my sweet old etcetera: wicked

I saw the musical Wicked last night for the very first time, and I absolutely adored it. I'm a fan of the book by Gregory Maguire upon which it's based, and I think that's what made me hesitant for so long as far as seeing the musical -- I wasn't sure how it would measure up to the book. But my suspicions, happily, were unfounded.

If you're unfamiliar with "Wicked," it's a retelling of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, with a twist -- the story is told from the Wicked Witch of the West's perspective, and in this version she's not the villain... the Wizard of Oz is. The musical takes the central premise and kicks it up a notch or five, adding infectious melodies and stunning set designs and costumes. But what stays with you long after you've seen "Wicked" isn't the music or the costumes, it's the story.

I read a review about the film that sums it up pretty nicely:

"Wicked works because it has something Broadway musicals, so addicted to facetiousness and camp, have largely given up on: a story that adults can take seriously ... If every musical had a brain, a heart, and the courage of Wicked, Broadway really would be a magical place."

- Richard Zoglin, Time magazine

I have not always been a fan of musicals because of their so-called "facetiousness and camp," but "Wicked" is the type of musical I really love. If the story's not there, then neither am I, and the story is definitely there in "Wicked." It has everything you want in a story -- comedy, suspense, love, and a satisfying resolution.

With all that being said, I'm still a fan of the music in "Wicked," especially the songs "Popular" and "Defying Gravity." In case you've never heard them before and would like a sneak peek of the musical, I'm including them below:

Popular

Defying Gravity

If you want to learn more about the musical, click on the picture above -- it will take you to its official site which is full of neat goodies like behind-the-scenes clips, pictures, timelines, and more.

Have you seen "Wicked" before? If so, what are your favorite songs? Let me know in the comments!

P.S.) I decided to change my blog name from "I blog, therefore I am" to this new name, "my sweet old etcetera." Can you guess where I got it from?? ;)

Today is officially the first day of Spring. (Cue sunshine and chirping birds.) I for one hope this means we'll finally start getting some warmer weather down here in Miami. I don't think I'm asking for much. What am I doing to celebrate the fact that Spring has finally sprung? I'm going to see the musical "Wicked" tonight with Ricky and some friends from work! I'm so, so excited. :-)

Wednesday's St. Patty's Day celebration was only okay. We went to a bar that had an outside street party going on. Ironically, the weather was colder than the beer, which doesn't happen often in Miami during March. But at least the beer was Guinness, so that made me happy. When I couldn't take the cold anymore, Ricky and I went to my new favorite burger joint, Five Guys. Best. Cheeseburgers. Ever. And their fries are pretty good, too.

On Thursday I watched Ricky play some of the new "God of War" game, which is amazing. And yesterday we went to a happy hour thing with my faculty at this pseudo Tex-Mex restaurant/bar. The food was okay but the strawberry margaritas were good.

And now I'm off to clean my room, which looks like a tornado hit it, and maybe grade a pile of essays. Or not. The weather's simply too pretty today to stay cooped up indoors. Hm, maybe I'll grade them outside...?

Have a fabulous weekend! I hope your first day of Spring is wonderful, wherever you are. :-)