Reviewed by Judy Richter
The opening song is "No
One Mourns the Wicked,"
but in reality, everyone cheers "Wicked," the hit musical that has
returned to San Francisco, where it got its start in 2003 before going on to
its Broadway success. This is its second return visit to San Francisco. Its
first was the national tour in August 2005. I didn't see the original
production, which reportedly underwent significant changes and improvements
before going to Broadway. However, I did see the 2005 production, and I found this
latest one even more enjoyable. Perhaps it was easier to follow the plot and
character development the second time around. Perhaps I focused on those
qualities more than references to the iconic 1939 film musical, which was based
on L. Frank Baum's
novel "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." "Wicked" is based on Gregory
Maguire's novel
(adapted by Winnie Holzman), a sort of prequel that looks at what happened before a
tornado plopped Dorothy and Toto into Oz.
"Wicked"
focuses on the two college girls who became the Wicked Witch and the Good
Witch. The former is Elphaba (Teal Wicks), who was born green and who was promptly
rejected by her father (Tim Talman), the governor of Munchkinland. Elphaba goes to college,
where she and Good Witch-to-be Glinda (Kendra Kassebaum) are forced to become roommates.
The pairing separates Elphaba from her beloved younger sister, Nessarose (Deedee
Magno Hall), who
uses a wheelchair. Elphaba and Glinda make an unlikely pair. The intelligent
Elphaba dresses plainly and takes her studies seriously. Glinda is an airhead,
but she's pretty, dresses well and is popular. Over time, however, the two warm
up to each other, and Glinda vows to make Elphaba "Popular" like herself. Kassebaum is
hilarious in this number, flouncing about and chirping about what she'll do for
Elphaba.
The
plot twists and turns as Elphaba becomes aware of the oppression that's taking
place in Munchkinland and looks forward to telling the Wonderful Wizard of Oz (David
Garrison) what's
happening so that he can stop it. Another complication is that both young women
take an interest in a handsome young man, Fiyero (Nicolas Dromard), who's initially just as
vacuous as Glinda but who gains a social conscience because of Elphaba. In the
meantime, Elphaba's experiences in Oz prompt her to become the Wicked Witch,
but underneath she's not bad, just misunderstood.
Stephen
Schwartz's
melodic music and clever lyrics help to propel the story, as do Joe Mantello's taut direction and Wayne
Cilento's
musical staging. The set by Eugene Lee, costumes by Susan Hilferty, lighting by Kenneth Posner and special effects by Chic
Silber add
greatly to the experience. Several examples include the fierce dragon that looms
above the orchestra throughout the show and the spectacular lighting as Elphaba
is elevated in the show's most exciting song and scene, "Defying
Gravity,"
which ends the first act.
A
terrific casts helps to deliver Schwartz's songs, overseen by music director Bryan
Perri and music
supervisor Stephen Oremus. Wicks as Elphaba and Kassebaum as Glinda blend well in
songs like "What Is This Feeling?" and "For Good," as well as "Defying
Gravity." They also do well dramatically as their characters mature and their
friendship evolves. In addition to Hall as Nessarose, Garrison as the Wizard
and Dromard as Fiyero, the production features noteworthy performances from Carol
Kane as Madame
Morrible, Eddy Rioseco as Boq and Tom Flynn as Doctor Dillamond.
To
celebrate the return of "Wicked," several San Francisco landmarks,
including City Hall, Coit Tower and the Ferry Building, were bathed in green
light at night during the week leading up to the opening on Feb. 6.
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