Elphaba and Glinda freaking killed it

It's been a while since the Oscars have been very exciting to me.  I had a period in my youth when I was really into movies and tried to see all the Best Picture nominees that I could, and the show was an event that I even looked forward to (that and the VMAs, for some reason...!).  So, I didn't watch last night, but when I realized that Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande had performed, I checked it out ASAP.  And holy shit.

I am a fan of Oz in general.  It's quintessential American fantasy that I grew up with.  I looked just now and was a little surprised that the only time I've even mentioned it on here is when I referenced it fairly vaguely in a discussion of the history of interplanar portals.  But I dig it in a lot of the forms in which I've consumed it, and last year's first installment of Wicked is honestly one of the most immediately captivating movies I've ever seen.  (It did win awards for costumes and production design last night, both for very good reason.)

Anyway, the fact that Elphaba and Glinda also perform songs from The Wizard of Oz and The Wiz makes this an even more interesting performance.  And they...freaking...killed it.  What's that?  Oh...no, I just have something in my eye...  (As did Michelle Yeoh at the end of that clip, which is really sweet.)

Honestly...and this might be hyperbole that I rethink once it's sat with me for a while...if you had to pick out a few things to show an alien species as representations of humanity's achievements, you could do a lot worse than showing them this clip.  I mean...the Einstein field equations probably have to be in there, and maybe a selection of different expressions of the Golden Rule or something.  But if you want to show that we're a beautiful species who made beautiful art?  This'll do.

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I don't think I've ever gamed in Oz at all, although I've thought a lot about it.  I backed Double Critical's Adventures in Oz Kickstarter and have enjoyed looking through the campaign PDF.  Unfortunately, unless something has changed or changes, it doesn't look like some (maybe any?) of us are going to be getting the physical rewards we signed on for, which is a shame but one of the hazards of taking part in crowdfunding.  So, I can't necessarily suggest picking up the book because there are creators who follow through who probably deserve your cash more...BUT it's a cool sourcebook, and I could easily see myself using it eventually.  Maybe the Monstrous Matters team will encounter some flying monkeys at some point...