5 ways to get even more pumped for ‘Wicked’

READ the novel that inspired the show. Gregory Maguire’s “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,” first released in 1996, is currently on National Book Store’s Top 10 Fiction Bestsellers list and we’re not surprised. This was the book that inspired composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz to create the Tony Award-winning musical. Get a dose of Elphaba and Glinda before the curtains open at the CCP by picking up the book.

Available at National Book Store for P299.

‘Wicked’ manicure

Give yourself a “Wicked” manicure. To celebrate the Broadway show’s 10th anniversary, New York-based nail polish queen and “Wicked” fan Deborah Lippmann created a special limited edition “Wicked” collection inspired by Oz and its colorful characters. The set includes three colors named after some of the musical’s most memorable songs: “Popular” (Glinda’s glistening pink); “Defying Gravity” (Elphaba’s unlimited green); and “One Short Day” (emerald glitter). You can wear the shades on their own or layer them to create your own unique “Wicked” mani. Rustan’s The Beauty Source brought in the collection in time for the show’s run in Manila.

Deborah Lippmann’s Wicked set is available at Rustan’s for P1,250.

Original cast recording

Listen to the Original 2003 Broadway Cast Recording. We won’t deny it, we’ve had the CD playing nonstop since October.

“Wicked: A New Musical (Original 2003 Broadway Cast Recording)” is available at Astroplus, Odyssey Music & Video and Fully Booked for P395. It’s also available online via Smart Music (www.smart.com.ph/music).

‘Wizard of Oz’ DVD

Watch the 1939 “Wizard of Oz” movie starring Judy Garland as Dorothy. This classic film is based on L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” the same novel that inspired Gregory Maguire to write “Wicked.” You don’t need to be familiar with the Judy Garland movie to enjoy “Wicked” the musical, but if you’ve seen the film, you will get some tongue-in-cheek references and spot some surprises during the show.

Collectors Edition boxes set of “The Wizard of Oz” which includes four DVDs and a soundtrack CD is available at Astroplus for P2,950.

TV moments

Witness “Wicked” moments in pop culture. Its reach has gone beyond theaters all over the world. If you’ve never seen the show but the songs already seem familiar, that’s because the musical has had some great moments on TV in the past decade (a number of which you can find on YouTube). There are six minutes of “Wicked” goodness in Ugly Betty’s “Something Wicked This Way Comes”  (season two, episode six) with guests from the cast members of “Wicked’s” LA production. Our favorite part? Betty Suarez (America Ferrera) and Henry Grubstick (Christopher Gorham) accidentally making their Broadway debut on Glinda’s bubble. “Glee’s” Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer) and Rachel Berry (Lea Michele) have two wicked “Wicked” performances: their “Defying Gravity” diva-off (season one, episode nine) and their sweeter “For Good” duet (season two, episode 22). And although they don’t sing “Wicked” tunes on the show, the guest spots of Idina Menzel, Broadway’s original Elphaba, and Kristin Chenoweth, Broadway’s original Glinda, are worth a watch, too. In “New Girl,” Winston Bishop (Lamorne Morris) sings along to the cast recording of “Defying Gravity” and “Popular” while driving to Mexico (season one, episode 18). More recently, in an episode of “Super Fun Night” last month (season one, episode eight), Kimmie Boubier (Rebel Wilson) and her friends use “Defying Gravity” as her motivational song. Kimmie also sings a heartbreaking but funny rendition of “I’m Not That Girl” in the same episode.