– Time For A Tiara: Column by Ginna Young – - Wicked is defying gravity

– Time For A Tiara: Column by Ginna Young –

I wasn’t even going to go see Wicked. By the theatrical preview, I gathered it was basically a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, with some liberties taken, about Glinda, the Good Witch, and The Wicked Witch of the West, before they were adversaries, vying for the coveted ruby slippers.

However, beyond the 30-second preview, I vaguely remembered some performances from the Broadway show during Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parades over the years, but that was it. When I saw the previews, I just wasn’t sure about it. Maybe I’d just watch it when it came out on Netflix.

Besides, I’m not much of an Ariana Grande fan and seeing how ditsy she seemed in the role of Glinda – yeah, did I really want to waste my time and ticket money? On the other hand, I love anything witchy and Jonathan Bailey, whom I adore from Bridgerton, was one of the stars.

After some hemming and hawing, I decided to just go for it. Everybody was so excited for it, maybe there was something to it. So, I bought my ticket online for opening weekend and planned to get there just as it started, to avoid previews and hopefully, prevent me from having to use the restroom in the middle of the movie, especially since I discovered it was almost a three-hour runtime.

Well, I got a later start than I wanted, so I definitely squeaked in just in time, as the opening scene started. I was the last one in the theatre, with every single seat filled. The poor girls on either side of me slumped when they saw me coming, no doubt, hoping I wouldn’t show, so they could put their stuff in the empty seat between them.

Sorry to disappoint. But, on to the movie. I needn’t have worried about having to go to the bathroom during the film; from the first, I was caught up in the whole thing and barely even shifted in my seat. I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen. I finally know the feeling of what “rapt” truly means.

I won’t spoil the movie for anyone who hasn’t seen it yet, but I will say, I think you should see it. I completely identify with The Wicked Witch of the West, whose name is actually Elphaba.

Beyond that, the cinematography is breathtaking, the choreography was spot on and the songs I never knew before, I keep singing to myself, while they play on repeat in my head. The vocals are like nothing I’ve ever heard, I am just floored by the two female leads, that such voices even exist.

It was all I could think and talk about after that, so much so, that I decided to go see it again. The second time did not disappoint, I was so caught up in it and noticed some stuff I missed the first time. As one moviegoer aptly put it as the end of the movie came, “WOW!”

This could be my favorite movie and the closing song, Defying Gravity, is my new theme song.

Unfortunately, this is only part one of two, so we have to wait another excruciating year, before the last installment. I already know the date and will get my ticket as soon as it becomes available. Usually, I count down to Halloween, but in 2025, I’m counting down to Wicked!

Who knows, I may go to see it a couple more times yet while it’s still in theatres. After all, I don’t quite have all the songs memorized and Ariana Grande started growing on me as Glinda.

Her favorite person is herself, she loves shiny things, she’s always posing and wanting people to admire her. We could be twins – except for all the pink.