STILL A WICKED GOOD TIME
The stage musical Wicked is is now Broadway’s fourth longest-running show—surpassing Cats; productions continue to sprout up globally in many languages; and last year’s film adaptation of just Act I continues to be a ginormous hit. And last night, the equally successful North American Tour—which has played over 6000 performances—settled in for a long run at The Civic through March 2 before flying on its golden broomstick to regions beyond.
Austen Danielle Bohmer and Lauren Samuels
If you’re seen Wicked before, should you stay home? This high-powered tour is a well-oiled, heart-filled carbon-copy of all the Wicked‘s that have come before, so while nothing has been altered here, it remains polished, professional, and pleasurable due to a fresh new cast, so it’s like visiting an old friend if you’re in the mood. For me, it’s as appealing as ever, so I have nothing but superlatives for the staging, clever book, and rich music. Above all is that amazingly enchanting story.
Lauren Samuels and Austen Danielle Bohmer
If you’ve never seen it before, you’re in for a surprise, as this is based on Gregory Maguire’s fantastic novel, which imagines the events leading up to L Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz as we know it, going back many years before Dorothy rode a house to Munchkinland (as it was first called in MGM’s 1939 film). Specifically, it reimagines the origins of two iconic characters: The Wicked Witch of the West and The Good Witch of the North.
Erica Ito and Alex Vinh
A child is born in Oz with green skin. She is shunned by most, including her now-widowed father, who blames the child for his wife’s demise. A precociously bright girl, Elphaba joins her sister at boarding school, where she meets her nemesis, a self-absorbed, status-obsessed beauty who later becomes Glinda the Good Witch, she of the traveling bubble. Initially clashing as school roommates, their evolving friendship takes center stage, reshaping everything we thought we knew about the Land of Oz.
Blake Hammond
Kingsley Leggs
The musical is actually easier to follow if you haven’t read the richly complex 416-page novel. If you have, the musical takes significant liberties with its source material—streamlining the plot, softening some of the darker themes, and reshaping the central relationship. Yet, Winnie Holzman’s adaptation feels complete and compelling, crafting a story that stands strong on its own while still honoring the spirit of the book. Stephen Schwartz’s soaring score brings the journey to life with many standout numbers, including the humorous, bouncy “Popular” and the emotional Broadway spectacle, “Defying Gravity.”
Austen Danielle Bohmer
There is a lot of story to get in—which explains why the nearly 3-hour movie only covers Act I (the film of Act II comes out this year)—so anything less than superior direction could make the show drag. It is because of Joe Mantello that we judge neither Elphaba nor Glinda. His staging balances a grand visual scale with intimacy, allowing the friendship to remain the heart of the musical. Wayne Cilento’s choreography always enhances the storytelling, especially in the celebratory, high-energy “Dancing Through Life.”
Lauren Samuels and Erica Ito
Of course, Wicked wouldn’t be the theatrical marvel it is without its stunning design elements. Eugene Lee’s scenic design, which rightfully won a Tony, transports audiences to a magical, mechanical Oz, filled with towering gears and steampunk-inspired details that reflect the inner workings of the Wizard’s world. Susan Hilferty’s exquisite costumes are just as iconic—Glinda’s shimmering ballgown, Elphaba’s evolving wardrobe, the flying monkeys. Tom Watson’s wigs are works of art, especially the near-drag-queen exaggerated look on schoolmistress Madame Morrible (played with glee by Aymee Garcia). Lighting designer Kenneth Posner adds to the magic with breathtaking effects, particularly in the show’s most famous moment, as Elphaba soars above the stage in the goosebumps-inducing “Defying Gravity.”
Aymee Garcia
Speaking of which, West End star Lauren Samuels is powerful and touching as Elphaba, her voice is full of personality (Elphaba standby Carly Augenstein plays Feb. 11-16). One very pleasant surprise was Austen Danielle Bohmer’s take on Glinda. She is the fourth woman I’ve seen in the role and the first to feel different from the others; Glinda feels more genuine and less cartoony in Ms. Bohmer’s hands and it was a nice variation (standby Allsun O’Malley goes on Feb. 21 & 22). Xavier McKinnon, as the romantic interest Fiyero, fell short of the heart-stopping charisma that we hope to see in the character in Act I, but rose to the occasion more solidly in Act II. Perhaps seeing him so immediately on the heels of the film’s spellbinding Jonathan Bailey made for a tough comparison.
Lauren Samuels
Wicked has earned its status as a cultural phenomenon, and its appeal continues to grow. From its clever script to its unforgettable music, the striking visual design to its dynamic direction, Wicked casts a spell that is impossible to resist.
photos by Joan Marcus
Wicked
national tour
presented by Broadway San Diego at Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Avenue
for tickets (beginning at $61), call 619.564.3000 or visit BroadwaySD
ends in SD on March 2, 2025
tour continues; for dates and cities, visit Wicked
Xavier McKinnon
