Wicked

When I was in 6th grade my best friend Christina, her mother, my mother, and I went into New York City to see the Broadway show Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre. I'd already seen my fair of broadway shows at that point, but Wicked was nothing like I had ever seen before. From the decor of the theatre to the prop scenery before the curtains open, I was blown away from the first note. I have always been a Wizard of Oz fan- it's not thanksgiving until i've watched it after dinner, and to see the backstory was a truly special moment for me. By the next weekend, I had listened to the soundtrack enough times to know all the words to every single song performed.
One of the favorite songs, Defying Gravity, is truly a treat to see in show. At the highly climatic end of the song, our Elphaba is seen to be defying gravity while she hits a high F. I had always wondered how she was able to soar above the stage with no visible wires or harnesses, but I finally learned that Elphaba runs across stage to a hidden deck and then takes off. It’s operated by the actress herself so when she steps in the device it locks and she's standing on a steel plate. The whole thing lifts her off the ground and it looks like her skirt is extending forever and she’s flying. The device is locked around her waist so there’s no way for her to get out unless she presses the release button. Makes it seem a lot less magical, but definitely better than visible strings, (and safer).
I also thought it was very cool that they use MAC eyeshadow to make Elphaba her famous green color instead of a gross green body paint.