Lemons and melons and pears. Oh my!

My mom and aunt were in town this weekend, and as tradition with the post-Thanksgiving visit goes, one of us had to be sick. This year, it was my turn. I was definitely more than a little green around the gills -- so much so that we nearly canceled our trip to see Wicked at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. And the mere thought of doing so is unacceptable.

UNACCEPTABLE.

I saw Wicked for the first time back on Halloween. (See the picture above.) While I definitely enjoyed the show, it wasn't until I started listening to the soundtrack that I became hooked. Knowing that my mother loves Phantom of the Opera, I decided that we should go when she and Kelli visited in December. The show was sold out, but luckily I know someone who knows someone who knows someone and we were able to buy tickets anyway.

We were on the seventh row on the floor this time. I can't even describe the feeling of sitting there watching these people sing their hearts out. By the middle of the first verse of "The Wizard and I," I had tears on my cheeks. Don't get me started on the flying. Or "As Long as You're Mine" (hoooottttt). Or "For Good." (There were some real tears going on there.) The show is beautiful and technologically amazing, but I think what had me going back -- and has me wanting to go back again -- is its ability to make you feel. It's the friendships and the blissful naivete of young adulthood. It's that blissful naivete crashing to the ground. It's that realization that someone actually loves you -- and accepting the fact that you are actually worthy of that love...

Eden Espinosa and Megan Hilty (and Emily Rozek, who we saw in the performance this past weekend) make you feel every moment of that. Eden is just phenomenal as Elphaba -- her voice gives me chills just thinking about it. There are several YouTube clips that I could link to for evidence, but the sound quality doesn't do her justice.

If you live in Los Angeles (or will be visiting) in the next few months, make sure to get tickets and see the show. As of right now, it's set to close in early May 2008, but based on the fact that it's still selling out nearly a year later, I wouldn't be surprised to see the engagement extended. Eden's last show is December 30, so if you get a chance to see it before the end of the year, you should.

(And if you want to buy me a ticket, I'll go with you! Ha!)