Last weekend Macaroni Kid Publishers from all over the tri-state area made their way into NYC for a matinee showing of the hit Broadway musical Wicked. As a mom to two young children, I am always looking for opportunities to catch my breath, do something for myself and take the time out for some fun and self-care. That's why, when I got word that the folks at Wicked would be hosting Macaroni Kid, I grabbed my bestie (a mom of a 5-week old and a 2-year old) and made plans for a Mom's Day Out!
What a "day out" it was! We started out bright and early taking a 9:45 AM MTA train into Grand Central. We got into NYC around 11 AM, which gave us the opportunity to stroll the streets of NYC city streets before meeting at the Gershwin Theater at noon. As we made our way through the hustle and bustle of Times Square and over to the theater, I realized that it had been years since I'd been to a Broadway show. Heck, it's been years since I've been to a movie for that matter! I was starting to feel the excitement and anticipation about the show and the magic of a live musical.
When we got to the theater, we were given opportunity to see some of the behind the scenes rehearsal space and meet a few cast members. What an experience and such an added bonus to an already special day.
The show started around 2:00 PM. As we walked into the actual theater, we were completely struck by how fantastic the set and the stage were. The show was already starting to come to life even before it began!
No matter how much excitement or anticipation we felt before the show, there is nothing that could top Wicked itself. For those who aren't familiar, Wicked tells the story of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West from The "Wizard of Oz." The story gives us, the audience, a backstory to Elphaba's life before she became "The Wicked Witch" and how she is essentially misunderstood. While of course there are some comedic parts to this story, the take away is much more than a few laughs.
To be honest, it's actually the perfect "Mom's Day Out' kinda show. It tells the story of two female friends (Elphaba and Glinda, the Good Witch) and the ups and downs they experience during their friendship. There is competition over position in school, competition over boys, misunderstandings and arguments. But there is also a female bond so strong that it beats the adversarial environment in which the characters are living. It shows real "female power" and the strength of female bonds in the best of times and in the worst of times.
The story of Elphaba and Glinda left me feeling invigorated and inspired. As a woman and a mother of two girls, it made me reflect on the importance of my female friendships. It made me think of how much I appreciate our relationships and what I learn from them. Spending my Mom's Day Out watching Wicked also reminded me exactly why a mom's day out with friends is so important. It's an opportunity to laugh and lean on those women in your life who are truly with you during the good times and the bad. It's an opportunity to be with the people who love you no matter what!
Okay, now that I'm done being super sappy, let's talk about the singing. Holy cow, can that cast sing! I literally had chills during songs like "Defying Gravity" and "For Good." It's absolutely amazing to me that someone has the ability to sing like that! Needless to say, the rest of my week was spent trying my best Elphaba impersonation with my kids cringing and asking me to stop!
All in all, if you are looking for a bigger and greater Mom's Day Out, Wicked is the best choice. It is fun, inspiring, and the quality entertainment you expect from a Broadway show. It's also a great way to spend some time enjoying all that NYC has to offer with the girlfriends in your life who make you say to yourself:
"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" -Steven Schwartz (Wicked)
