WICKED, the show that some say helped make Chicago a theatre destination with its run back in the early 2000s, has returned this week for the start of a 10-week run at the Nederlander Theatre. WICKED isn't a "kid's show", but the popularity and familiarity with Oz have helped put many kids in the audience, even if they aren't familiar with the books which inspired the production. I was surprised when not only our daughter, who knows the show from her classes with Stages Chicago but also our eleven-year-old son, who only knows of the show from his younger sister's camp performance this summer.
I rarely back away from an opportunity to expose the kids to the theatre, but I won't lie. I had some reservations about sharing this one with both of them. First of all, the show is long with a running time of nearly 3 hours with an intermission and I have kids who tend to fall asleep like clockwork each night. Second, while there is no extreme violence or language in the show, there are certainly some more intense moments, especially in the second act. What finally made me decide to take them both to see Wicked was a simple conversation on the way home from school one day. It began when I asked our son why he wanted to see it.
Son: "Well, it's like the prequel to Wizard of Oz right? The story of Glinda and the Wicked Witch before Dorothy showed up?"
Me: "Yes, it is"
Son: "I want to know why she was green, why was she so evil and why on earth was it a tornado of all things that brought Dorothy there?"
This is when, before I could even answer, his six-year-old sister chimed in with, "She wasn't really evil, she was just misunderstood and trying to stick up for the animals"
And that was the moment I said I would take them to see the show because it was then that I realized even kids, maybe especially kids, could grasp the larger themes within the story of Wicked. We made the most of our time leading up to the show to really help them get the most out of our evening at the Nederlander, even to the moment the house lights went down and the curtain rose.
Here are some simple ways to get your family ready to see WICKED this season:
- Talk about the books, and their authors, that inspired the movie "The Wizard of Oz" and the stage production of "Wicked". For example, in the early 1900's L. Frank Baum moved to Chicago where he worked for a newspaper and began working on writing children's books, such as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which was such a success he wrote a total of 14 children's books based on Oz and the characters. Gregory Maguire is an author who is known for writing adult novels inspired by many classic children's stories. The stage production of Wicked was adapted from his work, "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West", which actually didn't find success until the show debuted in 2003.
- Visit the site of Baum's Chicago home, which no longer stands on the corner of Wabansia and Humboldt Blvd, but is commemorated with a yellow-brick sidewalk and beautiful mosaic mural celebrating "There is No Place Like Home"
- Stroll through Oz Park in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, play on Dorothy's playground and check out the statues of the Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, and Dorothy (and Toto too!)
- Ask these questions (especially for older children) -
"What does it mean to be Wicked?" and "If you do something with good intentions, but it has a bad outcome, is that the same thing as doing something with bad intentions with a bad outcome?" - Allow for extra time at the theatre and walk your kids around and point out that it is more than just a stage, actors, and curtains. Show them the pit where the musicians are, point out the technicians who manage the sound and lights for the performance, and the different seating areas for the audience.
- Watch this great clip that is all about the stage and set for Wicked
- Listen to the music and if you use a streaming service that shows the lyrics our kids have really enjoyed being able to read them while they listen
- Check out one of the upcoming Stages classes that are WICKED-themed (10/8 and 10/21)
- Try to attend the show with another family if possible because it is valuable to have a peer to discuss the show with during intermission and afterward
- Grab a booster cushion for smaller or younger family members, they are often available at stations around the lobby, or just ask an employee
- Finally, prepare for a long show. Snacks and beverages are sold at the theatre and allowed to be consumed during the show. A little sugar and some water can go a long way.
About the Show
The Broadway sensation WICKED looks at what happened in the Land of Oz… but from a different angle. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emerald-green skin, who is smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possesses extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships… until the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked.”
The current cast for the US tour of Wicked brings unparallel talent and chemistry to the Nederlander stage. From the moment Jennafer Newberry floats on stage in her bubble as Glinda to the final moments with Lissa deGuzman as Elphaba, the audience is mesmerized by what is revealed to be the TRUE story of these characters. Our youngest was literally on the edge of her seat as the songs and dialogue brought us to the climactic ending. I would recommend this show for ages 6+ (give or take a year) in a general sense, but only you will know what is best for your child to handle. Given the length of the show and the fact that there are some moments that may be too scary or intense for younger children and I wouldn't recommend taking preschoolers or younger to this show.
Performances are Tuesday through Friday at 7:30 PM (with Wednesday matinees at 2:00 PM). Saturday performances are at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Sunday performances are at 2:00 PM with an additional performance on Sunday, October 2 at 7:30 PM. There will be no 2:00 PM performance on Wednesday, September 28. There will be no performances on Thursday, November 24. There will be an additional performance on Friday, November 25 at 2:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office and range from $59-$194 with a few select premium tickets available
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