Wicked is ba-a-a-ck at Wharton Center’s Great Hall to the delight of a full house of fans, old and new. This complicated prequel to The Wizard of Oz, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman, evolved from the the 1995 Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West — which, of course, is based on the Frank Baum, Wizard of Oz books and the 1939 movie.
Wicked brings spectacle with fabulous sets, costumes, effects — all the smoke and mirrors and show-stopping musical numbers, dancing, flying all over the stage. We are led through an entanglement of origin stories that somehow relate more to our lives, today, than to a fairy tale storybook past. We witness the origins of the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow, the motivation behind the twister that flattened the Wicked Witch’s sister…. and more. And in the process we experience the blurred lines between good and evil, the temptations of power and attention, the complications and strength of true friendship.
Celia Hottenstein is wonderful as glittering Glinda, at first the entertaining embodiment of the self-obsessed “mean girl” but maturing into a much deeper character. Olivia Valli is a knockout as Elphaba the green outcast who learns to own and use her power — both women “changed for good” as the song says. Interestingly, Olivia has understudied Elphaba for years, and brings her own deep perspective to the character. Learn more about her in Dave Winkelstern’s City Pulse interview:
https://www.lansingcitypulse.com/stories/olivia-valli-brings-humor-and-heart-to-wickeds-lead-role,54533
Other standouts were Sharon Sachs, understudy who took over the role of Mrs. Morrible for Natalie Venetia Beacon, who may be appearing in other performances but will have to be amazing to top the deliciously evil Sharon Sachs. Christian Thompson gave us a layered Fiyero, flashy enough to attract Glinda, but revealing deeper layers to align with Elphaba’s cause. Boise Holmes was inspiring as Dr. Dillamond, the last animal teacher at Shiz. Timothy Shew had a beautiful voice and manner as the compromised Wizard. Tara Costmayer was sweet as Elphaba's beloved wheelchair-bound sister Nessarose. Her conflicted un-boyfriend Boq (Kyle McArthur) touched our hearts as he lost his own.
Wicked has become one of those classic must-sees, and wears well upon RE-seeing. It continues through May 28. Tickets at http://whartoncenter.com