Spectacular… Funny… Thought provoking… Beautiful talent… Amazing performance…
WICKED, Broadway’s #1 show for nine consecutive years, comes to Omaha for the next two weeks! It is the untold story of the witches of Oz, and how these unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.
From the minute the curtain rises, the audience is drawn in to the beautiful story of Elphaba and Glinda. With superb talent and beautiful singing, this story touches you in ways you would not expect. Gina Beck, as Glinda, is hilarious, and so fun to watch. Emma Hunton plays Elphaba beautifully, with a voice so amazing and filled with emotion, that you are touched every time she sings. The two interact perfectly together, especially during the favorite “I’m Popular” scene, and the moving scene “Defying Gravity”.
One of the best aspects of WICKED, is the story behind the story. We are all very familiar with the favorite Wizard of Oz, and have probably seen it several times. WICKED takes our preconceived thoughts on who the Wicked Witch and Glinda the Good Witch are, and gives us a different perspective on their backgrounds and why they are the way they are. Seeing The Wizard of Oz will never be the same (in a good way).
Bullying is a dominant theme in WICKED, and they have a created a WICKED Anti-Bullying Summit to go along with the show. Several hundred students participated in anti-bullying workshops, focused towards preventing bullying in the classroom, and helping them become anti-bullying advocates in their schools.
With its combination of beautiful music, talented performers, heartfelt story, and entertaining scenes, WICKED has become one of my favorite Broadway shows!
Performances and Tickets
WICKED will be in Omaha, Wednesday, May 7 through Sunday, May 25, at the Orpheum Theater, 409 South 16th Street.
Tickets are $35 to $160 and are available online at TicketOmaha.com; by phone at 402.345.0606; or at the Ticket Omaha box office inside the Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas Streets, Omaha, Neb.
LOTTERY
A day-of-performance lottery for a limited number of orchestra seats will be held for WICKED. Two and one-half hours prior to each performance, people who present themselves at the Orpheum Theater box office will have their names placed in a lottery drum; 30 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. Lottery participants must have a valid photo ID when submitting their entry form and, if chosen, when purchasing tickets.
Disclosure: Many thanks to Omaha Performing Arts for presenting another wonderful production, and for providing two tickets in exchange for sharing information about this show. Three photos were provided by Omaha Performing Arts. All opinions are my own.