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Regional Reviews: Phoenix Wicked
Telling the back story of the Wicked Witch of the West and how she got to be that way and given that name, the musical is based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Gregory Maguire. While the main theme and characters of the musical are the same as the novel, there are many changes that book writer Winnie Holzman and composer Stephen Schwartz made to make the story and characters more accessible and as a result created a show that so many people fell in love with. The way that Holzman and Schwartz were also able to connect this version of the story to things we all know and love from the movie The Wizard of Oz also adds another layer to the storytelling that includes many fun surprises. Schwartz' score is full of high energy and tuneful showstoppers. There are many twists and turns in the story, so no spoiler alerts for those who haven't seen it, but the basic plot overview follows Elphaba and Galinda, from the time they meet at college to their later years when Elphaba has become the Wicked Witch of the West and Galinda has become Glinda the Good Witch of the North. But, to quote a line from the show, was Elphaba "born wicked, or did she have wickedness thrust upon her?" You see, the musical shows that sometimes what people are told or think they know about a person isn't always the truth, especially when public figures make comments that are really lies about people who are in the way of achieving their personal goals. The musical has other themes and layers, including that beauty truly is what's inside; that sometimes the worst of enemies can become the best of friends; that a simple personal choice can sometimes create great change; and even that stupid, rich and handsome college boys may not be so stupid after all. Wicked is a show that definitely has its haters, but there is so much to connect to in the show and so many different themes and layers that it is no wonder that so many people like it, are moved by it, and have returned to see it over and over again. The current tour cast includes Alyssa Fox as Elphaba and Carrie St. Louis as Galinda, both of whom completely instill the characters with the drive and power that the original Broadway leads Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth did as well. They both embody their parts with ease, making them original, though St. Louis is a bit wackier than actresses I've seen in the part before, though she does have impeccable comic timing. They are also both very good singers, with St. Louis hitting some glorious high notes and Burns a powerhouse who belts out her big solos with a roar, including the showstopper "Defying Gravity" that she delivers with ease. The two form a great, believable partnership and make the characters their own. Jake Boyd is Fiyero, the rich college student who shows up at the school that Elphaba and Galinda attend, and he makes a good romantic lead and also has a nice clear strong voice. With his good looks, charming personality and a deep sense of caring, it's easy to see why both Galinda and Elphaba fall for him. Stuart Zagnit is the Wizard, and he brings a keen sense of sage advice and vaudeville showmanship to the part. Wendy Worthington is both perfectly nice and deliciously evil as Madame Morrible, the woman who is the headmistress at the college. On opening night at Gammage, understudy and Phoenix native Beka Burnham was on for Liana Hunt as Nessarose, Elphaba's sister. Burnham is a 2014 graduate from the Boston Conservatory who just celebrated her one year anniversary on the tour and the first time she saw Wicked was here on the Gammage stage. So it was nice to see a local girl in one of the main parts in the show and, even at such a young age, delivering an accomplished, nuanced portrayal. The production boasts a top notch ensemble who play a multitude of parts and exceptional production aspects almost identical to Broadway with just a few small modifications in the physical aspect of the show to allow it to easily tour. This is the first time I've seen a tour of this show, having seen the musical numerous times on Broadway, so it's nice to see that audiences outside of New York City get a production that is on par with the one on Broadway and that the cast is as good as ones I've seen in New York. The huge sets by Eugene Lee are imaginative and expansive. Susan Hilferty's costumes are a non-stop parade of wild and colorful designs and Kenneth Posner's lighting washes the stage in an abundance of color and shadow. Wicked is a show that not everyone loves, but as someone who loved it the first time I saw it in previews on Broadway back in October of 2003 it still resonates today. The misunderstood nature of Elphaba and the way that lies and innuendo can be used to tarnish someone's reputation are especially timely with the 2016 Presidential Debates happening now. With all of the false information and name calling going back and forth against the candidates, Wicked really makes you realize that you should clearly fact check everything that anyone says about anyone else and not just take someone's statements as the truth. Wicked runs through October 4th, 2015 at ASU Gammage located at 1200 S. Forest Avenue in Tempe. Tickets can be purchased at www.asugammage.com or by calling 480 965-3434. Additional tour dates can be found at www.wickedthemusical.com Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz Cast: (in order of appearance)
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