Monday, 22 April 2013

Top 5: Shows I've Seen

Wicked

How does Wicked come above Phantom? Two simple things divided them when I was putting them in order and the first was I've seen Wicked more, the second is Wicked has two of my dream roles. Otherwise this spot would have gone to Phantom!
Up until three years ago I was pretty much oblivious to this musical. I had heard about it's acclaim on Broadway, how Idina Mendzel won a Tony for her role, but other than that I knew nothing. For my 20th birthday I received tickets for myself and a friend to see it and oh boy was I blown away. I cried, I laughed, I got goosebumps all over and then goosebumps on top of them! There was just something so simple about the story that really hits home and yet it's so complex at the same time. It's this reason that it's become my go to show for when family and friends visit. I figure everyone will enjoy it and so far I've been right!

The good bits:
The characters. It would be very easy for them to fall into a stereotype but they don't. They're complex and relatable and so well developed. You really feel for them and are drawn into their hopes and dreams without a second thought.
The songs. Of course! I mean sure, they're almost impossible to sing, but my god are they incredible. They are what I would describe as true Broadway songs. Big and belty in the best possible way! They build at the right places and hold back when it's needed pulling you into these characters even more.

Favourite song:
As someone who wants to be Elphaba I'm torn here between my favourite song to sing, and favourite song to listen to. So I shall put both... even if one does top the other a little.
I adore singing No Good Deed. You just get everything out in that song and it's so much fun! However my favourite song is Defying Gravity, no surprises there right. Those last notes, the whole message of the song, just everything about it is perfect. It leaves me breathless and covered in goosebumps and I'm pretty sure has made every single theatre girl want to paint herself green.

Favourite character:
Well this is probably a bit obvious! Elphaba. Anyone who's ever been bullied for something, or dreamt of something can relate to her. She's not only relatable though, she's an inspiration. Yes, I just said the Wicked Witch of the West is an inspiration! She fights for what she believes in, she doesn't compromise and she has a strength that most of us can only dream of having. Combine all of those things with her humour and those songs and you can really see why so many people cite her as a dream role.

Dream cast:
Elphaba: Eden Espinosa.
Glinda: Megan Hilty
Fiyero: Aaron Tveit Adam Garcia
(Okay I will stop putting Mr. Tveit as every male role, you can't deny he'd be amazing at everything though. I wish I could have seen Adam as Fiyero, unfortunately I was too late!)

Wish me luck, the same to you.
Annabelle
xoxo

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