I saw my very first show as a birthday guest to one of four kids I was nannying. Ellis turned 8 (the "I can see Broadway shows" age) and was allowed to invite 2 friends to see Hairspray. I was one of those lucky "friends" and was hooked from there on out.
Wicked is one of the hottest shows on Broadway, and the most expensive and difficult to see (it's notoriously sold out). Thankfully there is the Lottery for those willing to try their luck at gambling and win front row seats for $25. It took me SEVEN weeks in a row to win tickets (about 150 people play for 30 tickets for every show) and then I was so depressed after the show that I vowed never to see it again. And then I did when my best friend Phillip came (and we won the lotto), and liked it more. And again when my amazing cousin/BFF came (with tickets that cost more than her car payment), and I loved it even more. She too was depressed for the next month. By then I had learned, and could pass on, that the beauty and charm of it cannot be appreciated immediately but needs to settle in. And then you love it! The Wizard of Oz is never the same, but the show will transform you and stay with you and keep you coming back for more.
I just went back for my 5th time, this time with a trip BACKSTAGE!!!!
A trip backstage to Wicked is like winning a golden ticket. It's all about who you know, and I know Karine. My wonderful side-kick in all things child-care related Mon-Fri and a magnificent friend during the off hours. Her boss knows a cast member in the Ensemble (Alex Quiroga) and put Karine in touch with him. He offered to get us prime seats and give us a tour after the show! It was Karine's first time seeing the show and she loved it!
Afterwards we went to the Stage Door to meet Alex and I got to meet "Fiyero" (played by Aaron Tveit who I also saw play Link Larkin in Hairspary!). He is the epitome of "FINE". I know it's very Highschool to say so, but there's just no other way to sum up how weak in the knees his good looks make me.
I also met my favorite Ensemble member (and Idol alum) Katie Webber. LOVE that girl. Total sweetheart. Turns out she's moving on to do a show in Vegas and this was her last weekend of shows so I got really lucky. I've seen her 3 times in NYC and she always catches my eye. I'll miss her.
Backstage was incredible. We got to roam the set, see all the props, walk across the stage, see the dressing rooms and secret theatre exits/entrances, hold the costumes (HEAVY! How they dance so flawlessly I have no idea!) and thumb through the racks. It was amazing.
I was on an Auntie Mission to score autographs for my CA niece, Mia, who is obsessed with Wicked. She was as Elphaba for Halloween with her cousin as Glinda, and is having a 5th Birthday Party in May based off the Show.
She's dedicated. She wouldn't surprise me at all by someday being the real Elphaba in the show.
I totally scored, getting every lead cast member (Elphaba, Glinda, and Fiyero) along with Alex to autograph a special 5th Year Anniversary Wicked Cast Photo Book for her. It's SA-WEET!!!! :)
Just another example of how my life has been "changed for good" by living in NYC. :)
2 comments:
Oh good god, that kid is gonna freak. Have you told Val yet??
And interesting you met Katie Webber -- she's from SC. Small world.
I wasn't nearly as depressed this time around seeing Wicked, thank God!
xoxo
ok seriously this IS amazing. she really is wondermom with these costumes.
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