Are people born wicked?

Or do they have wickedness thrust upon them? This is the question posed in the first few moments of the wonderful musical Wicked. The following three hours are spent telling a magical tale which tries to get at the answer.

A week ago I was fortunate enough to see the San Francisco production of Wicked and it was fantastic! I'd wanted to see this musical for quite some time, but it's always sold out in New York. My expectations were of a good story, some decent tunes but mostly I wanted to see it because I love the Wizard of Oz. Wicked is a really good musical, the dialogue is fresh and funny, the songs hit the right balance between pop and classic musical. The plot is much more complex than I thought, but followable enough. The story is so much more than the tale of the good witch and bad witch. It explores how it's so easy to pick on others who are different, and how this can impact their lives in unexpected way. There's some shrewd political satire. It makes you think of the choices you have to make in life and a lot of life comes down to making a decision that's true to yourself whether it be right or wrong in the eyes of others. There's some social commentary on being popular. Wicked is also a tale of an unlikely friendship, or maybe not friendship but a bond that grows between two girls that impacts their lives forever. I think my favorite song was at the end when the good witch and the wicked witch sing "Who can say if I've been changed for the better? But because I knew you. I have been changed for good."

Wicked is full of good stuff. If it's in your town go see it. I wonder if the book is equally as rich. I will probably find out at some point. I'm glad I finally saw it, and hope I have the opportunity to see it again one day.