Broadway’s Wicked is on stage at the Orpheum until August 28, 2022. You don’t want to miss this show. It’s full of heart, beauty, and misunderstood love.
Most Photo Credits to Joan Marcus
FFTC received tickets in exchange for promotion. This review is completely my own. Some links are affiliate links.
When I was a kid, one of my most terrifying fears was the Wicked Witch of the West. I’m not even joking when I say I couldn’t sleep in my room because I envisioned her flying through my window, and even during daylight hours this was a full-blown fear. My 4-year-old self would never have believed I would enjoy my greatest fear’s origin story.
Also, my 14 year old is very curious about this show. He thought it sounded super interesting. I really wanted to bring him, but alas, he is at camp. So instead, it’s date night with my husband! Which is awesome in and of itself.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- The show begins with 3 monkeys on stage, but from the first musical number on, you can expect everything to be BIG. Big sets, big songs, big color, big characters (Glinda reminds me of Elle Woods, Reese Witherspoon’s character in Legally Blonde), big plot twists (how was the Wicked Witch of the West involved in the creation of all–seriously all–the characters you love in The Wizard of Oz). Including big emotions for the audience. I felt extremely delighted, extremely confused, extremely tickled. At the end of the show, Glinda and Elphaba sing a duet “For Good” about how even though they can’t be friends any longer, they are better for the time they had together. I was ugly crying with tears streaming down my face.
- Though I was sure there would be scary parts, there were none. Seriously. You will fall in love with Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. Your heart will ache for her. You will understand her actions. You will cheer for her successes. You will giggle at all of her awkwardness. Oh, my goodness. Her awkwardness. Wow. There are no words at how delightful that is. You will love her. And you will also love Glinda, but for completely different reasons.
- My favorite character–if you don’t count the two main characters–was Boq, the Munchkin. Or maybe it was Fieryo, the Winkie Prince. Or maybe Dr. Dillamond. I can’t choose. And my least favorite character was the Wizard. You have to make it all the way through the show to learn why. But I’m pretty positive, he will be on your “Dislike List” as well.
- This show is a great tool to talk about hard subjects in a really fun way. Some significant and currently relevant talking points include how the Ozians were tricked to believe what the Wizard wanted them to believe because he united them around a common enemy–fear– and how there is truth to Glinda’s song “Popular” describing how people’s perspectives matter. I think one of the most important discussion point is about how when we don’t try to learn the whole story, we can do some incredible damage. And all of this real life talk can be discussed through the characters in the show.
HOW TO TAKE Wicked WITH YOU
- Watch the Wizard of Oz on HBO Max. Or find it at your local library.
- Listen to Wicked on Spotify. Listen Here.
- Schedule an outing to an escape room and let your kiddo lead the way in getting out of the room. Learn More Here.
- Read Wizard of Oz. You can buy a picture book version through our Bookshop link if you are interested.
The Broadway sensation WICKED looks at what happened in the Land of Oz…but from a different angle. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emerald-green skin, who is smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships…until the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked.”
-Broadway Press Release
PARENT’S GUIDE
The show is not scary at all. There were many children under the age of 10. It’s a long show (close to 3 hours with a 15-minute intermission), but very engaging so you are never bored.
- Covid Policy: There is no mask policy, vaccination policy, or testing policy any longer. If you would feel more comfortable wearing one, there are plenty of people in the audience who do.
- How to dress: I was dressed in pants and a long sleeve top with wool socks and boots. I left the theatre freezing. I was so cold. So if you decide to dress up, I would suggest to bring a wrap and wear shoes with some sort of sock/stocking.
- Booster Cushions: Anticipating a high percentage of patrons to be shorter than 5 feet, the Orpheum provides booster cushions for you to utilize. And seriously, use them. I wish I had since the lady sitting in front me was directly in my line of site and for most of the show I had to look around her head or through her hair. To her credit, I think she had the same problem as I did with the woman in front of her.
- Preparing for the show: There were some songs that were hard for me to understand the words. It may be helpful for you to listen to the soundtrack and familiarize yourself and your kids with the songs. I was able to understand the gist of the songs even if I couldn’t understand all the words.
SHOW AND TICKETING INFORMATION
Show runs: July 27-August 28, 2022
Tickets start at $54 plus an additional $5 Building Restoration Fee.
Parking Hint: I like to park in the Hawthorne Ramp behind the theater. It’s usually $$5-$10.
Check out more shows for your family around the Twin Cities on our Performing Arts Calendar.
