Wicked

So Much Happened Long Before Dorothy Dropped In: Long before that girl from Kansas arrives in Munchkinland, two girls meet in the land of Oz. One - born with emerald green skin - is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. How these two grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch makes for “the most completely satisfying new musical in a long time” (USA Today). Something WICKED was in Louisville. So on Friday night we all strapped in the van and headed west to check it out. We left the kids at the Underwood's with two babysitters and headed with Zane and Traci to the city- maybe even the Emerald City since various building just happened to be lit up green. Interesting.Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts- Whitney HallDowntown LouisvilleZane, Traci and RichThe Underwoods: Zane & Traci, The O'Briens: Vicki & Rusty, The Mortensons: Jeff & Melissa, The Jacksons: Cheryl & RichIt was so much fun to spend the night with some of my best friends.Melissa, Kari and JeffWhile we loved every minute of the play, the kids enjoyed every second spending it with their best friends too!!! Thanks Melissa for offering us the tickets and thanks Traci for getting the sitters and letting the kids destroy your home!

Our Elphaba- Donna Vivino. Photos from donnavivino.com. These are the real actors we saw in Louisville. Madame Morrible: Myra Lucretia Taylor. Glinda: Katie Rose ClarkeWicked is my favorite Broadway play- and I've seen and heard my fair share. I love the clever dialog, the humor, the costumes and melodies, but most of all I love the story of love and friendship it tells. I saw Wicked with my Mom in Chicago in October 2007. I was touched and moved by the message I discovered. I loved finally seeing it with Rich and letting him enjoy this fantastic play about sacrifice, hope and love. Here are some of the lyrics to my favorite song. I would often sing it to my babies when I rocked them to sleep. I think it is lovely.

For Good

(Elphaba): I'm limited

Just look at me -

I'm limited

And just look at you

You can do all I couldn't do, Glinda

So now it's up to you

For both of us - now it's up to you...

(Glinda): I've heard it said

Tat people come into our lives for a reason

Bringing something we must learn

And we are led

To those who help us most to grow

If we let them

And we help them in return

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true

But I know I'm who I am today

Because I knew you...

Like a comet pulled from orbit

As it passes a sun

Like a stream that meets a boulder

Halfway through the wood

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But because I knew you I have been changed for good

(Elphaba): It well may be

That we will never meet again

In this lifetime

So let me say before we part

So much of me

Is made of what I learned from you

You'll be with me

Like a handprint on my heart

And now whatever way our stories end

I know you have re-written mine

By being my friend...

Like a ship blown from its mooring

By a wind off the sea

Like a seed dropped by a skybird

In a distant wood

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But because I knew you

(Glinda): Because I knew you

(Both): I have been changed for good