My Unhealthy Obsession With Wicked

Any long-time reader or friend of mine would know that I have this unhealthy and somewhat ridiculous obsession with the musical, Wicked.

So imagine what I felt when I found out that the rumours about Wicked coming to the Philippines were actually true. The joy I felt was unparalleled. I was through the roof with excitement. I told myself that I had - had - to watch it more than once because for a fanboy like me, watching it once is completely unforgivable.

As of the moment, I have booked 3 tickets. The first is for January 23 and I will be watching with my friend Mariah. The second is for Feb 15 with Gregory. I wanted to watch it on valentines day but considering the show is at 7:30pm and traffic that day will be a bitch, we opted for the day after. Third will be on Feb 23 which is also the last performance of the show and I will be with Gregory and 2 of our friends.

I waited 8 years for this show to come to the Philippines. Yes, I watched it back in 2012 when I was Singapore and yes, it's the same cast that will be here but I still want to watch it more than once.

I remember a few years ago, watching the show seemed like a pipe dream for me. It was something that seemed impossible because at the time, the only productions were on Broadway, West End, Stuttgart (Germany), Melboure and Osaka.

Now, it's finally here.

Up to this day, I do not know why I am obsessed with Wicked. It has baffled many of my friends and recently, colleagues but it has also baffled me for quite some time now. I don't know but there's just something so magical and surreal about the show that gives me comfort and a sense of tranquility.

Do I see myself in the character of Elphaba, an outcast. Someone who has been on the outside looking in. Feared, judged, hated for the wrong reasons. Maybe. Maybe not. I don't know. It may sound ludicrous, me spending that much money for a show I could watch once but that's not how I see it from my own point of view. I see it as the fulfilment to a wish I had many years ago.

I have read all the books and have watched bootleg copies of the show more times than I care to admit but I never get tired of the show. From the moment the curtains rise and the music starts playing, I get transported to the wonderful land of OZ and for 2 and a half hours, I manage to escape from everything. It's quite the rush, if I'm being honest.

Once I asked myself, what if the day comes that I get over my crazy obsession with Wicked. It's been 5 years since I asked myself that. I'll probably look for another show but I know that a part of me will always love Wicked. Listen to me, I sound like a crazy person.

But like I said, there's just something so magical about the whole thing. The music, the story, the characters. Pure bliss.

So I've booked for 3 shows. Who knows, maybe it'll become 4. We'll see.