We’re Officially in Our Wicked Era, and Pittsburgh Made It Complete

This is the part where I admit something.

My fifteen-year-old daughter Lainee and I are fully in our Wicked era.

Not casually. Not “we like the songs.”

I mean calendar-planning, merch-noticing, core-memory-making Wicked era.

It started with a dream she had carried for years. Seeing Wicked on Broadway, in New York City, at Christmas time. As a mom, that felt like one of those moments you try to make happen if you can. So last November, right before the second Wicked movie premiered, I took her to NYC. The city was completely immersed. Wicked themed menus, pop-ups, performances on the street, green everywhere. It all built toward the Broadway show, which was incredible.

When Wicked was announced in Pittsburgh, close to home, it felt like fate. We had to complete the trifecta.

New York City.
The second movie.
And now, Wicked in Pittsburgh at the Benedum.

What we didn’t expect was how much Creative Conversations would elevate the entire experience.

Seeing Wicked in Pittsburgh Felt Different, in a Good Way

There is something special about seeing a show you love in your own city. The Benedum has that old-world theater magic. Ornate details, buzzing lobby energy, and a crowd that clearly showed up ready for a moment, not just a performance.

The touring production of Wicked absolutely holds up. The scale is there. The emotional beats land. And if you’ve seen it before, you still catch yourself getting chills at all the right moments.

But this night felt layered. And that started before we ever took our seats.

Creative Conversations Is the Move You Didn’t Know You Needed

Before the show, we attended Creative Conversations, held at the Trust Arts Education Center, just a short walk from the Benedum Center.

If you’re unfamiliar, Creative Conversations is a free, pre-show event that offers a behind-the-scenes conversation with members of the touring company. It’s hosted by local artists and designed to give you context you will not find in the playbill.

For Wicked, cast members Ethan Kirschbaum (Fiyero) and Nicolas Garza (Boq) shared stories about life on tour, stepping into iconic roles, and how they approach these characters night after night. The conversation was hosted by Kristin Pacelli, who kept things thoughtful and engaging without making it feel formal.

What surprised me most was how relaxed and welcoming it felt.

There were real snacks. Water, soda, treats. Enough that if you skipped dinner, you would have been fine. We had eaten at The Cheesecake Factory beforehand, so I just grabbed a Coke Zero, but the vibe was generous and warm. People were chatting, doing trivia, and settling in. It felt like being welcomed into the world of the show early.

And that changed everything.

Why Creative Conversations Changes How You Watch the Show

Here’s the thing. When you hear from the people inside the production, you don’t watch the same way.

You notice choices. You understand motivations. You catch moments that might have passed by before. Lainee leaned over more than once and whispered, “Oh, that makes sense now.”

It didn’t spoil anything. It deepened it.

By the time we walked into the Benedum, it felt like we were already part of the story, not just observers waiting for curtain.

If you’re seeing Wicked for the first time, this gives you grounding. If you’ve seen it before, it gives you a fresh lens.

Let’s Talk Parking, Because Pittsburgh Logistics Matter

If you’re going downtown for a show, parking can either set the tone for the night or completely derail it.

We used SpotHero and parked at the Sixth and Penn Garage, which was a three-minute walk to the Benedum.

A few quick parking tips if you’re going to the Benedum:

• Park once and walk rather than circling
• Choose a garage slightly off the main entrance streets
• Give yourself extra time if you’re attending Creative Conversations
• Book ahead if you want peace of mind

The calmer your arrival, the better the night feels.

The Wicked Merch Situation, and How to Approach It Strategically

If Wicked has a flaw, it’s that the merch is too good.

The Benedum lobby was lined with loads of shirts, hoodies, mugs, magnets, programs, ornaments, and souvenirs that practically beg you to mark the moment. This is not a quick browse situation.

Here’s what worked for us and what I’d recommend:

• Browse before the show if you care about sizes or specific items
• Decide in advance if you’re a “one thing” or “multiple things” person
• Pick one memory piece and one practical piece
• Expect lines, but they move

Merch is part of the experience, especially if you’re sharing the night with a teen who has waited years for this moment. We treated it like part of the celebration, not an afterthought.

Because this was stop three of our Wicked trifecta, we already had a plan.

We both bought t-shirts when we saw Wicked on Broadway in New York City, so for Pittsburgh, we wanted something different. Something that felt tied to this specific night.

We landed on:

• A gray Wicked sweatshirt with neon lettering for me
• A black zip-up Wicked hoodie for Lainee

The gray sweatshirt felt classic and wearable beyond the theater. The neon lettering pops without screaming souvenir. Lainee’s black zip hoodie felt like the perfect everyday piece. Cozy, versatile, and very her.

If you’re deciding what to buy, here’s what I’d recommend:

• If this is your first Wicked experience, a t-shirt is a great entry piece
• If this is a repeat viewing or part of a bigger Wicked era, go for a sweatshirt or hoodie
• Pick something you’ll actually wear, not just something you’ll store
• Decide before you get in line so you don’t rush the choice

Merch is part of the memory. When it’s intentional, it feels worth it.

A Few Things I’d Do Again, and One Thing I’d Change

What I’d absolutely do again:

• Build Creative Conversations into the night
• Arrive early enough to enjoy the lobby energy

What I’d change next time:

• Either skip dinner and fully enjoy the Creative Conversations snacks, or eat lighter so I can actually partake without regret
• Maybe park at the theater garage instead.

It’s a small thing, but it’s part of what made the night feel thoughtfully designed.

FAQ: Wicked in Pittsburgh at the Benedum

Is Creative Conversations worth it?
Yes. Especially if you love context, storytelling, or want the night to feel more immersive.

Do you need Wicked tickets to attend Creative Conversations?
Yes. Creative Conversations is free but requires registration. It’s designed to pair with the show.

How early should you arrive?
Plan to arrive 90 minutes before the show if you’re attending Creative Conversations.

Is the touring production as good as Broadway?
Different energy, same emotional impact. It absolutely holds its own.

Should you buy merch before or after the show?
Before, if you care about selection and want a calmer experience.

The Real Takeaway From Our Wicked Trifecta

New York gave us the dream.
The movie gave us the cultural moment.
Pittsburgh gave us the full circle.

Seeing Wicked at the Benedum, with Creative Conversations beforehand, made the experience feel intentional and personal. It wasn’t just a show we attended. It was a night we shared, one that layered memories on top of memories.

If you’re going to see Wicked in NYCor any big touring show at the Benedum, I can’t recommend Creative Conversations enough. It’s the kind of thing you don’t realize you’re missing until you do it once.

And now I’m curious.

Are you in your Wicked era too?