In 2011, my friend Ernie and I unexpectedly saw a performance of Wicked at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, the actual first performance of Mamie Parris as Elphaba. When I heard the show was returning to Atlanta in 2015, I was ecstatic. I felt guilty that Terry hadn't seen the show before, and I knew he HAD to experience it. Like most gay men, we love The Wizard of Oz, so I was confident he would enjoy Wicked.
Buying tickets turned into quite an ordeal. We waited a bit too long to purchase them, as I was waiting on my tax refund. Getting tickets for a popular show three weeks before the performance is not a good idea. Finding two seats together was a challenge. The Fox Theatre’s website charged a $20 fee on top of each ticket's cost. As a server, $40 is sometimes considered a "good lunch," and I'd rather not pay unnecessary fees. Plus, I'm super cheap. I decided to stop by the box office one morning on my way to work. Almost every show was sold out, and if they weren't, the only available seats were singles in different sections. The gentleman at the ticket booth told me the best option was the March 5th, 1 pm show, Orchestra Right, Row X, seats 18 and 20, at $98 per ticket. Knowing the balcony overhangs Row N, I figured these seats weren't bad at all. I've seen Phantom from every part of the Fox and can say that any further back in the orchestra, once you get into those double-letter seats, it's uncomfortable, and the views are obstructed. These seats were definitely a good choice, considering our best options. I bought those tickets and headed to work. Once I got to the restaurant, I requested the day off for the show. There was no way I was paying $98 per ticket and missing it for a possible $40 shift. I got the day off!
Terry started feeling bad the night before and was coughing, so we went to the pharmacy and stocked up on Alka-Seltzer Cold & Flu for daytime and nighttime. I loaded my shirt pockets with cough drops and a couple of Dayquil pills for when the Alka-Seltzer wore off. We headed towards Midtown by noon, and the temperature was around 65 degrees, a bit windy, and starting to look drizzly. Parking at the Fox is a complete cluster, especially during the day. You're competing for spots among cars parked for people at work and other theatergoers. T-minus 20 minutes before curtain, and Terry and I were still trying to park. We saw a lot with $20 parking, but it was full. I told Terry to head towards the Walgreens and Publix area, hoping we'd find paid parking. Nope, there was none. We decided to chance it and use the Publix parking lot, hoping we wouldn't get towed or booted.
We made it in about 10 minutes before the show started. We used to make mad dashes to buy t-shirts and programs but stopped the unnecessary spending years ago. Straight to our seats we went. Those seats weren't bad at all. I couldn't help but feel bad for those crammed into the first 20 rows on the right and left of the orchestra section because those were most definitely obstructed views. This was the fourth time Wicked played Atlanta, but the first time for the 2nd national tour. The official website stated there was no difference between the first and second national tours aside from the cast members. I knew this wasn't completely true, considering I had known since this production originated in Chicago that it had been scaled down a bit. Having seen the 1st national tour, I noticed differences in the staging and sets, such as the Flying Monkeys not climbing the proscenium, Morrible being off-stage during her announcement in "Defying Gravity," and no bridge above the stage. Despite the differences, the production value and spectacle of the show were just as enjoyable as before.
I filled Terry in on things to look for throughout the show but didn't give away key moments or spoil the twists at the end. He was completely shocked that I was so good at keeping all the spoilers to myself and letting him witness everything firsthand. When we opened our Encore Atlanta magazines (the Fox's version of a Playbill), we saw two "At This Performance" notices: Glinda would be played by Beka Burnham and Elphaba by Emily Koch. I LOVE watching understudies and standbys. While some see them as the villains who stole the starring role from the regular actor, I see them as unexpected stars deserving their chance to shine. As a former understudy myself, I understand the excitement of getting the chance to perform. Understudies are unique; they often morph the best parts of other performers into their own. Both Beka and Emily were amazing. I know I'd get flak for this, but I personally thought they were much better vocally than Idina and Kristin's performances on the Original Broadway Cast recording.
John Davidson as the Wizard was also good. I've been a fan of his since his days on "That's Incredible" and "Hollywood Squares." At 73 years old, he danced like he was still in his 30s, 40s or 50s. Vocally, he was a bit shaky since I saw him in "State Fair" on Broadway, but considering his age, it's impressive. Madame Morrible, played by Kristine Zbornik, was more than suitable. She conveyed an agenda from the beginning, with nothing sweet about her other than her excellent performance. Liana Hunt's Nessarose was fabulous. Lee Slobotkin's Boq was tragically hilarious and adorable. Former boy band O-Town member, Ashley Parker Angel, played Fiyero. His vocal choices were well-placed and unique. My favorite Ashley Parker Angel moments were during "As Long As You're Mine," where he seemed more genuine than a few others I've heard in this role.
Back in the day, my top five musicals were "The Phantom of the Opera," "Miss Saigon," "Starlight Express," "RENT," and "CATS." Most people know that "The Phantom of the Opera" was at the top of that list. Having seen Wicked, I can honestly say that Wicked now rivals Phantom for my top pick. After the curtain call, John Davidson, Ashley Parker Angel, and Lee Slobotkin, acting as their model, explained that cast members in costume were taking donations and selling special items in the lobby, with proceeds going to Equity Fights AIDS. One of the items was a large showcard (poster) autographed by each cast member for $60. I usually don't buy showcards, but I definitely wanted this one. As I headed to the lobby, I made my purchase/donation, and Terry and I rushed out the front of the Fox, hoping to find the car where we left it.
