”
Wicked
”
has returned to the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco in a
glitzy, slightly reworked production from its 2003 and 2005 visits.
This is a tighter, less dark version and Glinda and Elphaba are
super as the witches of Oz (as was the 2003 and 2005 actors).
“Wicked” has returned to the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco in a glitzy, slightly reworked production from its 2003 and 2005 visits. This is a tighter, less dark version and Glinda and Elphaba are super as the witches of Oz (as was the 2003 and 2005 actors).
I still found the staging too over-the-top at times and the choreography less than inspiring. Listen to the lyrics: they are cleaver but the music and songs start to sound redundant after the third number.
Kendra Kassebaun’s (Glinda) “Popular” and David Garrison’s (The Wizard) “Sentimental Man” are the most delightful of all the tunes. Teal Wicks (Elphaba) is marvelous with the material she deals with. She has a great voice with strength and control. Overall the cast is prima and energetic.
“Wicked” is the story of the witches of Oz before Dorothy literally fell into the scene. Taken from the 1995 novel “Wicked” by Gregory Maguire, it is the story that takes us through a time in Oz that was not as we knew it. He paints a dark, allegorical portrait that shows what made the witches of Oz become their ultimate personalities.
I have always been happy with the enchanting L. Frank Baum’s tale where Dorothy clicks the heels of her ruby slippers and she and Toto make it back to Kansas and lived happily ever after.
(By the way in Maguire’s book the slippers were silver.)
The Wicked Witch of the West, Teal Wicks (Elphaba) is really the only character with any redeeming qualities. She was dubbed “wicked” by nasty, untrue rumors spread by people in power that did not like her politics (sound familiar?).
They also took umbrage to her green skin (which by the way is explained just before the ending). Besides being an animal activist, she has a good heart and humility. Wicks really works at delivering redundant, lack-luster songs (other than “Defying Gravity”). None ever come close to using her true ability.
Glinda, played by Kendra Kassebaum, handles the sugary, self-serving Miss America character with amazing grace, considering the part is fluff and Kassebaum’s seasoned talent and vocal capabilities make it acceptable. She is a tiny adorable, loveable cherub with great comedic timing and energy. (She was also in the 2005 production.)
David Garrison’s Wizard, (also a 2005 alumni) is a weak, corrupt, dictator who comes across a little too loveable for the nasty character he plays.
His role has been the most reworked and Garrison’s Wizard is much more interesting and delivered much better than Robert Morse’s unexciting Wizard in the 2003 production.
For the most part the cast is hard-working and no doubt talented – if they could just get past the lackluster choreography and the smoke and mirrors.
“Wicked” is eye candy with great scenery, creative colorful costumes, great lighting and over-the-top special effects that sometime overwhelm. Kids will love the hoopla and special effects as the dark subplot slithers over their heads.
Highly lauded director Joe Mantello – who won a Tony for “Take Me Out” – and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz of “Godspell,” “Pippin” and “Pocahontas” fame, were able to garner the production three Tony’s. After reworking and sculpting, this edgy, very expensive musical makes a gallant attempt to hold your attention for almost three hours!
They removed some unnecessary clutter here and there from past productions, but kept the huge puppet type dolls (Flatheads) that suddenly materialize for no purpose in one of the production numbers. (Did I miss something?)
Considering this is a $14 million dollar production, the powers that be had their work cut out for them and they did deliver an over-the-top fantasy that does entertain – when it stays on the yellow brick road.
