Susan At Between Naps on the Porch is gracious enough to host this event each Monday. And I admit, I know....I'm pushing it. But this is just too good not to share. I've had a lifelong love of "The Wizard of Oz". Remember when it came on just once a year before the days of VCR's, DVD's, Blockbuster, and Netflix? I was that kid transfixed to the tv. I can't begin to tell you how often I've seen it. My favorite song is "Somewhere over the Rainbow" and it took me about a whole minute to decide on a name for this Blog. So, when I started hearing about "Wicked -The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz", the musical, I knew I had to see it. It's advertised as "what happens before Dorothy dropped in" and is based on a novel by Gregory Maguire. It is the background story of Galinda the good witch of the North and Elfaba the future wicked witch of the West. This is the original Glinda played by Billie Burke in the 1939 original.
Here is a picture of the original green wicked witch of the West played by Margaret Hamilton. She still scares me :).
Now fast forward 70 years and take a look at Galinda and Elfaba in 2009! Beloved and I were fortunate enough to have seats on row 15 this afternoon! Both my sons and their girlfriends attended with us. The newlyweds went last week! Love of broadway and showtunes runs in our family!
This musical is a little dark...not the land of rainbows and munchkins but a story of social injustice, romance, and twisted perceptions with a lot of humor thrown in for good measure. The music, scenery, and songs are unbelievable! I have included a video from the Tony awards with a performance by Kristin Chenowith and Idina Menzel. Click on my playlist to stop the regular music (I could NOT figure out how without removing the whole thing)! I hope if you get the chance you'll see this different trip to Oz and you agree with my "thoughtsfromovertherainbow"! Susan is waiting with lots of participants at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/.
I was in NYC this spring, and went to see Mary Poppins although I really wanted to see Wicked...Mary Poppins was absolutely amazing and outstanding, but I still want to go see Wicked!
ReplyDeleteWow! Storylines and looks can sure change with the times, ha? Glad you enjoyed it as a family!
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of that show up here in Canada yet.
ReplyDeleteThe perennial geranium is a true geranium and the annual ones most people buy at the garden centers every summer that are called geraniums are actually pelargoniums.
We loved it!!! Mr. Wonderful took me to Chicago to see it just a bit ago... Have had a life long fascination with the Land of Oz... I enjoyed the twist and as Paul Harvey would say "The Rest of the Story" xoxo~Kathy Up-North
ReplyDeleteThe Wizard of Oz is such a great movie and it is neat that you named your blog after Somewhere over the Rainbow. ( lovely song)
ReplyDeleteSo neat that you could go and enjoy the show Wicked with your family.
thank you for sharing the video.
Enjoy your week
Hugs
Carolyn
Susan, you and I must have grown up during the same time because I used to watch this every year, too. One day my dad brought home a 45 record that had the song, Over the Rainbow on one side and I think I played it until I wore it out! Have you heard the version that I have on my playlist at my blog? It's by an artist whose name I can't begin to spell...but I love it. I have it in the first position right now on the playlist. Still love the Judy Garland version, too! :-) There truly is no place like home...right, girlfriend? :-)
ReplyDeleteSusan
Oh I LOVE it Susan! The Wizard of Oz is one of my all time favorite movies EVER! I've read the book "Wicked" and would definitly want to see this musical someday. I enjoyed the clip.
ReplyDeleteThanks for telling me about the Mandevilla.
I appreciate it.
Have a blessed week.
~Melissa :)
Hi Susan! Oh, I got the opportunity to see this wonderful musical in New York! I just loved it! I too am a big fan of The Wizard of Oz and remember exactly as you said ~ the once a year showing of it! I couldn't wait to see it! This story was quite interesting wasn't it? I even liked The Wiz with Michael Jackson and Diana Ross. Have you seen that?
ReplyDeleteThanks for popping in to see me,
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)
Definately one of my all time favorite movies! Love it! Hopefully we will get a chance to go and see Wicked, I bet it was Great! What a great thing to share with your family!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stoppin by my blog and leaving such a wonderful comment! Hope to see you again!
We saw Wicked in NYC last July...LOVED it!
ReplyDeleteI had friends that went to 'Wicked' and LOVED it! Fun post!
ReplyDeleteSusan,
ReplyDeleteYou have definitely sparked my interest. I have heard of Wicked, but never new what it was about. I will have to see if my library has a copy.
Cathy
Saw Wicked last year with my daughter and mom. We all loved it. I agree that Margaret Hamilton scared me to death. I always had to peak through my fingers when she was on screen. My daughter's graduating class chose Because I Knew You as their class song and all the girls sang it to one another at the Baccalaureate Mass. Now I can't listen to it without bursting into tears!
ReplyDeleteHmmm never heard of this muscial....Denver is a coule of hours away - they do have some arts....
