Wicked weaves its magic at Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre

Universal Stage Productions

Everyone knows The Wizard of Oz, either by the books or the classic MGM movie musical, but do you know the story that took place before the events of that classic tale? In 1995, Gregory Maguire published his novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West that became a hit and spawned three follow-ups. At one point, Demi Moore had optioned the rights to the story which she intended to turn into a TV mini-series for ABC but that project never got off the ground. But in 2003, the novel came to the stage as a flashy family-friendly musical that became a smash, garnering a Tony Award for Idina Menzel and a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical, and the first US Tour was launched in 2005.

Fifteen years later and the show is touring again, making magic wherever it goes. If you’re still unfamiliar with the story, Wicked begins at the end with the demise of the Wicked Witch of the West, the people of Oz rejoicing. Glinda the Good Witch floats in on her bubble and someone questions her about her relationship with the Wicked Witch. It turns out the two were acquaintances, roommates at school to be exact at a sort of Hogwarts school called Shiz University, where humans and talking animals teach (but something is happening to the animals as they are banned from the school and are forgetting how to talk). Then, the Wicked Witch, Elphaba, wasn’t wicked, just green and misunderstood, and her only reason for being at the school was to attend to her sister Nessarose, who is in a wheelchair. But fate threw Elphaba and Galinda (her real name) together, and eventually the two become friends. The school’s headmistress, Madame Morrible, sees some real magical potential in Elphaba and takes her under her wing, until the day the Wizard requests her presence. Elphaba convinces Galinda to accompany her, they meet the Wizard, he sees how powerful Elphaba is and then she realizes he is behind what is happening to the animals and that he has no real power, so he needs hers. That is when Elphaba revolts, takes to the skies on her broom to actually help the animals but in turn becomes known as being evil … mainly because of the propaganda put forth by Morrible, now the Wizard’s press secretary, and Galinda (who had originally changed her name to Glinda about their goat professor — who couldn’t pronounce her name — was dragged from their classroom).

Before Elphaba had gone on the lam, she and Glinda met a young man named Fiyero with whom Glinda was immediately smitten. But there was a spark between him and Elphaba as well, and Glinda could see that … even though she could not see that Munchkin Boq was madly in love with her. Eventually all of their stories intertwine and we learn just how Elphaba’s sister came to be under that house that fell on her, and how the Tin Man, Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion came to be.

Universal Stage Productions

I am a big fan of the novel, and when I saw the show many years ago I came away a bit disappointed that many memorable things from the book had been changed. Of course it’s virtually impossible to faithfully translate something from the page to the stage (or the screen) but I was just too close to the book at the time to be able to let it go. Now many years later, I can look at Wicked with fresh eyes, far enough divorced from the novel to really appreciate the show. And this time I enjoyed it immensely (even if it does cop out a bit at the end). I am all about musicals with big sets and costumes and lighting design and Wicked has it all, even if some of the flying effects are quaint by today’s technological standards (there don’t seem to have been any major updates since the show premiered but if it ain’t broke, why fix it?). If nothing else, this is a visually appealing show.

But Wicked succeeds or fails by its leads. Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel were the original Glinda and Elphaba, and those are some big shoes to fill. The current tour stars Allison Bailey and Talia Suskauer as Glinda and Elphaba and both are magnificent. Bailey has the more ‘fun’ role because Galinda is so bubbly at first, especially after she decides to make Elphaba her personal project (which gives us the popular song … ‘Popular’). If Glinda has any negative aspects — and she’ll tell you she doesn’t — it’s that everything is about her, from how good she is to help Elphaba (even though she never asked for help) to surprising Fiyero with an engagement party (and he doesn’t seem to know he’s engaged). But Bailey takes what should be character flaws and just makes them as cute as can be. But even through their ups and downs, Glinda always wants what’s best for Elphaba, even when the entire population of Oz is looking for her. It’s a tough job to make a self-centered character like Glinda likable, but Bailey pulls it off terrifically.

Universal Stage Productions

Suskauer has the showier role of Elphaba — not that Glinda isn’t showy — but it’s hard to overlook her green skin, which makes her stand out even if she is always wearing black. Elphaba also gets more of the meatier songs, including the classic ‘Defying Gravity’ which is a showstopper … and a good thing since it closes the first act. Glinda can be a bit one-note, but Elphaba hsa more layers and emotions and Suskauer does a great job at making the audience identify with and root for Elphaba to take down the Wizard and live happily ever after with Fiyero. But we all know how the story ends … or do we? Suskauer has a great voice and she gives a great performance in a role that is now iconic.

Sharon Sachs was just great as Madame Morrible, and Cleavant Derricks also gives a nice performance as The Wizard. Amanda Fallon Smith makes the most of her Nessarose, going from a young woman resentful of her condition to someone who does deserve to have a house dropped on her, especially when both she and Glinda treat poor Boq so badly. DJ Plunkett is also very good as Boq, so adorable that you just want to shake Glinda and get her to realize what a sweet guy he is for a Munchkin (some jokes are made about his size but none of the Munchkins are played by little people). My only reservation was Curt Hansen as Fiyero. Maybe he was having a bad night but his voice was not the best. I don’t want to judge his performance as a whole from one bad night, but for our performance he was the weakest link.

Wicked is a visually sumptuous show with a collection of wonderful songs by Stephen Schwartz, and a solid book by Winnie Holzman than I can now appreciate more than I originally did. It had to be a monumental task to take material that was so very dark and lighten it up for the Broadway masses. I originally felt like all the dark aspects of the story had been taken away but I do still see those elements now, and I understand that the little cop out at the ending was needed to make the show a success because the ending is the last thing people remember and if it’s a downer, the show will never succeed. Wicked did succeed and win over audiences and has a fandom to rival Phantom of the Opera. For my second time around, the show grabbed and engaged me, wowed me, made me laugh, made me tear up, and had me on my feet at the end to applaud the brilliant work of its stars. If you’re already a fan, then you’ll definitely want to see the show again, and if you’re one of those who hasn’t seen it yet, I highly recommend a trip to the theatre.

Wicked runs through March 8 at Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre. Other cities on the schedule include Madison WI, Columbus OH, Norfolk VA, Richmond VA, Vancouver BC, Durham NC, Greensboro, NC, Charlotte NC, Tampa FL, Dallas TX and more. Visit the official Wicked website for more information.

 
WICKED North American Tour

Universal Stage Productions

 
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