What I Thought

It started with a car-packed picnic of strawberries, cheese, crackers, my favorite hummus, and time to talk and enjoy each other’s company on a very long drive.



We first visited one of our favorite stores in San Francisco, Bell’occhio’s. This tiny little shoppe always gets my creative juices flowing. While we were there we purchased this romantic little booklet titled, The Kiss.




The next stop: dinner!



Look at this amazing food.





The staff was kind and courteous and made the whole experience a meal to remember.


We then headed off for the Orpheum Theater. I was bubbling with anticipation. I love the Orpheum Theater. It is a beautiful historic building and a must see landmark in San Francisco.



The only photos allowed were of the lobby. If you want a peek inside this beautiful theater visit this link. The carved wood ceiling was unreal.


Now for the part you have been waiting for. What did I think of Wicked?

It was full of energy and the theme was one that tugs at the heart. Almost everyone was weeping around me by the end of the play and that included some of the men. The actress who played Glinda was hysterical. The actress who played Elphaba did a marvelous job of singing. She stayed in control of her voice and never showboated as some performers tend to do today. I have to confess that was my greatest fear. I was afraid the actress performing Elphaba would be a diva and this would ruin the musical for me. I wasn’t disappointed though. She played Elphaba beautifully, with an honest passion in her voice, and she never forced herself to betray the character by over-singing her part to impress the audience. Her voice was clear and sweet, even during her most demanding vocal sections. I really dislike when a performer abuses her voice to impress. This is why I can’t watch American Idol. I cringe through most of the performances on Idol and the judges are too cruel, but I digress . . .

Elphaba was just plain old wonderful to listen to.

Another major standout for me was the set . . . WOWZA!! . . . Love . . . Love . . . Love. The costumes were outrageous, the scenery imaginative, and the lighting was some of the very best I’ve seen in a musical.

My overall impression . . .

I LOVED IT!!

I give this musical production of Wicked two very big thumbs up! If you are visiting SF any time soon, you might want to put this on your To Do list. You won’t be disappointed.

35 comments:

LiLi M. said...

Too bad I am not going to visit San Fransisco in the near future (it is on my bucket list though) because you made the whole trip sound wonderful, from the car drive accompanied by the strawberries until Wicked! Keep this sattisfied feeling for a while, thanks for sharing!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Bonjour ma belle! It is good to see you back in the saddle again! Life must be busy. Just two days of a home project here at the house prevented me from checking my emails and visiting blogs. Your outing sounds wonderful and theatre is so much of what I do in my teaching; seeing professional plays does inspire and what better place next to N.Y.C. to see a play than the wonderful San Francisco. BRAVO! Thinking of you always, Anita

Beneath the Eaves said...

What an enchanting evening.I am so happy for you and your husband. A grand celebration in a grand form.
Debra

Thanks too for the wonderful review. Wish I could attend.

LW said...

Oh Nancy,

It all looks and sounds so wonderful, I am happy to hear that you had
a marvelous time..

I saw your picture of your lovely white shoe in Summerset Life,
it looks great…

I am waiting here with great anticipation to see what you have been up to….

Louise

Maison Douce said...

I saw Wicked with my three girls last year in London and it has become their favorite musical ever since!! Thanks for taking us along on your tour...
Isabel

Janet said...

By the time I got past the food photos I was starving! And then you gave me eye candy and a wonderful review to think about. Coming here is truly a feast for the senses.

Florence said...

Sounds like you had an awesome time.

lorhen82 said...

What a wonderful and romantic evening the two of you had...I just love that you purchased that beautiful book together! The theater is so grand! I'm glad you enjoyed your evening! ~Lori

Unknown said...

I loved your thoughts on the show. I haven't seen Wicked, but I know what you mean about people betraying the character to make themselves stand out. Hollywood is full of that (sorry, Hollywood, but it's true!) and it ruins theatre! Anyway, sounds like a nice experience.

By chance I just met your SIL Anita here in blogland! I've decided that blogland is getting to be a "Small town" with all of the people I've met and some of their families! It's great. I love "small towns", LOL! ((Hugs))!

Jdee said...

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful dinner out and the show with us! I read Wicked and loved it. Who could not love Elphaba?
xoxxo

Ulla said...

