From Bieber hits to city sports, there’s something for everyone to do in the Metroplex this week. Music Bieber Fever is hitting Dallas as Club 90s presents: Justin Bieber Night on Jan. 24 at The Echo Lounge and Music Hall. From 8:30 to 11 p.m., the night will be filled with Justin Bieber hits and live performances. Tickets are available online at varied prices. Entertainment The Arlington Museum of Art has two new exhibitions opening Friday, “Princess Diana: Accredited Access Exhibition” and “Wicked Threads: The Artistry of Costume in Oz.” The Diana exhibit will showcase images of the late princess, taken by her close friend and official royal photographer, Anwar Hussein, and his sons, Samir and Zak. The Wicked exhibit will feature costumes and props used in the 2024 Universal film based on the Tony award winning Broadway musical. The exhibits will be open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with free admission. Bug lovers of all ages, bring the family to the Bug Squad exhibit at River Legacy Living Science Center. This interactive display features talking animatronic insects with super abilities. Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Feb. 8, residents can explore hands-on exhibits, jump like a grasshopper, and learn about the unique traits of each bug superhero. Ticket prices vary, and can be found online. Preacher Lawson, an America's Got Talent finalist, will be performing 7 p.m. Jan. 24 at Mic Drop Comedy Plano on his Funny As Bleep Tour. Whether a fan of his AGT performances or just looking for a night of laughs, this show is sure to deliver. Tickets are available online. Sports The Global Sports Gauntlet All-American Bowl and Combine will start 2:30 p.m. Saturday at AT&T Stadium. Sports enthusiasts are invited to witness high schoolers and young athletes from across the country be coached, evaluated and tested by top college and high school coaches, as well as former professional and collegiate athletes and trainers. Cheer on the Dallas Stars as they take on the Vegas Golden Knights at 7 p.m. Jan 24 at the American Airlines Center. Tickets are available online. Doors open 5 p.m. @ taylor._.sansom news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

There’s typically a curse when films adapt works made for other mediums, but Wicked breaks that spell, along with all my expectations. Released Nov. 22, the film stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, a young woman misunderstood because of her green skin, and Ariana Grande as Glinda, the popular girl. The two become friends at Shiz University in the Land of Oz, but after meeting the wizard, their friendship is put to the test. In the opening sequence, Wicked is revealed to be part one of a duology, capturing the first half of the original Broadway musical. The film features catchy musical numbers I didn’t know I remembered until I found myself mouthing along. I found “Dancing Through Life” and “One Short Day” most impressive in terms of choreography and cinematography. While the actors and extras danced, the camera twisted and turned around the characters, creating an immersive experience. The “Dancing Through Life” sequence takes place in the Shiz library with Fiyero, played by Jonathan Bailey, dancing and performing amateur gymnastics on the giant rotary machine used to find books. I’m not sure how that was filmed, but kudos to whoever made that set because it looked so real. “One Short Day” gives a grand tour of the Emerald City through Elphaba and Glinda’s perspective, with sets and costumes matching the city’s green hue and the chaotic, gorgeous dancing from the extras. It also features a pleasant surprise for fans of the original play. This film defied my expectations in many ways, but the one I never saw coming was Elphaba’s younger sister, Nessarose, played by Marissa Bode. Like me, Bode uses a wheelchair, and Nessarose is a disabled character. This authentic disability representation is rarely seen in big productions like Wicked. I related to her character so much that I found myself holding back tears of sadness and joy. As for the stars of the show, Erivo didn’t just fly; she soared with her rendition of “Defying Gravity.” I have never gotten chills during a musical film before, and no, it wasn’t cold in the theater. She was just that good. Grande’s portrayal of Glinda shows how far she’s come since her Nickelodeon days, but she still taps into that bubbly personality as Glinda. Although mildly annoying at times, the personality is essential to Glinda’s character. Grande’s angelic, opera-like voice fits Glinda perfectly as she belts out notes in the opening act for “No One Mourns the Wicked” and later for her scene-stealing “Popular.” With 2 hours and 40 minutes of runtime, Wicked dragged a little around halfway through, but I wasn’t bored. In fact, I wish the film was longer. Luckily, Wicked: Part Two is scheduled for Nov. 21, 2025, according to Universal Pictures. Wicked is everything a musical film should be. The sets and costumes were designed with careful attention to detail, the actors sang live and, most importantly, it stayed true to the original. It made me realize and appreciate how much time and effort went into this film, from the singing and dancing to the camera work and visual effects. I can’t wait to see how part two plays out next year. news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu