After months of anticipation Wicked returned this week rounding out the 50th Anniversary of Broadway in Detroit. MCB was on the hook for media night so we glitzed and glammed our way downtown stopping at Union Street for a quick bite to eat and a few snazzy drinks. Our fancy waiter (Aaron) not only had us in and out in a snap but also informed us that there was a discount for all patrons attending Wicked (bonus!)
Media check-in was a breeze and we were off to the upstairs bar inside the Detroit Opera House warming up and pining away for the curtain to rise and Wicked to begin. The beauty of the DOH is simply stunning – the architecture and the ambience create the perfect setting for what we heard was a memorable show.
The story goes-- Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the land of Oz. Wicked tells the remarkable odyssey, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good. Glinda who is known as the Good Witch didn't start out that way, she was the deceiving character that always gets her way. Elphaba on the other hand is not the evil character (as the original story depicts the character), she was the misunderstood girl with emerald skin cast as a lonely outsider. The actress who plays Elphaba is AMAZING particularly her singing! Glinda was outstandingly believable as the self-obsessed Barbie doll. She's my favorite character in the performance.
The play gives an in-depth look of what grew from a friendship and happened that led the two girls into separate paths.
Fun Facts about Wicked:
They use 250 lbs. of dry ice per show.
The dragon’s eyes are red LED bulbs that never burn out.
The dragon’s wingspan is the same as a Cessna 172.
The show has 90 wigs, using 70 during any given show. All are made of human hair, and made individually for each actor, using their own hairline in front.
There are 179 different types and finishes of leather used in shoes, gloves, hats and costume trim for Wicked.
Wicked is running now until December 31st at The Detroit Opera House.
Keep in mind that this is pretty much a Broadway Blockbuster so each of the performances is a SOLD OUT show. I would suggest to keep it to mid or back Orchestra since the seats are tight. In fact a bit too confined that the person next to me was fidgeting back and forth. And although the Opera House has some air flow do not be tempted to dress overly warmly, it is cold outside but the Opera House is toasty inside. The mezzanine level is one level up, the further the seats, the harder it is for viewers to see the stage from above. This would make a wonderful present & treat for your kids or your loved ones!!!
If you are having trouble getting tickets it was announced a day-of-performance lottery for a limited number of orchestra seats will be held daily for WICKED.
Each day, 2½ hours prior to show time people who present themselves at the Detroit Opera House box office will have their names placed in a lottery drum and then thirty minutes later, names will be drawn for a limited number of orchestra seats at $25 each, cash only. This lottery is available only in-person at the box office, with a limit of two tickets per person.
For more information, visit http://www.wickedthemusical.com/ or http://www.broadwayindetroit.com/