Champagne and Socks

Last Sunday night, C and I went with my uncle to see Wicked. We booked the tickets like 6 months ago and at the time, I was all, “You sure? That’s like soooo far in the future.” And C said, “We’ll still be together in June.” And so we are. In fact, I had spent the weekend manically packing up my entire house. He spent it studying for an exam, among other things. And then, since his birthday was Monday (and Tuesday his exam), he also fitted in some family birthday things. So it was that I rushed to Wicked running very late, having gotten caught up trying to get everything done for the movers first thing Monday, to find C and my uncle mingling with C’s family, waiting for me. And I didn’t even notice who everyone was, such was I so frazzled. Guess that’s one introduction done.

And so we went inside and watched the musical. I’ll be honest, I thought it was kinda meh. And having just seen Cats for the first time last year and also thinking it “meh”, I’m starting to get depressed by contemorary musicals. They’re just not … good. I found the plot of Wicked to be thin on the ground and not worthy of two freaking Acts. There were only two songs I actually thought were good, and memorable, and not just dialogue set to very ordinary and not at all unique music. I thought there was a lot that was derivative of Legally Blonde, among other works. I got a bit bored.

BUT! I loved the costuming. That was fantastic. The staging was also outstanding. The Emerald City bits were awesome. And the thing that in the end sold the whole experience for me, only hit me in the curtain call, when the two leads came out for their bow and I realised the two leads were female. And that I can’t remember the last time I saw two women come out like that (I guess probably Chicago?). Anyway, it’s not often that the leads are both female and for that I did cheer. And you know, have to acknowledge that the whole show is about two women and their relationship. And that’s a pretty cool thing.