WICKED

Though we have never seen a show on Broadway we have now been to four Broadway-caliber performances thanks to Broadway Across America and living in Las Vegas. We have had enjoyed Les Miserables, We Will Rock You, Phantom and now Wicked after last night's performance. You gotta give it to these playwrights. Sure, these plays might be musicals but they tackle some pretty heady issues. Here is a sampling of what I took away from our most recent venture:

1. History is always complicated. Simplifying what took place does not do justice to the past or the present.

2. Who decides what and/or who is wicked anyway?

3. Is the world black and white or more gray?

4. Perhaps the most important lesson of the night: looks can be deceiving.

5. It is always fascinating to look at the events of a particular incident from different points of view.

6. The poster is mesmerizing. What is Glinda whispering in Elphaba's ear? Is she being helpful, manipulative, or just gossipy?

7. Finally, next to Michael Jackson's stupid music video "Thriller," the movie "The Wizard of Oz" was the source of many of my childhood nightmares. Come on, freaky flying monkeys, living scare crows being ripped apart but not dying, melting witches, and don't even get me started on those creepy munchkins. I've suppressed those dreams for many years. Shudder.