Defying Gravity

Tyler and I are headed to The Fabulous Fox Theater tonight, to see Wicked with our friends Brenda and Jo. This is the second time I'll be seeing it and I'm super excited. It's an amazing show. Does anyone else get choked up when they watch a really amazing play/musical even when it's not sad? No? Yeah, me neither.

The first time I saw it was in NYC with the original Broadway cast. My sweet husband surprised me with tickets. I don't know how he knew I wanted to see it so badly. It couldn't have been because I had been obsessively looking for tickets for months before we went to New York. And it definitely couldn't have been because I kept complaining that they were sold out and that the only tickets I could find were outrageously expensive. I think I shrieked in our hotel room when he told me he had gotten them. Maybe I cried a little. It's all a blur. Score one (or maybe a few more) for Tyler.

It was amazing on Broadway and I have no doubt it will be amazing here at the Fox. Also, I just love going to the Fox. It's such a cool venue - it used to be a mosque and it is beautiful. And not a bad seat in the house.

Side note: I've also read the book by Gregory Maguire. I recommend the musical. Which is odd, because I most always think the book is a thousand times better than the movie, musical, etc. This book was HARD to get through though. It was certainly compelling and interesting, but a little hard to follow and honestly, kind of disturbing. Read it and see for yourself though!

Now, I'm off to see the Wizard...

Godspell

If you haven't seen this play/musical and it ever comes to a city near you, I highly recommend it. I went to see it with some friends this week, not knowing what to expect from a musical taken primarily from the Gospel of Matthew. It was simultaneously funny, touching, and quirky. It gives a refreshing perspective on the gospel and has some great, catchy musical numbers in it. And I laughed out loud multiple times during it - always a bonus.

Warning: They do come into the aisles and interact with the audience, so if you have a fear of being pulled out of the crowd, sit in the middle, not on the aisles. Otherwise, you'll be busting a move with some cast members.

Here's what you shouldn't do if you go see it:

• Sing along with every song you know, so the person sitting next to you is not only treated to the cast's wonderfully rehearsed version, but also your high pitched, warbling, off-key version as well. In the words of American Idol's Randy Jackson, "It was a little pitchy dawg, and you did NOT work out in the end."
  

It's like I was listening to two different shows at once. I mean, I'm glad this lady was a such a fan of the show, but let the people around you enjoy it too. Not only was she singing, she was also swaying side to side, with not much regard for personal space.

Moral of the story: If you go see a musical, no matter how much you want to belt out your favorite songs, just don't. Buy the soundtrack and sing at the top of your lungs in your car. More power to ya.