The production of Wicked currently playing the Fox Theatre delivers an enchanting experience to its audiences that dazzles and delights, filling the stage with jaw-dropping scenery and incredible special effects, as well as a host of wonderful performers. The plot based on Gregory Maguire's novel gives a back story to L. Frank's Baum's beloved Wizard of Oz, that is unexpectedly infused with a strong, positive message about accepting people for who they are inside And, while most musicals are guilty of utilizing a threadbare plot to hang a multitude of songs upon, this is not the case with Wicked, where the reverse is nearly true, with Winnie Holzman's clever adaptation providing a more than sturdy framework for Stephen Schwartz's catchy score.
Glinda the Good Witch of North relates the tale of how her former schoolmate at Shiz University, the emerald-skinned Elphaba, came to be known as the Wicked Witch of the West. The action follows the pair as they become roommates and eventually friends, though they initially loathe one another, as illustrated in the song "What Is This Feeling?". Elphaba's prowess at magic leads to an audience with the Wizard, and the discovery that he is causing the animals of Oz to lose their ability to speak by having them censured and caged. She also learns that the Wizard has no real power and wishes to employ her to cast spells from a book of magic known as the Grimmerie. But Elphaba steals the book and flees the kingdom in rebellion.
Natalie Rose Daradich is hilarious as Glinda. Her mangling of the English language and narcissistic preening are effectively played for maximum laugh potential. Her vocals are also strong, and she's especially good on "Popular", a number which has her attempting to makeover Elphaba. Vicki Noon is equally good as the ostracized and misunderstood Elphaba, although Noon took ill during the performance I attended and was replaced before the second act by her understudy, Anne Brummel. Both proved to have exceptional voices, with Brummel soaring above the orchestra during "Defying Gravity" and Noon conveying the character's heartbreak during the touching, "I'm Not That Girl".
Chris Peluso amuses as the vacuous Winkie Prince, Fiyero. Though Glinda is smitten and determined to marry him, his heart is lost to Elphaba. Peluso does nice work with the bouncy number, "Dancing Through Life", that details his basic philosophy, and the tender duet "As Long As You're Mine".
Kristine Reese plays Elphaba's crippled sister, Nessarose and has her best moment during the song, "The Wicked Witch of the East", as a spell cast by her in anger shrinks the heart of her reluctant munchkin servant, Boq. David de Vries elicits sympathy as the goat/Professor, Dr. Dillamond, who's losing his ability to speak without braying. Don Amendolia is solid as the misguided and ineffectual Wizard, and shines on the number, "A Sentimental Man". Marilyn Caskey is properly twisted as Shiz headmistress, Madama Morrible, who has a knack for conjuring up the weather.
Wicked is a triumph of staging, with Eugene Lee's ever-changing industrial/gothic set design nearly overwhelming the cast. Joe Mantello's direction keeps the story moving along at a frantic pace, and Wayne Cilento's choreography brims with energy and enthusiasm.
Wicked continues at the Fabulous Fox for an extended run that lasts through July 11, 2010.
Photo by Joan Marcus.
