 |
| Talia Suskauer and Allison Bailey |
Hello, you munchkins out there.
Do I have news for you! One of the most endearing and enduring Broadway
musicals of all time, the touring production of Wicked, is making its fourth stop at Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre.
And just like the previous iterations, this production is as enchanting as
ever. #hocoarts
Scored by Stephen
Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman, Wicked is based on the 1995 Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked
Witch of the West, itself a retelling of the classic 1900 novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L.
Frank Baum and the iconic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. Who hasn’t seen at least once The Wizard of Oz?
Wicked, which
opened on Broadway in 2003, captured three Tony Awards and a host of other
accolades. The prevailing color
throughout is green. You see it in the lighting, the costumes, the skin color
of a main character, the color of a potion that created the skin color, the
Emerald City, even envy.
And speaking of green, Wicked is the second highest grossing
Broadway musical of all time trailing only The
Lion King. Why? Because both musicals offer high quality entertainment and
appeal to children as well as adults thus broadening the audience.
 |
| Talia Suskauer in "Defying Gravity" |
Multiple Tony Award winner Joe
Mantello helms a sterling spectacle at the Hippodrome presenting optimal stage
magic and effects that when combined with a talented cast and great music, it
results in a captivating, one could say a jaw-dropping, theatrical experience.
Under the musical direction of
Conductor Evan Roider, the orchestration is wonderful and well-balanced. The
wizardry on the stage is highlighted by the signature production number “Defying
Gravity” that brings down the curtain (and the house) at the end of the first
act. It is worth the price of admission just to see that performed.
The story of Wicked takes place prior to Baum’s novel
and before the fictional Dorothy was even alive. In an unusually plot-heavy
musical, there are so many twists and turns one might get whiplash. Nonetheless,
the story is easy to follow despite the rapid pace of the action particularly
in the second act.
It tells of two young girls from
the Land of Oz in which one was born with green skin named Elphaba who is
played exceptionally by Talia Suskauer. The other, Galinda, who changes her
name later to Glinda, played by Allison Bailey, simply radiates beauty. They
cross paths in school but to say their relationship was complicated is an
understatement.
Possessing disparate appearances,
outlooks and personalities, the two begin as rivals then end up as close
friends. Their evolution includes a rivalry over their common love-interest, Fiyero,
played effectively by Curt Hansen as well as their reactions to the corruption
of the Wizard’s government.
 |
| Allison Bailey and Talia Suskauer |
The contrasts between Elphaba
and Glinda couldn’t be starker. Elphaba was smart, intense, an advocate for
animals and possessed the skills of magic though limited in that capacity. Glinda was bubbly, pretentious, gorgeous,
self-centered and manipulative. Where Elphaba’s green skin that was caused by a
potion given to her mother by the mother’s lover caused her to be basically
rejected by her non-biological father and ostracized at school, Glinda was
extremely popular, and she had no trouble reminding people of that.
Friendship and trust are the
underlying themes as well as prejudice and tolerance. Government corruption
also plays a role in the story. And what may appear wicked or good to some may
actually be the reverse. As the saying goes, never judge a book by its cover. The
story makes you think as well as being entertained. If you haven’t seen Wicked before, you’re in for a treat. If
you have, the magic will continue.
Talia Suskauer as Elphaba is
simply outstanding. Who among us haven’t felt they were the underdog at some
point? We can certainly relate to Elphaba to a degree, and Ms. Suskauer’s acting skills draw empathy from the audience.
But her Mezzo-Soprano vocals are
undoubtedly Broadway caliber. She shines
in every song she participates in, notably “The Wizard and I,” a duet with
Sharon Sachs playing the role of Madame Morrible; “I’m Not That Girl;” “As Long
As You’re Mine,” a sensational duet with Curt Hansen; and a bona fide
showstopper, “No Good Deed,” a brilliant solo that evoked a thunderous ovation
from the appreciative audience the evening this performance was reviewed.
Stunningly beautiful Allison
Bailey effectively conveys the complex personality of Galinda/Glinda. Ditzy
when she wants to be, smart when she needs to be, Ms. Bailey portrays the
character with relish. Her beautiful Soprano
voice is on display in “Popular,” the reprise of “I’m Not That Girl” and in the
emotionally charged duet with Ms. Suskauer “For Good.”
My only quibble has to do with
the sound design. It wasn’t clear if Ms. Bailey’s mic wasn’t turned up sufficiently
or if she needed to project more especially during dialogues in the first act. Whatever the cause, hopefully some sound
adjustment will take place in subsequent performances.
 |
| Curt Hansen as Fiyero |
Having appeared in the Broadway
production of Wicked, Curt Hansen is
quite familiar with the part of Fiyero, another complex character. He plays the
role of the handsome common love-interest of Elphaba and Glinda with verve and
enthusiasm. Mr. Hansen showcases his potent tenor voice in the duet with Ms. Suskauer
“As Long As You’re Mine.”
Other fine performances are
turned in by Cleavant Derricks as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz; Amanda Fallon
Smith as Nessarose; Elphaba’s younger sister born paralyzed from the waist down
and who was her father’s clear favorite; the aforementioned Sharon Sachs as
Madame Morrible, Tom Flynn as Doctor Dillamond, the fatherly professor-goat who
could speak but was silenced by the powers that be; and DJ Plunkett as the
munchkin Boq who as of this writing, is still looking for love.
The leads are supported by an energetic
ensemble that performs proficiently to the choreography of James Lynn Abbott.
Kenneth Posner’s lighting design
is beyond superb in its creativity and execution. Susan Hilferty’s costume
design is so imaginative and eclectic it is indescribable.
The set designed by Eugene Lee
while aesthetically appealing, could be confusing. The prevailing background
theme is a Time Dragon Clock from the book. If you didn’t read the novel (I
didn’t), you would not understand its significance. However, other scenery has
more clarity and the one depicting the crashed house form the tornado with the
cornfield in the background (pictured) is gorgeous.
Wicked is an
entertainment bonanza with interesting characters, eye-pleasing staging, a lush
score and sterling performers. Parents should be eager to bring their children
if for nothing else, there is good messaging within the plot with lessons to be
learned. It is highly recommended.
Running time. Two hours and 45
minutes with an intermission.
Wicked runs through
March 8 at the Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center,
12 N. Eutaw St, Baltimore, MD 21201. For
tickets, visit here or here , call 800-982-ARTS, or
visit the Hippodrome Box Office located at 12 N Eutaw St, Baltimore, MD 21201.
Photos: Joan Marcus
No comments:
Post a Comment