Last night I was able to attend the opening night of the renowned production, Wicked in Toronto. I was really looking forward to watching this musical because I remember the story and almost watching it when I was a child. Read my review below to learn more about the production and what to expect including tips about food, merchandise, and more. Before you read below, make sure to follow on social media (TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook) for more Toronto content like this! For a visual preview see below.
Venue
I saw the show at the Princess of Wales Theatre located at 300 King St West. This was also the same theatre where I saw Hamilton (another Mirvish Production). There is parking at the corner of the theatre and accessible via public transit but I would recommend parking at a garage nearby since it gets really packed when the show ends. The doors opened at 7 for my 7:30 show which gives you time to use the washroom, grab some snacks, and check out the merchandise.
Tickets
To be completely frank, I almost forgot about the show because of how far in advance we bought tickets. We bought the tickets back in October via Amex for $149 each which was a bit cheaper than Hamilton. The center orchestra seats provide a great view as these pictures and my clips for the video are not even zoomed in. During this play, I really got to see so many details of the performers and the costumes eg., the wigs, microphones, and the spit as well as some of the stage crew behind the curtain. Mind you this was not a bad thing for me if anything it made me appreciate the seats and the amazing effort these performers and crew put in. The seats are a bit crammed together so be mindful and I would recommend stretching a bit during intermission.
Merchandise
I couldn’t take a proper picture of the merchandise because it was really busy when I entered and exited the theatre but something I did notice is that they had a QR code to redirect them to the Ozdust Boutique, the official site for Wicked the Musical! I believe there are more options online than in-person and maybe you can grab something before you see the show.
Food and drinks
The options for food and snacks are limited and overpriced so I highly recommend eating beforehand (e.g., I spent $4.50 for water). However, I strongly suggest you go to the CAA lounge for more space to sit and eat and if you have your membership card you can scan it for a free cup of coffee and cookie while supplies last (coffee is always there but the staff said she wasn’t sure how long the promotion for free coffee last).
Story
Wicked is considered a Broadway classic for its engaging musical numbers, fun costumes, and sets, but I think because of the story and message it shares. If you’re not familiar with Wicked, it tells the story of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz. In this production, you’ll see familiar characters from a different perspective filled with comedy, plot twists, and character developments. Personally, I am not very familiar with the story but I am aware of some of the characters so me I appreciated the storytelling. I felt that the the main message of embracing your uniqueness, being fearless in being different, and standing up for what you believe in despite the world being against you was consistent throughout and the performers did an amazing job conveying those emotions. I am not a big fan of the music and total duration (I believe it was almost three hours) because I felt a little tired in the first act and felt some of the jokes were a bit forced, however in act two it was much more smooth and I didn’t feel tired at all. What I also loved was the stage production with the lights, smoke, and moving sets filled with great props, and of course, the dragon looked really cool as well. I also felt that the timing of everything was so well executed from the orchestra to the stage crew moving sets. Therefore, even though I appreciated the story and don’t think it was my favourite musical, I know any fans of Wicked will absolutely love it and others would still appreciate it.
Overall and Recommendations
If I was to give a rating out of ten, I would say that it is at minimum an eight out of ten and that’s just my personal rating as I am sure people will give it much higher. I wonder if it would be possible to adjust the acts a bit but given how detailed and prestigious this musical is, I doubt that is possible and once again, just my personal preference. That being said, I do think people would still enjoy the performance especially because these actors sang incredibly and their voices really gave more life to the overall performance. I also want to note that if you are going to leave your seat during intermission remember to keep it brief as I felt it wasn’t that long and there is no announcement to go back, it just starts. Let me know your thoughts on social media and stay tuned to more Toronto events by following on social media on Instagram, Facebook, & TikTok!
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