I went to see Wicked at the Murat Theatre at Old National Centre last Thursday. I’m still humming “Defying Gravity.” My brother laughed at me at breakfast the next day. Fair. If you’re new to the story, the musical’s origins are detailed nicely on Wikipedia. For an even deeper dive into the production and venue quirks, you can peek at my separate play-by-play of the same night.
Getting There: Parking, Snacks, and a Tiny Panic
I parked in the surface lot on Alabama Street. It was $20, card only. Not cheap, but close. I could’ve saved a few bucks with street parking, but I didn’t want to circle the block. I get anxious before shows. You too?
Before the show, I grabbed a quick bite on Mass Ave—two tacos from Condado and a lime Jarritos. Light, fast, and no sauce down my shirt. A win. If tacos aren’t calling your name, I recently chowed through a slew of local Chinese spots and rounded up the hits (and a few misses) that are worth bookmarking for your next pre-show meal.
Security at the door was quick. Small bags only. My crossbody was fine. The usher scanned my phone, smiled, and pointed me to the left. Friendly helps.
My Seat and the View
I sat in Orchestra Left, Row M, Seat 6. Good angle. I could see the conductor down in the pit, which I like. The dragon above the stage looked huge and a little spooky. It moved its eyes, which made the teen next to me whisper “whoa.” Same, kid.
Leg room? Medium. I’m 5'7", and my knees didn’t touch. Seats are old-school plush, so they squeak a bit when folks settle in. It felt cozy, like a big red hug.
The Show Itself: Big Voices, Big Feelings
Right from “No One Mourns the Wicked,” the chorus filled the room. The mix was loud, but not too loud. I could hear the words. That matters in a story like this.
Glinda floated down in her bubble, sparkly and bright. She played “Popular” like your funniest friend—big gestures, perfect timing. The timing of the hairbrush bit landed. People cackled. Me included.
Elphaba? Wow. “Defying Gravity” gave me chills. The last note held steady and clean. Lights hit green, fog rolled, and yes, she flew. I looked around and saw phones stay down. Folks were actually present. That’s rare and nice.
The Emerald City scene was a feast—neon green, wild hats, quick steps, and that tight rhythm that feels like a heartbeat. Later, “For Good” got quiet. Two voices, close and warm. I heard someone sniffle behind me. Okay, it was me too.
Small Snags (Because Nothing’s Perfect)
- Sound got a little muddy in two spots during Act 1, near the back of Row M. Not awful, but I missed a line or two.
- Merch was pricey. T-shirts were $45, and the sweatshirt was more. Cute designs though. The green one tempted me.
- Lines at the women’s restroom at intermission were long. I hopped down a level and got in faster. Tip: move, don’t wait.
The Crowd and the Feel
Full house. Kids, grandparents, date nights, and a few sparkly headbands. If you’re hunting for romantic ideas beyond the theater, I’ve road-tested plenty—here’s what worked, what flopped, and what felt like magic. For readers leaning toward a more chill, no-strings approach to companionship, you can scope out nearby possibilities on the friends-with-benefits board, where locals post looking for casual hangs without the dating fuss. If you happen to be on the West Coast and want a comparable, location-specific option, the San Gabriel edition of Doublelist over at Doublelist San Gabriel offers a focused feed of real-time listings so you can line up low-key meet-ups without endless scrolling.
The ushers kept things smooth, even with late arrivals. No major phone glow near me. Bless them.
When the dragon flared and the lights flashed, I felt the whole room lean in. It’s funny—Wicked is a big show, but it makes you feel close. You care about these two women. You root for both. That’s rare.
Timing, Costs, and Little Extras
- My ticket was $97 plus fees. Mid-range. Worth it.
- The show ran about 2 hours and 45 minutes with one intermission.
- Drinks were around $14. I got a Sprite in a spill-proof cup. You can bring it to your seat. Nice touch.
- Doors opened about an hour early. Being inside early helped me relax and people-watch, which I love.
Need the nitty-gritty on box office hours, accepted payment methods, or accessibility details? You can find all of that on the theatre’s ticket info page.
Tips If You’re Going
- Seats: Center Orchestra Rows H–N are sweet. First Balcony Center, first 3–5 rows, also strong.
- Parking: If you stress, pay the lot. If not, street parking and a short walk work fine.
- Eat: Mass Ave is your friend. Quick bites beat long waits.
- Comfort: Bring a light sweater. The theater runs cool.
- Timing: Get there 45 minutes early. You’ll breathe easier, and the lobby ceilings are fun to stare at.
- Stay: If you decide to make a whole weekend of it, I checked into four boutique hotels downtown and shared my honest take—handy if you want to slip from curtain call straight into crisp hotel sheets.
If you want a broader rundown of arts happenings around town, check out the always-updated listings at ALCO before you pick your seats.
So, Was It Worth It?
Yes. I smiled a lot. I teared up once. I clapped so hard my palms stung. I thought I didn’t like long musicals. Then this one flew by. Funny how that happens.
You know what stuck with me? The friendship. The way a single choice can tilt a life. Simple idea. Big feeling.
I’d go again and bring my mom. She loves a good belt and a happy cry. Next time, I might try First Balcony dead center. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll get that green sweatshirt. If my budget behaves.