Another NYC Adventure!

Thanks to my parents for a wildly fun evening in Manhattan! Mom and Dad, we used our Christmas cash and finally were able to get $57.00,(unbelievable we know) tickets to Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre. Nicole Parker starred as Elphaba and Alli Mauzey played the part of Glinda. We were familiar with George Maguire's story and in love with the soundtrack, but to have it all come together with a fantastic cast, fabulous costuming, creative choreography, an incredible set, and really "up close and personal" with seats on the third row was magical.

Of course I could relate to the misunderstood Wicked Witch of the West,(Elphaba), as I have been called exactly that by my five little munchkins when they protested many times in their young lives! If you are curious about the story, here's a little about this delicious tale.

When Dorothy triumphed over the Wicked Witch of the West in L. Frank Baum's classic tale, we heard only her side of the story. But what about her arch-nemesis, the mysterious Witch? Where did she come from? How did she become so wicked? And what is the true nature of evil? Gregory Maguire creates a fantasy world so rich and vivid that we will never look at Oz the same way again. Wicked is about a land where animals talk and strive to be treated like first-class citizens, Munchkinlanders seek the comfort of middle-class stability, and the Tin Man becomes a victim of domestic violence. And then there is the little green-skinned girl named Elphaba, who will grow up to become the infamous Wicked Witch of the West, a smart, prickly, and misunderstood creature who challenges all our preconceived notions about the nature of good and evil.

Possibly our favorite song,"For Good" is from Wicked:

ELPHABA
I'm limited:
Just look at me - I'm limited
And just look at you -
You can do all I couldn't do, Glinda
So now it's up to you
(spoken) For both of us
(sung) Now it's up to you:

GLINDA
I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you:

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

ELPHABA
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend:
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you:

GLINDA
Because I knew you:

BOTHI have been changed for good

ELPHABA
And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame me for

GLINDA
But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share

BOTH
And none of it seems to matter anymore

GLINDA ELPHABA
Like a comet pulled Like a ship blown
From orbit as it Off it's mooring
Passes a sun, like By a wind off the
A stream that meets Sea, like a seed
A boulder, half-way Dropped by a
Through the wood Bird in the wood

BOTH
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
I do believe I have been changed for the better?

GLINDA
And because I knew you:
ELPHABA
Because I knew you:

BOTH
Because I knew you:
I have been changed for good.


We enjoyed this delightful musical that encourages appreciating the differences in others as well as looking for the best in every one, even a Witch with the name of West!

Adding to our fun, for the first time we hopped the Q101 bus across the street from our house and traveled down Steinway, and over the Queensboro Bridge. Then we hopped onto the M31, another bus that took us cross-town to Times Square. We got off the bus and walked a short distance to the theater. It was a cold and blustery night in the city and we just made a memorable mission memory. New York City is such a great place to serve a senior mission.
It just is!

We are so thrilled for our dear friends, Richard and Jill Smith from Rexburg. We learned last weekend that Richard who was the first bishop in our Rolling Hills Ward, was called to be the President of the New York, New York North Mission! They will arrive in New York as we leave with the Bennions and will preside over Manhattan, The Bronx, Harlem, and I think almost up to the Upstate part of New York State! Congratulations you two....we are so happy for both of you and all of your future missionaries.