Wicked

 

We were fortunate to see the original broadway production that with Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel.  It blew us away and we sang the songs as a family every since.  I didn't anticipate any performance being better than that power duo.

About 5 minutes into the opening scene of Wicked I knew that this was going to be special.  I was not prepared for how impactful the entire movie was going to be.  The combination of direction, acting, music set production, close up cinematography and performance was absolutely brilliant.  Probably the best musical production I have ever seen.  

What was special about it were the amazing musical performances. There were a few magical moments in particular that left a lasting impression.

  

1. Elphaba's first number "The Wizard and I" gave me chills and was so privately emotional it made me believe in almost a new story because of the way she brought it to life. Her desire to meet the wizard.  Her outward expression of hope contrasting her inner battle of guilt and self-doubt as whe runs out to the wheat fields with her arms thrown upwards and outwards inviting all the possibilities into her life.

2. Elphaba's unsettling and horribly humiliating yet haunting entrance and solo dance at the Ozdust.  The way she conveyed her excruciating painful, quiet solo expresssion of dance of humiliation, isolation and rejection.  I could feel the grit in her teeth as she pushed herself forward accepting the jeers from the crowd but not letting them change who she was.   She knew she had been targeted and knew the crushing crucible she was allowing herself to be exposed to, yet she knew she had to perform her personal but quiet outrage through her particular brand of solo expression.  She was a victim of abuse, but she did not accept the invitation of victim stance.  It was difficult to not be completely sucked into that moment with her, experiecing it almost first hand.

She won in the end.  A very private victory through a very public belittling. I liked how they helped Glinda find a way to work through her own conflicting pride and self-centeredness in her attempt to sit in grief with Elphaba.  This was a beautiful example of what we all go through when we have to decide how far we will go to someone's aid.  I loved the way they showed this breakthrough of growth.

This echoes a pattern set by someone else who had a very private victory over a very public belittling.  There is no comparison as He bore all of our shame, guilt, self-doubt and sin on his solitary shoulders and lowered himself beyond all to get that win.  The ultimate humiliation......the ultimate rejection......and the ultimate win we all needed.  I appreciated being reminded of such.

3. "Popular "- This was simply an amazing performance by Ariana.  The set design, the choreography and her own interpretation was so on point.  Perfectly executed.  Her dance was so all over the place but it worked because of her self assuredness and confidence in this area of expertise = Popularity.  It was Glinda at her best.....even if knowingly shallow.  It was all she knew how to give and she happily gave it.    Do we give our best gifts away with as much exuberance as Glinda did?  I know many who do.  A few I know do it with unusual flair and and a few who do it subtely......both work.

4. "Defying Gravity" - There are simply too many magical moments in this carefully crafted and executed performance.  The believable acting, the emotionality and then the majesty of the music.  How could Stephen Schwartz have known how big this number would be.  The lessons are many.....

I often feel as though the world has its own gravity on our spirituality and who we can be.  It is a very heavy force that can pull us down.  It takes the kind of powerful awakening like Elphaba has to find the courage and energy to defy it.  What a fantastic word - "Defy"  It isn't just resistance that resonates with me.... it is the willful refusal to obey that which is not righteous.  I do not believe anyone can watch this performance and not be completely overwhelmed by inspiration.  It is so moving and I loved it.  Her amazing leap over the parapet with her grand cloak waving in after her -- Ha! Pretty powerful.   We all want to make that leap in our own lives.  Elphaba gives us the invitation to follow......

There are many moments in this film that are just choice. Little looks, little feet pointed out, little details that bring it all to life. It was an amazing experience that I thoroughly enjoyed.  How wonderful it is to have talent in this world.

“Cause getting your dreams

It's strange, but it seems

A little -- well -- complicated

There's a kind of a sort of : cost

There's a couple of things get : lost

There are bridges you cross

You didn't know you crossed

Until you've crossed.”

― Stephen Schwartz, 

The Miracle of Emerson

 

One would think that it wouldn't take 6 months before a grand parent would post something about their first grand kid.  Now, others have, including his grandmother, but I haven't, until now.

It's been difficult because I wasn't prepared for what he and his arrival would mean.  I wasn't ready for the profound impact he immediately had on my heart.  

He came in with some struggles including two tiny pefect little feet that were perfectly turned in.... yes, some dorkface somehow got approval to call it "Club Feet" of all horrid names, but in Emerson's case, there were never a cuter pair than his.  He already made something the world would see as someting disfigured into something beautiful.   That my friends.... was only the beginning.

He stayed in the ICU for a few days for other reasons than coming early but he cleared all those early hurdles like a champ.

Yes, he was one more unit, one more body in the a world of billions, and yes, he followed the normal path everyone takes, but for some reason so much about Emerson has not been normal.....to me.

I like to watch things and people..... I watch Emerson and I watch people that surrounded him, including me.  That was one of the first miracles I watched.  If there was a single glimmer that he might show up, or if there was a picture taken of him, or a hint that there might an Emerson sighting or that we could go see him never ever have I seen people literally drop what they were doing instantly to move in his direction......and with enormouse energy and haste!  Never have I seen more squealing of his grandmother or his youngest aunt.  I have never uttered such ridiculous baby talk in my life. 

Did I expect to be in awe, and to be excited to hold him and do all the hundreds of things that every grandparent does?  Yes!  for sure.  Did I know we would totally have to invest in every single baby toy, crib, car seat that he had at his house to be at ours?  I forgot about that one, but ok.... Did I know that we would be spending some serious babysitting time with him?  Yes! For sure. 

What I did not expect was the overflowing love that so powerfully pours into my soul when he is present.  The level of anticipation, excitement and need that we all seem to require of him is completely ridiculous and extreme......and I don't ever want that very special feeling to ever go away.

He seems to be paying attention to all of us.  He seems to be watching us as well.  He is taking everything in....absorbing and reflecting it appears.  Then the occasional crazy smiles that send us to the stratosphere.

I cannot believe how important and meaningful it has been to watch Chelta and Alexa in particular react and act with him.  It is an undescribable joy that I hope to understand.  I feel my own sense of it, but it seems different with them. It's an unending craving that is special to witness.  The spark that Emerson creates within us is so special and can only be described as divine.  There is something about him saving us that I can put my finger on, but I know there is some truth to that.  He somehow heals....

What is the most curious mystery to me is that I am sure I felt all these things when we had our own babies but something is markedly different.  I can't tell if its because we aren't around him 24/7, which makes a lot of sense.  Or if it's because what everyone says about being able to "send them back to their parents" after each visit.  Maybe.....  at the end of the day, I simply don't care.  This feeling of not being able to get enough of him is miraculous.  His little spirit has an immense draw on others.  He draws people to him.  He is like a gatherer.  He is like glue that brings us all together. His innocence changes our tone, what we watch on TV, how we talk and he sets a calming spirit.   He casts magic that we didn't know we needed.

I am astounded at how he influences our behavior, thoughts and feelings.  It is impossible to be around him and not want to be a better person.  I know, every grandparent is the same.  Thank God then for grandchildren if what I am experiencing is a 10th part of what everyone else does.  

Alexa and Chelta - never stop squealing or racing to get to him first, it completely completes my day.

Emerson, if only one day we could somehow tell you what you have meant to us there will be lots of tears and very few words.....Thank you for waiting to come now.  You are a miracle that we needed.