Jeff and I had the amazing opportunity to see Wicked at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. last summer. Aside from our dancing video and reuniting with my high school friends, a highlight of the trip was seeing this Broadway show. We weren’t planning on seeing the musical, but we went to a Washington National’s baseball game and Dee Roscioli sang the national anthem and it was the most beautiful rendition I ever heard. The announcer mentioned that she was starring as Elphaba in the Broadway musical, Wicked. I gave Jeff that look and he knew we were going to have to see the musical if there was any possibility.

Jeff and I got back to the hotel room, we ordered tickets for the following night, and had one of the best nights of our life. We even got to meet Dee after the show.

When we left the show, I was moved to tears. Music is so powerful. I told Jeff on the plane back to Phoenix, that if Wicked comes to town, we MUST take the kids.

So several months later we drove by a billboard for Wicked and Jeff looked at me and smiled. So for Valentine’s Day, Jeff went to the Gammage Theater box office to buy tickets. He told the ticket salesperson that he wanted us to have decent tickets, so that the kids would be able to see it. He told Jeff the options, but Jeff wasn’t happy with the options or the price. Then Jeff explained that this was a gift and an item on my life list. The salesperson kept searching and then asked Jeff, “Do you mind going in the middle of the week with the kids?” Jeff said we could go any night. Jeff ended up scoring great seats for the SAME price as the tickets in the back of the theatre. He said, “These tickets weren’t here just a second ago,” and scratched his head. Magic I tell you, magic.

Moods had been dampened over the past week, with losing the house, my car being hit in a parking lot, and Hank our dog has been missing for a couple of days. They say bad things come in three’s and I have to tend to agree with that this week. So this night was a welcomed relief.

We left Sam with a baby sitter and made a full night of it. We dressed up, ate Italian food at Oregano’s, and embarrassed the kids with taking pictures in front of people by the movie sign. I had to take extra pictures because the sun had gone down (and I don’t have a flash on my camera), and those extra pictures caused teenager anxiety for Rebecca. The pictures were poor quality but I’m still glad I have them.

We got into the theater and I than began to realize how good of seats Jeff got. By great seats, I mean front row. We were so close that Emily had to get boosters to see over the orchestra wall. After seeing the faces, feeling the power of their voices, seeing the details in the elaborate costumes, well I don’t think I could ever imagine being far away. I have a confession, I possibly might be a seat snob now. That’s not a good thing, considering we can’t afford to be front row ticket snobs. Yikes.

Wicked was awe inspiring and my best word to describe the music was palpable. I could feel the lyrics, the emotions, and the amazing power of their voices. At the Kennedy Center, Elphaba (the Wicked Witch) had the most powerful voice, but last night Glinda(the Good witch) had the best voice and was wicked funny.

I loved looking over at the kids and seeing them with mouths on the ground, giggling, or smiling. Before we could ask the kids what they thought, Emily was shouting during the standing ovation for the performers, “Can we come back and see this tomorrow night?”

Rebecca’s review was summed up in her Facebook post of “BEST.PLAY.EVER.” And Ben loved the twist at the end (but I won’t be a spoiler).

So another item marked off my 39 list – my journey to complete 39 things before I turn 39 next November. Working on several other items right now, so it’s going to be a fun filled March.

Blessings sweet friends – Jenny

Edit: Hank was found a couple of hours after this was posted. We are reunited and it feels so good! {cue music in the background}.

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