Even if you’re not a musical theater major, it’s doubtful you’ve gotten through the last few weeks without seeing an advertisement for the upcoming “Wicked” performances.
For four weeks only, the Des Moines Civic Center will present the musical “Wicked”, the wildly popular, smash-hit Broadway musical.
Known as the “untold story” of the witches of Oz, the show follows the lives of Glinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West before Dorothy was around. Known as the “defining musical of the decade” by critics and viewers alike, Wicked can make a fan out of anyone.
If you know anything about “Wicked,” then you know that it is Broadway’s best-selling show that attracts large audiences year after year and sells out at nearly every venue it is shown in. The show is so popular because essentially it’s a children’s story made for adults. From Nov. 9 to Dec. 4, the musical with 32 awards under its belt will entertain hundreds of people here in Des Moines.
“This will be my fifth time seeing ‘Wicked,’” first-year Dane Van Brocklin said. “I keep going back because the story line and music are excellent twists on a classic tale.”
Some people have heard of the show’s hype and wonder how it can possibly live up to its expectations.
“I’m going because I loved the book that it’s based off of, and I hear the play is even better,” junior Erin Mercurio said. “Hopefully all the people I’ve been talking to are right.”
According to a press release from the Civic Center: “No other show in (our) 32 year history has generated as much excitement and anticipation as ‘Wicked.’”
During the show’s 2009 tour, “Wicked” sold out in record time in Des Moines. Fortunately, tickets are still available for purchase, and there is a possibility that student rush tickets will available. If this is the case, just show up an hour or so before the show with your student ID, and you could be lucky enough to get seats that were originally priced at $100 or more for just $25.
With seven productions showing around the world, “Wicked” is one of the most well-known musicals of all time. In the coming weeks, young and old fans will flock to the Civic Center in search of great entertainment.
“I’ve seen ‘Wicked’ twice, and I’m definitely going again,” first-year Samantha Williams said. “The show is just amazing. The songs, the characters, the set…just amazing.”