Sounds like you two had a wonderful time! So well deserved! CONGRATULATIONS!!! I love when art, theatre and music come together like this...
Can't wait to see it myself!
Kiss kiss
Ulla

starrynightimpressions said...

Sounds devine! Theatre, food, hubby.
Pure romance!
Can't ask for anything better then that :)
starrydeborah

bluemuf said...

Nancy, I'm so glad you enjoy Wicked. I loved it. What a gorgeous theater, great meal and wonderful company. A memory maker.

Hugs Karen

rochambeau said...

SO Great Nancy! Thank you for your beautiful photos and for the reviews!

Nice to know it was wonderful!!!
xox
Constance

Such a Wondrous Place this Faery Space said...

Dreamy day! Blessings.

Margaret said...

It sounds like you had a fabulous time! I adore SF--my husband and I honeymooned there and it's one of my favourite spots on earth. Hopefully we'll get a chance to go again before too long!

Unknown said...

Hi!
Fantastic blog!The photos are fantastics.I'm wating your visit

Anonymous said...

Wicked is indeed a great production.
I've missed you.

NeereAnDear said...

OH my.....What a culinary delight ..... not only are your photos heavenly.... but the mouth waters as one can only wish it was their taste buds on the receiving end of every fabulous bite.....

I love your critique of the play/musical.... I saw the Tony awards with the original singer... whose name escapes me at the moment .... it looked like it was filled with such fun and whimsy....

So happy that you enjoyed it all... what a wonderful way to spend a lovely anniversay

LOTS OF HUGS
JO

Lori said...

Nancy, that sounds like a perfect day...i am glad that you and your sweetheart had such a great time:)

Brissonte' said...

Thank goodness I just finished supper or my computer screen would be in danger. How do you get those amazing photographs??? I am in awe. I especially like the photo of the hands. There is so much character in them. I wish my daughter would draw them.

Rosemary said...

Hi Nancy,
I saw it too! It was amazing!!
What a wonderful day and evening you had.
Thanks for sharing,
Rosemary

Gabriela said...

Ahhhhhh SF!
Lucky to have the chance to visit it twice...waiting for another one...

Are those lotus plant deep fried slices? Yummy!


~ Gabriela ~

Mrs. Cherry Heart said...

What a beautiful romantic day filled with such wonderful memories!

Thank you for taking us along with you two!

Hugz, Dolly

Rebecca Ramsey said...

Oh that food looks like works of art! Your photography is amazing.
I'm glad you enjoyed Wicked! I"ve always wanted to go.

Anonymous said...

Your blog is amazing. Following you! Agneta from Sweden

Unknown said...

Hi!
I'm glad you visit my blog. Your's so nice and,too.Please, Would you follow me, because I'm afraid lost your blog.
kisses

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Thanks for your visit Nancy. I will be working very hard on this assignment and any prayers would be appreciated! I will continue to follow all my blog pals, but I really have no business writing posts at the moment!!! Bisous, Anita

Stephenie said...

This is like the yummiest post ever...That food looks amazing..I've always wanted to go to San Fransico...Thanks for sharing...Your pictures look amazing..
Stephenie

rozetta said...

I saw Wicked and it was fabulous! We saw it at the old Pantages theatre in Hollywood. Elphaba's costuming was perfect.

I must say, though that the old Wizard of Oz with Judy Garland may never be the same for me.

~elaine~

Marie Reed said...

What a heavenly getaway! You must still be glowing from it!

June said...

Oh it does sound wonderful. I'm so glad to hear another person say that they don't like the way some performers over sing. It has always spoiled a good song for. I love the pure tone of a person's voice. I don't watch 'Idol' either for a lot of reasons, but that is the main one. I am so glad you had a lovey time and your photos are amazing as usual.

Elyse said...

dinner looked delish!

i have heard great reviews of wicked. i believe it is traveling around, too.

coming soon to a beautiful theater near you!

xo

Sandy said...

What a wonderful and romantic evening! I would love to see Wicked and sitting in the Orpheum Theater would be icing on the cake!

Wow, I had no idea you sing as well as create the most delicate and beautiful of things, so much talent!

I hope you have a wonderfully blessed week!

Creations by Marie Antoinette and Edie Marie said...

I'm so happy you had a wonderful experiance.Everything looked just to gorgeous for words.I hope one day to see Wicked,cause it sure sounds wonderful.You take care and let me know more about that kissing book...LOL
XXOO Marie Antionette