My best friend Jaygee is currently living in New York, auditioning for musicals and living the life of a struggling actress. One of my favorite things about New York City is Broadway. There is nothing better than going out to dinner, running out to see a musical on Broadway and having dessert afterwards. One of the first things Jaygee did when she was out there was see the musical 'Wicked', which is a twist on the 'The Wizard of Oz'. It gives the background story of the the Wicked Witch, and tells the tale from her side.

She called me after watching it, telling me how much she loved the musical, and how she came to an epiphany.

"Christine, I realized that you have to see this musical!" she said.

"Why?"

"Because she's you!"

"Who is?"

"The main character!"

"You mean the Wicked Witch of the West? She's me? You're saying I'm a wicked witch?"

"No, her character is different. And I'm not saying you're evil, but you're like her."

It was pretty interesting coming from one of the few people on this planet who actually KNOWS me and understands me. Me? Wicked?

"Thanks. Thanks a lot."

"No, you have to see the musical. Then you'll understand. She's not evil, she's just misunderstood. She has gone through her life just trying to have people see her way, filled with so much passion, so many dreams, so many ideas, but it never works out for her. She's always in the shadows, always helping out other people that she never gets to be the one that shines. She has no idea how powerful she really is."

Hmm. When you put it that way, it doesn't sound too bad. Maybe I don't mind being wicked at all.

"Ahh...um, ok. I guess that's ok then."

"Just see it when you get a chance. I know you'll love it!"

Since I'm not in New York, I can't see the play. But it is coming to Chicago later this year, and you KNOW I'll be first in line to see it (and screw setting up one of those group outings people, I suck at that - remember 'Spamalot'?). I did go out and buy the book, though. I've read Gregory Maguire's other book 'Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister' and I had loved it, and 'Wicked:The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West' had always been on my list to read.

So I read it. And I loved it. I loved how we see life through the eyes of the Wicked Witch, how there are injustices that we don't see in the movie (of course it's all fiction). Though I admit, I read most of the book thinking, 'Jaygee thinks that I'm like Elphaba? (the name of the Wicked Witch in the book)' Sure, maybe there are some similarities, though I wasn't born green and don't try biting people's fingers off. Fine. That last part is a lie. But there are some parallels in our ways of thinking, in our thoughts, how other people perceive us. But still, it's a bit weird.

Then again, I've heard that the musical is different from the novel, and looking at the photos from the musical, it looks like it. Has anyone seen both? Is the musical different?

Am I really wicked?

I don't think so.

*rides away on her broom with her flying monkeys*

Posted by Yano at January 27, 2005 07:18 AM

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