ReplyDeleteI do really move the Wizard of Oz - that music
is great ! Timeless really..... such memories - those monkeys scared the heck out of me !
Hugs ~ Kammy
You really brought back memories with the Wizard of Oz. I remember it was on TV once a year, and that was such a special occasion for me! Thanks for sharing. Amy :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in State College, PA, I used to volunteer as an usher for the Center for the Performing Arts. The Broadway shows would tour before they settled in to their theatre in NYC. I would get to see all the Broadway shows for free. I miss seeing them now.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that witch with the "nose" scared me to pieces when I was young too!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Thanks for a trip to Oz! I love posts about great memories. Thanks so much for your nice comments at grannymountain, come visit often!
ReplyDeletejoy c.
Spot on for MET monday!
ReplyDeleteLike you and Susan -- we must have all grown up during the same time. How scared i was of those darn monkeys!
3 years ago i got the opportunity to go to see Wicked on Broadway and see all the original cast, with Kristin Chenowith and Idina Menzel. Rue MaClanahan (sp?) and Ben Verine -- simply spellbinding. (pun intended) :)
So much to learn from musicals-- One of my favs from the show is "for good" ... I have been changed for good. Whether we let people we come in contact with change us FOR the good... or we are changed for Good! Depends on your perspective.
thanks so much for this great stop today!
TTFN~~Claudia ♥
I would love to see it! It looks fantastic. Oh and thanks for stopping by my place!!
ReplyDeleteI would love to see Wicked.. one of these days... read the book it was interesting.
ReplyDeleteI have heard that the music is wonderful - did you think so? Linda
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. My hubby and I were just talking about it last night and have decided to go to LA and see it!
ReplyDeleteI'm sooo glad you "stumbled" into my blog. Come again!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cutie, that jessie!! cheers, -susan
I loved the musical too. Glad you were able to share the day with your family.
ReplyDeleteJoyce
Hi Susan .. if you think the musical is dark, you should read the book!
ReplyDeleteWizard of Oz, the movie, was an annual broadcast when I was a kid, and it TERRIFIED ME. I am still creeped out by the monkeys.
Cass
One of my daughter's favorite musicals, I hope to get to see it soon. Great transformation!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment! My sister and I really wanted to see Wicked when we were visiting Chicago a few years back, but we waited too long to buy tickets and then it was sold out. It's neat to see how the look of the two witches has changed over the years, while still keeping some of the same characteristics.
ReplyDeleteOne of our favorite movies - although when my daughter was little it scared her - she didn't like those flying monkies! I've been wanting to see Wicked.
ReplyDeleteManuela
Such a nice surprise to receive your comment.. for some reason I couldn't sign in on Google to follow your blog! Our dear Lauralu is special and what a heart wrenching story.. So nice to meet you..I am looking forward to getting to know you better. Hugs, Cindy
ReplyDeleteWonderful post! Thanks for sharing the experience with us.
ReplyDeleteThank you also for the thoughtful comment on my "Delta Dawn" post. Hope your day goes well.
Bill
I think we're around the same age also...my 21 YO middle son still hates those monkeys. ;D And for another 'updated' style of it, rent Tin Man miniseries. FUN!
ReplyDeleteDon't be afraid of the "procedure". I'm sending you this note in between runs to the bath room! If I can do it, so can you. Honestly, dying of colon cancer is something I DO NOT want to do and neither do you! Now, pick up that darned phone and make the call!
ReplyDeletewe haven't got that show here yet!!! Canada waits a little longer!!! It does look wonderful! I have enjoyed my visit to your blog...thanks for the visit to mine!
ReplyDeleteYou're a precious one, Susan! I've entered your name in my giveaway! Thanks for the kind words.
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
No, I haven't had a chance to see it! I would love to, since I grew up with Dorothy. My daughter loved Oz also. I will have to check to see if it will be in our area soon! Thanks! Have a great week!...Debbie
ReplyDeleteSusan, sounds like a good time! Thanks for letting us know about this. If it comes near us, maybe we can see it!
ReplyDeleteXO,
Sheila :-)
Our family went to see Wicked last month! It was absolutely fabulous!!! My favorite song is Defying Gravity too! If you haven't seen it, it's a MUST!!
ReplyDeleteSusan, I was ALMOST there too (The Orpheum?) We were offered tickets, but had to turn them down. So sorry I had to miss it, but I'm glad you got to see it. laurie
ReplyDeleteThe Wicked is one of my favourite musicals. I know all the words by heart so it was nice to remember again in your post. Thanks for bringing back some fond memories about the Wicked . This weekend I’m going to visit my sister and we get pretty good tickets to attend it again so I'll be analyzing as well as enjoying that show.
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