pennywhistle

Yesterday I had what could be described as one of the best days of 2007.

Ever since I saw Wicked last year, I have been dying to see it again. I tried twice to win additional tickets in the lottery last year, but I was unsuccessful at both attempts. So when I heard that Wicked would be coming to Columbus this summer, I started saving money for multiple tickets. I knew I needed to see it more than once!

Yesterday I saw the first two out of three performances I bought tickets for. It was a Wicked awesome day ^_~

eyesofachild went with me for the first performance at 1pm. It was great to be able to spend some time with her again. Our seats for the afternoon performance were in the center of the first row in the balcony. That was great because I could kick my leg out to pop my knee without kicking the person in front of me ^_~ It was further away than I usually like to sit, but I did get a good view of the entire stage and all the lighting elements.

After the first show let out, there was only about an hour and a half before I had to be back for the second show. I went to Johnny Rocket's for lunch (expensive, but damn those are good milkshakes!)

My seat for the 6:30pm show was in the very front row on the left-most seat of the center seats. It was a terrific way to see the show. The actors were SO CLOSE; I could see every facial expression. It was just center enough that I could see the whole stage if I leaned to the right; I feel bad for the people who were more to the left, because they missed anything that was staged in the far left corners.

There were seats a little closer to the center still unclaimed at intermission (even though the show was sold out -- most likely they were unsold scalper tickets) so I moved into one of them and was pretty much front-row center! It was so cool to see the show so close; it was like they were performing just for me ^_^

At the end of the second show, my first thought was "Aww, c'mon guys. One more time?" I'm so glad I bought tickets for three shows!

For both shows Elphaba was played by the standby, Coleen Sexton. She was phenomenal; I really enjoyed her. Fiyero was played by one of the understudies, Kyle McDaniel. I wasn't wild about his performances. He was adequate, but he didn't really "spark" like the guy who played him last year in Cincinnati had. I wouldn't mind seeing Coleen at my final show next Sunday, but I hope Fiyero is played by someone else.

Christina Decicco as Glinda was OUTSTANDING. I love the Glinda character anyway, but she was uberpeppy and her voice was just perfect.

After the show I exited right in front of the stage door, so I stayed to wait for the cast. They were all incredibly friendly despite just having done two shows, and they all had their own sharpies for autographs. I got signatures from Elphaba, Glinda, Boq, Madame Morrible, and Dr. Dillamond on my program. Christina Decicco said this show was her last in Columbus, so I'm glad I got to see her twice! It will definitely be an understudy next week.

I also chatted for a bit with Coleen Sexton's mom, who had flown in from New Jersey to see her daughter as Elphaba. She was a sweet lady, and she was so pleased to hear that I'd seen both shows that day.


ETA: I forgot to mention I also saw Venus and Saturn in the sky while I was driving home. They were the closest they'll be to each other for while this past weekend because they're crossing in their orbits. Very cool!
I drove home on a Wicked high. ^_^ Sometimes I have the best adventures!