I am a theater kid. Yes, I memorized show tunes faster than math equations as a kid, and I have an array of colorful costumes crammed in the back of my closet back home. And while I preferred "Mamma Mia" over Beyonce, and got excited over new character shoes over converse, one experience in particular sealed the deal and made me a theater kid for life. What was that event, you ask? Well, it was the first time I saw a little show, named "Wicked." Perhaps you've heard of it. I've seen "Wicked" 17 times (and counting), but that first night in Oz will always be special to me. Now that the show is touring across the country and the world, many people are going through this amazing experience. So here is what it's like, to see "Wicked" for the very first time.

*Spoilers Ahead*

1. The first note of music.

"Wicked" does nothing quietly. Especially it's first impression. If you recall the lights dimming and the conductor raising his wand, you remember that the first note of the whole show is best described as a BAM! It wakes you up if you weren't in the zone yet, and the dragon coming to life above you is the icing on the cake.

2. The first laugh.

Thirty seconds into the show, G(a)linda descends upon the mere peasants in a silvery sparkly bubble. Her first line: "It's good to see me, isn't it? No need to respond, that was rhetorical," always gets a laugh from the audience.

3. Elphaba's appearance.

The green girl runs onstage and it's clear that the real show just began. You settle in your seat as Shiz University materializes before your eyes, and brace yourself for the rest of the show.

4. The voices.

Everyone in this show can sing. That is made very clear from the first solo that Elphaba sings. It's actually mind-blowing how talented these people are, and the initial shock and excitement you feel when they open their mouths never fades no matter how many times you see "Wicked."

5. Fiyero's appearance.

Fiyero is hot. This is a fact. No matter where you see "Wicked," Fiyero will be gorgeous. And he will sing perfectly, dance perfectly, and wear those cream skinny pants perfectly. Ladies, fans are encouraged.

6. 'Popular'

The first time (or really anytime) you see "Popular" performed, you will be dying laughing. For five straight minutes, everyone will forget their good behavior because they will be literally laughing out loud. Glinda's shining moment is a show stopper.

7. "Defying Gravity"

When "Defying Gravity" happens, your senses are overwhelmed. Some chick covered in green is 40 feet above the stage floating, swinging a broomstick, belting out perfect notes, and smoke and lights are surrounding her. The only reactions are "Oh, my god," and speechlessness.

8. Fiyero and Glinda's "engagement."

Glinda is famous, Fiyero is miserable, and Elphaba is public enemy number one. A lot has changed since you left for intermission to get your popcorn and soda, and there are many, many ways this story could end.

9. Boq turning into the Tin

Now everything is starting to come together. You knew this story would tie into "The Wizard of Oz," but this is the first moment when that actually starts to happen. Little do you know, the mind f**king has only just begun.

10. Fiyero leaves Glinda for Elphaba.

"I'm going with her." With these words, Fiyero dumps his fiancee and runs away with Elphaba. We were all hoping this would happen, but we never thought it would happen the way it did. Shocking.

11. "As Long As You're Mine"

Now this reaction depends on which actors you see, where you're sitting in the theater, etc. But 99 percent of the time, "As Long As You're Mine" is the love song to end all love songs. The music that echoes in your chest and the two pretty people making out on a smoked out floor is a heady mix. You need to catch your breath by the end of it. And the greatest line in the show happens here as Elphaba says, "for the first time, I feel...wicked." It's 10/10 OTP on the spot.

12. Dorothy drops in.

A lot of stuff happens after we slow down for the love song. Nessa dies when Dorothy's house drops on her, Glinda and Elphaba get into an epic cat fight, Fiyero is captured by the Wizard's guards when he stops them from seizing Elphaba, and Elphaba sings "No Good Deed" trying to save him. We are officially overlapping with "The Wizard of Oz," and you still can't imagine how it will end.

13. Witch Hunt featuring the Cowardly Lion

All of Oz is on the hunt for The Wicked Witch, and it is revealed that the story has been twisted to reflect that instead of saving the little lion cub from the beginning of the show, that Elphaba kidnapped him instead of letting him fight his own battles, making him cowardly as an adult = the cowardly lion. Another "Wizard of Oz" piece of the puzzle falls into place, but you bet you're pissed off at the whole damn town.

14. "For Good" and Elphaba melting.

"For Good" makes half the audience cry every night. And Elphaba melting leaves Glinda crying alone onstage. It's a sad whirlwind of a scene. Surely, the show can't end this way...

15. The Wizard is the father.

The Wizard is Elphaba's father. He is crushed, and Glinda sends him and Madame away for good. She solemnly takes control of Oz. Dorothy has also gone back to Kansas by this time. You, by the way, are in your seat with your jaw on the floor. She was his all along, and you're just as shocked as he is.

16. Fiyero is the Scarecrow and Elphaba faked it.

You are once more, rendered shocked by this show, as Fiyero and Elphaba (secretly) get their happy ending. You will never ever be able to watch "The Wizard of Oz" the same way again because the last five minutes of "Wicked" have proven that everything you once knew is a lie.

17. Curtain Call.

You stand and clap for these magical people and this magical show. While you're walking out, you already wonder when you can see it again.