Monday Moment - Do What You Love!

I’ve long been a fan of The Wizard of Oz so when Wicked came to Rochester a few weeks ago, I made it my business to secure tickets. The Rochester Broadway Theatre League brings four or five big musical productions to town every year – and I used to go fairly often – but I hadn’t been in years.

But Wicked, I thought, was not to be missed. I wanted to steep myself in the show before it arrived so I picked up Gregory Maguire’s book and gave myself a whole month to read it. Normally, whenever I read a book before seeing a movie or play based on that book, I like the book a whole lot more. At least twice lately, that pattern has been broken. Love in the Time of Cholera was a beautiful film – and a book that was a lot of work. And Wicked was a delightful romp on stage and honestly, an agony to read.

Well, agony is perhaps too strong a word. Or maybe not. I kept thinking that being wicked ought to be more fun! But Elphaba, our Wicked Witch of the West, didn’t seem to enjoy her “beautiful wickedness” as much as I thought she ought to. I certainly gained sympathy for her, but I just couldn’t work up the delicious scare I’ve always gotten from Margaret Hamilton’s Wicked Witch of the West. Being wicked seemed a lot more exhausting than fun! Of course that could be because the book goes on for decades and decades of Elphaba’s life. Maybe it was me who was exhausted.

But on stage, Elphaba was sympathetic, engaging, and fun! And Glinda, flighty and fairly annoying in the book, maintained that flightiness in the funniest and most engaging way imaginable! It was entirely understandable that she should acquire the level of popularity to which she aspired. She injected exponential fun in every situation.

Light and dark (or in this case, green) served the other as Elphaba the green and Glinda the goofy developed a heartfelt friendship that was touching to see. Their signature song - “I don’t know if I’ve been changed for the better, but because I knew you, I’ve been changed for good” – demonstrated that without the wicked, the good wouldn’t have been as goodm, and nor was the wicked, perhaps, as wicked as it seemed.

Ahh. Food for thought. And high level entertainment that I am absolutely glad I didn’t miss.

And there’s the lesson for me – beyond the lessons of friendship and courage of Wicked’s plot. If I enjoy musical theatre as much as I clearly do – then why in the heck has it been so long since I’ve taken advantage of the opportunity? It’s not as if I have to travel to Broadway or Toronto to see a great show. I can get to the theater, park, and be in my seat in less than an hour. Yes, tickets are pricey. And worth skimping on some other minor luxuries.

I’m reminded of one of Sid Simon’s values strategies that asks you to name 20 Things You Love to Do – and then asks just when you had last done each of them. Well, I can guarantee you that my absence from that Auditorium Theater will not be nearly as prolonged in future years. In fact, I’ve set a goal – and you know how I am about my goals – that I will attend no fewer than one touring Broadway show each year for the rest of my life!

Next year’s season has already been announced. After Wicked I have to see The Wizard of Oz, now don’t I? And maybe The Drowsy Chaperone and Jersey Boys, and…

Wishing you opportunities to do something from your 20 Things I Love to Do list this very week!

Sally