Wed., May 25, 2011

Is it a giant bat? Or a dragon?

Wicked work: Stage crews are bathed in orange as lights are tested and the set of the Broadway blockbuster “Wicked” is assembled on Tuesday in the INB Performing Arts Center in Spokane. The show travels with 13 semitrailers filled with props and sets and takes crews 2 ½ days to set up. “Wicked” runs today through May 29. (Dan Pelle)

I received an e-mail from a reader pointing out that what I called a "a giant dragon looming over the proscenium" in "Wicked" was, in fact, a giant bat.

"Don't you remember the bats in the 'Wizard of Oz?" she asked.

I was ready to kick myself for my poor bat-identfication skills, but I decided to do some research.

You know what? I think it is a dragon, something called the Clock of the Time Dragon, an apparition which comes right out of Gregory Maguire's book.

For one thing, it has a pair of horns. I am clearly not a bat-identification expert, but I dont think bats have horns. They do have bodacious ears, however.

What do you think? Is it a bat, or a dragon?

Posted May 25, 2011, 9:43 a.m.