I planned to write a review after seeing “Wicked” last week. Let me just say it’s sensational. Based on the legendary movie “The Wizard of Oz,” “Wicked” may be the best musical ever produced in the 21st century, and the music score could challenge to be the best in musical history.
Over the weekend, I developed a “Wicked” obsession. I truly enjoyed its music and wanted to hear the show’s more popular songs, including For Good, which features a duet of Glinda, the “Good Witch,” and Elphaba, the “Wicked Witch,” at a climactic part of the show.
As I’m searching on YouTube, lo and behold I discover an inspirational moment caught on video, which occurred last month. Kristen Chenoweth, Wicked’s original Glinda and famous actress from Oklahoma, was performing at the Hollywood Bowl and selected a random member of the audience named Sarah Horn to sing For Good with her on stage. That’s right, random. They did not rehearse.
I am probably one of the last to discover this video, considering it has well surpassed 3 million views, but if you have not seen the video, watch it below.
It’s easy to appreciate Horn’s experience of stardom. The way she easily interacted with Chenoweth on stage and, of course, how she revealed her singing talent which shocked many, including Chenoweth, compares to the kind of stories found in movies.
Read her own take of the experience, and you can tell she was not a plant, as some reporters initially wondered. As well as Sarah performed, it is no surprise there would be skeptics, but with Sarah’s humble demeanor, Kristen’s animated behavior and even the orchestra’s conductor turning around to look when Sarah started to sing, there is enough evidence to prove this was not scripted.
I was happy to find out Horn teaches music at California Baptist University, and something else I found fascinating is Sarah’s father praying 11 years ago that some day she would sing with Chenoweth. I watched the interviews she did after her amazing moment, and I have concluded she demonstrates faith in her life.
So here’s my message to Sarah: I hope this could be the beginning for you. Young people today need someone who reflects a more positive image and morally sound judgment. I believe you can offer that.
I hope you have the opportunity to speak to the “Glindas” of the world who struggle with believing that people are brought into their lives for a reason. Hopefully, you yourself know what that ultimate reason is, and God will use you to share it.
Best wishes, Sarah. May the change for the better that you sing about lead others to make the greatest change in their life (II Cor. 5:17), and may God use you for His glory and for the good of others.