On February 4, 2018, I attended Wicked performed at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh. It truly was an amazing production filled with lots of twists and turns that no one would have ever expected. Wicked ties in one of the most well-known movies of all times “The Wizard of Oz” to create a musical that takes its audience on an adventure. Many of the characters come from “The Wizard of Oz” such as: Glinda (the Good Witch), Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West), the scarecrow, and even the tin man. The audience discovers the backstory to “The Wizard of Oz” and learns how each character came to be. It takes us back to before Dorothy and the yellow brick road ever came to be.

The story begins with Elphaba and Glinda meeting at boarding school. Many scriptwriters include the typical “opposites attract,” and in this case, the beautiful and vapid Glinda becomes best friends with the smart and green Elphaba. The audience joins them both on a journey as they discover truth and themselves.

Overall, the experience was truly magical. Walking into the Benedum Center, I was welcomed with flashing lights, similar to ones seen on Broadway. In addition, as I walked in, there were lines of people waiting to buy a variety of merchandise. Although the merchandise was highly overpriced, it was a tangible product that one can hold on forever to remember the show. This magical experience was continued further during the production. From the vibrant lights to flying monkeys, there was always something to be watching. Beautifully sung songs filled my ears accompanied by excellent acting. Not once did I take my eyes off of the stage or was bored.

By the end of production, it saddened me when I realized that my “one short day” in Pittsburgh was coming to an end. I had an experience that will never be forgotten.