Published: January 26, 2009 08:43 am      

‘Wicked’ helps area student with cerebral palsy to improve communication skills

By VANESSA WELCH

vanessa.welch@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Many people remember watching “The Wizard of Oz” during childhood and even throughout their adult years. The current musical “Wicked” expands upon the movie by revealing what led up to Dorothy’s arrival, and just like the movie, it has a magical quality that keeps fans coming back to see it again and again.

David Hester of Mt. Vernon Township High School first heard about the musical in 2007, and has since attended it four times. Although he was born with cerebral palsy, those close to Hester said the play has benefited his verbal skills, and has given him a new avenue for communicating: singing.

Doug Hester said his son first heard about the play when his mother and aunt went to see it in Chicago during the fall of 2007.

“When she came back she had a soundtrack of the music and was playing it in her car,” Hester said. “He started insisting that he wanted to go once he heard the music.”

A few months later, Hester said David went to see the musical with his mother and aunt on New Years Day. David has since attended “Wicked” in St. Louis and Chicago, and most recently he saw it in Louisville.

During his last experience, David said he was excited to meet Donna Vivino, who starred as his favorite character Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West. Before the musical started, Vivino gave him a tour of the stage area and props including the wizard’s mask, a witch’s wand and the Cowardly Lion when he was still a cub. Hester also met Richard Blake, who played Fiyero, the Wicked Witch’s love interest.

The musical is based upon the relationship between Elphaba and Galinda, the Good Witch of the North. The story takes audience members through their opposing personalities and viewpoints, rivalry over a shared crush and their reactions to government. Hester said his favorite scene occurs during the song “Defying Gravity” when Elphaba gains all of her powers and flies for the first time.

Doug Hester said that Wicked is “more than just a musical” as his son has brought family members and friends together to share in the experience.

“The greatest thing about this was the experience I had with him,” Hester said. “To see him so excited about it — this boy that most people don’t understand — he has culture. He would rather go to the theater now.

“The people who love Wicked go back. It’s just fun, and it’s something that people relate to from their childhood. David tells everyone he sees, ‘Go see wicked.’ He has spread the ‘Wicked’ virus to school now, too.”

David’s teacher, Debbie Backes, said he is an avid sports fan and attends basketball, football and baseball games. Now that he has witnessed “Wicked” firsthand, Backes said he has a new passion he shares with classmates and many other students and teachers at the high school each week.

“It has made him more verbal and it’s given him another outlet to talk about,” Backes said. “It’s also helped to expand his vocabulary skills. He likes to talk about the songs and characters from ‘Wicked,’ and during computer time he will research information or print out song lyrics.”

Before David learned about “Wicked,” Hester said he didn’t know his son could sing. Now, whether David is humming under his breath during performances or singing along to “One Short Day,” he has found a new hobby that serves as a way to communicate also.