It was about 4 pm, and the temperature had dropped at least 20 degrees from when we arrived. We had no jackets or hoodies, so I went into power-walk mode—six blocks of zigzagging across streets. We made it to the Publix parking lot, and the car was still there! We started the car, and the temperature read 39 degrees. I checked AccuWeather, and it was pretty accurate, except the windchill made it feel like 24 degrees.
On a side note, if you've ever wondered about the difference between seeing a matinee and an evening show at the Fox, there's not really a difference other than you enter and exit the show in daylight rather than darkness. The daytime crowd also seems more respectful and well-behaved, and I noticed no offensive old lady perfumes like Odyssey by Avon.
Buying tickets turned into quite an ordeal. We waited a bit too long to purchase them, as I was waiting on my tax refund. Getting tickets for a popular show three weeks before the performance is not a good idea. Finding two seats together was a challenge. The Fox Theatre’s website charged a $20 fee on top of each ticket's cost. As a server, $40 is sometimes considered a "good lunch," and I'd rather not pay unnecessary fees. Plus, I'm super cheap. I decided to stop by the box office one morning on my way to work. Almost every show was sold out, and if they weren't, the only available seats were singles in different sections. The gentleman at the ticket booth told me the best option was the March 5th, 1 pm show, Orchestra Right, Row X, seats 18 and 20, at $98 per ticket. Knowing the balcony overhangs Row N, I figured these seats weren't bad at all. I've seen Phantom from every part of the Fox and can say that any further back in the orchestra, once you get into those double-letter seats, it's uncomfortable, and the views are obstructed. These seats were definitely a good choice, considering our best options. I bought those tickets and headed to work. Once I got to the restaurant, I requested the day off for the show. There was no way I was paying $98 per ticket and missing it for a possible $40 shift. I got the day off!
Terry started feeling bad the night before and was coughing, so we went to the pharmacy and stocked up on Alka-Seltzer Cold & Flu for daytime and nighttime. I loaded my shirt pockets with cough drops and a couple of Dayquil pills for when the Alka-Seltzer wore off. We headed towards Midtown by noon, and the temperature was around 65 degrees, a bit windy, and starting to look drizzly. Parking at the Fox is a complete cluster, especially during the day. You're competing for spots among cars parked for people at work and other theatergoers. T-minus 20 minutes before curtain, and Terry and I were still trying to park. We saw a lot with $20 parking, but it was full. I told Terry to head towards the Walgreens and Publix area, hoping we'd find paid parking. Nope, there was none. We decided to chance it and use the Publix parking lot, hoping we wouldn't get towed or booted.
We made it in about 10 minutes before the show started. We used to make mad dashes to buy t-shirts and programs but stopped the unnecessary spending years ago. Straight to our seats we went. Those seats weren't bad at all. I couldn't help but feel bad for those crammed into the first 20 rows on the right and left of the orchestra section because those were most definitely obstructed views. This was the fourth time Wicked played Atlanta, but the first time for the 2nd national tour. The official website stated there was no difference between the first and second national tours aside from the cast members. I knew this wasn't completely true, considering I had known since this production originated in Chicago that it had been scaled down a bit. Having seen the 1st national tour, I noticed differences in the staging and sets, such as the Flying Monkeys not climbing the proscenium, Morrible being off-stage during her announcement in "Defying Gravity," and no bridge above the stage. Despite the differences, the production value and spectacle of the show were just as enjoyable as before.
I filled Terry in on things to look for throughout the show but didn't give away key moments or spoil the twists at the end. He was completely shocked that I was so good at keeping all the spoilers to myself and letting him witness everything firsthand. When we opened our Encore Atlanta magazines (the Fox's version of a Playbill), we saw two "At This Performance" notices: Glinda would be played by Beka Burnham and Elphaba by Emily Koch. I LOVE watching understudies and standbys. While some see them as the villains who stole the starring role from the regular actor, I see them as unexpected stars deserving their chance to shine. As a former understudy myself, I understand the excitement of getting the chance to perform. Understudies are unique; they often morph the best parts of other performers into their own. Both Beka and Emily were amazing. I know I'd get flak for this, but I personally thought they were much better vocally than Idina and Kristin's performances on the Original Broadway Cast recording.
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| Emily Koch as Elphaba |
Back in the day, my top five musicals were "The Phantom of the Opera," "Miss Saigon," "Starlight Express," "RENT," and "CATS." Most people know that "The Phantom of the Opera" was at the top of that list. Having seen Wicked, I can honestly say that Wicked now rivals Phantom for my top pick. After the curtain call, John Davidson, Ashley Parker Angel, and Lee Slobotkin, acting as their model, explained that cast members in costume were taking donations and selling special items in the lobby, with proceeds going to Equity Fights AIDS. One of the items was a large showcard (poster) autographed by each cast member for $60. I usually don't buy showcards, but I definitely wanted this one. As I headed to the lobby, I made my purchase/donation, and Terry and I rushed out the front of the Fox, hoping to find the car where we left it.
On a side note, if you've ever wondered about the difference between seeing a matinee and an evening show at the Fox, there's not really a difference other than you enter and exit the show in daylight rather than darkness. The daytime crowd also seems more respectful and well-behaved, and I noticed no offensive old lady perfumes like Odyssey by Avon.
I've seen the show a few times, I don't know where they find their people but every cast is incredible.
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