpson or Britney
  Spears playing Glinda, and I guarantee
  that would be disaster.

   

  In other news, I get to play piano at the church I grew up
  in this weekend while we’re visiting my family. I can’t wait! We’re also going
  to sing with my sister, who is leading worship that weekend. It’s totally going
  to be fun…

  • 1:40 pm
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