I had to throw that pun in there.I'm finally going to share with you my amazing experience from last Saturday. There is back story to explain first...
I have more than seen Wicked. I was backstage, I was on the stage, I was in the costumes. I was all but in the show. Needless to say, I'm slightly in love with the show now. Moreso, since I was in love with it before that.
You see, my Crohn's disease, for all how much of a pain in the ass it can be, is loaded with perks. And I am never one to keep the door shut when opportunity is knocking...so when I was told I could have a wish granted by A Wish Come True Inc. of Rhode Island, I leapt at the chance and the end of July 2005 and the beginning of August 2005 saw my family in New York City, staying in the fanciest hotel, loaded with cash, and with a backstage tour of Wicked. (And Rent, but that is neither here nor there at the moment...)
Now, it just so happens that Wicked has come to Providence, RI, the hometown of Eugene Lee, the award-winning set designer for the show. In fact, he still lives there. It also so happens that my family is well connected in the theater industry (dear Lord, we are lucky devils sometimes :-P).So we got tickets. Amazing tickets.
Now, knowing that the set is usually
cut back and things often just aren't as good in the touring shows as the Broadway show, we were all a little prepared for it to be not as good as the Broadway show. We weren't going to be disappointed, because we had lower expectations for this performance.It did not meet our expectations.
It wildly exceeded them. The show was the best touring production I have ever seen. The set was nearly exactly the same as the Broadway set (which makes sense, because you know Eugene Lee came to see it and you know he'd throw a diva-fit if his set was wrong :-P), and everything else....it was spectacular. Everything about this touring production was Broadway level.
If you have the chance to see this production while it is in Providence (which means you already bought the tickets :-P) you MUST SEE IT.
5 comments:
Oh yes, I love a great Broadway show. It is even more wonderful when a show seen off Broadway exceeds expectations. I love Rent.
But, you really must come back to my site and rate the swimmers. I don't have enough folks rating them. I don't know if I will have enough ratings to make my analysis on Sunday. I am worrying. Help me!!! Please help me? I am a damsel in distress. Picture me tied to a railroad track and the train is coming. Only you can save me... Too dramatic?
I wont be able to see the show in Rhode Island as im a bit far away but i will definitely keep my eyes open for if it plays elsewhere.
Isnt Rhode Island the smallest state in USA???
Kev in NZ
Just a little dramatic, Sue. :P I'll do what I can, but I gotta run and grab dinner right now.
Kevin, yeah...but sometimes the touring productions go international so make sure you keep your eyes open for it! Wicked has already opened in London and it won't be long before it spreads further!
And, yep, RI is the smallest state in the US. Coincidentally, it also has the longest name. It's full name is "The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations".
Hmmm dont think we will get a glimpse of it here in Aussieland...But I am glad you got to do something you have a passion for...xxx
Graham,
This is SO cool!
I bought Idina Minzel (Elfaba) a drink at a gay bay in Manhattan, but you TOTALLY topped my Wicked story with this blog entry.
Pete's gonna be jealous.; He LOVES Wicked.
Post a Comment