Welcome back to Oz…

“Like, oh my god, this is third time I’ve watched it and I’m still psyched for it!!”, the preteen girl, sitting in the row behind me, repeatedly tells her friend as everyone begins getting settled in their seats. Since it opened on Broadway in 2003, Wicked has continued to generate as much buzz as mega Broadway musical hits such as “The Lion King” or “Spamalot”.  This recreated version of L. Frank Baum’s enchanted land is a treat for all those who dare to venture into this unfamiliar world of Oz.

Both a prequel and sequel to the 1929 film, “Wizard of Oz” , the musical comes complete with flying witches, neat special effects, talking animals, catchy tunes and a new perspective. Long before poor Dorothy and her house dropped in Munchkinland, there was the tale of two witches and their ill-fated friendship; these two ladies are Elphaba, future Wicked Witch of the West(played by Kendra Kassebaum), and Glinda, future Good Witch of the North(played by Kerry Ellis).  The story circles around their opposing personalities, rivalry over the same love-interest, different viewpoints on the status quo of Oz and ultimately the strength of their friendship through these trials. “Wicked” exposes us to a different side of the story we all know so well from our youth with a new twist and of course a Tony Award winning wardrobe, stage-set and actors. What’s not to like?

The moment I stepped into the theater, the first thing to catch my attention was the elaborate stage setup and the huge “Time Dragon” that hangs above the stage and I thought “If the stage already looks like this, I can’t wait to see what’s in store…”. The “Wicked” producers definitely succeeded in achieving the fantasy-esque effect they aimed for and have not failed the audience’s expectations.  As the play begins, the mechanical Time Dragon roars to life while the scene opens with its first thematic score, “No One Mourns the Wicked”, in a post-Dorothy era before turning back in time to pre-“Wizard of Oz”.  Almost instantly, the scenery changes before our eyes and it is with this ease in which they move between scenery that is a major aspect in the flow from one scene to the next. The cast’s costumes don’t fail to razzle and dazzle us every time such as in the “Dancing through Life” score where the costumes accommodated every twirl and jump of the scene’s dance sequence.  Possibly the most climatic scene is towards the end of Act I as Elphaba breaks into her “anthem” of sorts, “Defying Gravity” in which she soars above the stage as she breaks free of the Wizard of Oz’s henchmen.

Although “Wicked” was initially received with mixed reviews yet its continued success has spawned productions across the U.S. and abroad while a loyal fan base continues to assure this production is undoubtedly “Defying Gravity”.