The highly anticipated film “Wicked” opened in theaters on Nov. 22, shattering box office records and surpassing “Grease” as the highest-grossing musical film adaptation of all time, raking in an impressive $190 million on the first weekend, according to IMDb. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo take center stage in this cinematic masterpiece, enchanting theater enthusiasts and moviegoers. But would the magic of this Broadway phenomenon be enough to captivate two sports-obsessed teenage boys?
Armed with popcorn, recliners and a sprinkle of optimism, I decided to test this theory. The stakes were high — particularly with a nail-biting Michigan State vs. UNC basketball game at play that had a chance of heading into overtime.
Before bringing my brothers onto this adventure, I watched the movie with another crowd on Nov. 25. My verdict? A solid 10 out of 10. Naturally I wanted to share this masterpiece with my teenage brothers, who — despite their skepticism (and possible dread) – agreed to join me for a screening the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving.
The journey began with a promised pit stop at Taco Bell before we made our way to an AMC theater in Bellevue, Washington. Recliner seats, buttered popcorn and candy promised the ultimate viewing experience — with two key details I decided not to share until arrival. First, “Wicked” is not only a two-and-a-half-hour movie but a full-blown musical, a fact both of my brothers were not aware of. Second, thanks to the film’s popularity, the only available seats were in the front row.
We arrived just in time for the opening number, “No One Mourns the Wicked,” a number Grande did spectacularly as bright colored dresses and costumes dazzled on the screen.
My brothers had other priorities, however. Barely five minutes into the film, I caught the glow of a small screen beside me. Sure enough, they were watching the basketball game.
“It’s about to head into overtime!” my 18-year-old brother exclaimed, as if this justified splitting their attention between the magical world of Oz and college basketball.
A nail-biting overtime spectacle claimed half of my brothers’ attention, as both of them alternated between the film and their phones. Yet during musical moments like “Popular,” I caught them sneaking glances at the big screen and even humming along. The power of social media, where “Popular” has been trending, seemed to work in the musical’s favor.
Watching “Wicked” from the front row in reclined seats was an experience in itself, one that my brothers were not thrilled about. Imagine a “Wicked” themed amusement park ride: bright and larger than life … for two hours.
After what felt like an eternity, the Michigan State Spartans took a victory over the University of North Carolina Tar Heels, with a final score of 94-91. With the game at an end, I noticed a shift in attention for my brothers.
By the time “Defying Gravity” soared into the climax (an extraordinary performance by Cynthia Erivo), their phones were firmly face down and their eyes were glued to the screen. The film wrapped up and my brothers were both shocked and disappointed to learn it was only Part One, with Part Two set to release in November 2025, according to Forbes.
Standing up from our recliner seats at 9:45 p.m., I held my breath waiting for the reaction of my two brothers.
“You know what?” one said. “That was actually pretty good.”
“Yeah,” said the other. “Better than I expected.”
Mission accomplished. The power of great storytelling — and a little musical magic — triumphed over basketball overtime. For now, anyway.
Till next year …
Tessa Balc 
Tony Le Calvez