Day 59: Wicked

While L.A. has seen the last performance of Wicked several weeks ago. I was lucky enough to see the production before it closed. This was my first musical, and I honestly had a lot of preconceived ideas about musicals i.e; (hur hur musicals...gay.) I don't know why I agreed into going to watch it but damn, I'm glad I went.

Based on the best-selling 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire, the musical looks at the characters of The Wizard of Oz from a different perspective, re-imagining the beloved tale from the point of view of Elphaba, who will eventually become the Wicked Witch of the West. The young sorceress suffers racism due to her green skin and eventually becomes an activist to end cruelty to the disenfranchised in Oz. Along the way, she collides with the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion while engaging in a very complex relationship with her school chum, Glinda.

Espinosa (Elphaba) and Hilty (Glinda), both veterans of the show's Broadway cast, do what they can to give organic performances, although they are basically cast and directed to be facsimiles of original Broadway stars Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. Nevertheless, Espinosa gives a heartfelt portrayal of the rebellious Elphaba, managing to break hearts while dancing at the prep school ball in a ridiculous black hat that earns derision from her classmates and causing arm hairs to be raised when she triumphantly hits those high notes.

With a high-pitched, breathily mannered voice that sounds like an amalgam of Marilyn Monroe and Betty Boop, Hilty is flawless as the self-centered but loving Glinda. She masters the comic timing essential to endear this vacuous child to the audience, and her transition into a more compassionate adult leader never feels forced.

Wicked will touch the hearts of anyone who considers himself or herself to be an outsider. As long as there are actresses who can hit those high notes and speak that crackling prose, this show will remain a cherished part of the theater repertoire, probably well into the next decade.

I had such a good time I went and got autographs from the entire cast.

Starting Weight: 230
Current Weight: 214 WHOO HOO I BROKE 215!

Workout: None Rest Day

Meals:

1. Meal 1: GNC Pro Performance Wheybolic Extreme 60 310 kcal

2. Meal 2: Slimfast Optima Milk Chocolate Shake with Soy 200 kcal

3. Meal 3: Turkey Wrap no mayo 351 kcal

4. Meal 4: Slimfast Optima Milk Chocolate Shake with Soy 200 kcal

5. Meal 5: Egg Salad Sandwich with Chicken 309 kcal

6. Total Calories: 1,370