One of the most popular musicals is on tour in North America and I got another chance to see it right here in Toledo, Ohio. Since this is not my first time seeing the show I came with expectations especially since this was a smaller city and stage than other places I've seen it, I lowered my expectations.
Why do so many of us like Wicked? I can't speak for everyone else but for me it's the relation to Elphaba. I've stood out for most my life (not just personality wise) for my physical look as well. I've been tall as long as I can remember and always been one of the few minorities in a predominately white school. I naturally stood out but luckily not for having green skin.
Elphaba is a favorite character for a lot of us because she stands out and stands up for what is right even if she is the only one. Circumstances forced her to harden her heart in witnessing the loss of those she loved.
I was impressed with the overall show. I also came to realize anybody I've seen play Glinda has done a phenomenal job but I surely could never be friends with that character in real life. Besides the blondness, the perkiness and voice would really get under my skin. I also got a chance to meet the guy who played Fiyero before the play: David Nathan Perlow. He had a cute nerdy look to him but when he played Fiyero, he became a super stud.
I was overly impressed with the set and costume changes. Working I theatre and having seamless and quick transitions is quite the task to pull off. The audience was never left waiting long for the next scene start start.
The voices of each character matched up pretty good from the original broadway musical and that made it so much easier to enjoy. When Wicked is one's favorite musical and the soundtrack gets listened to once a week...everybody else is always compared to the original sound. I liked how Elphie and Glinda had range but the woman who played Elphaba made the songs her own a bit. A few times she added some soul or runs in the chords that made it more enjoyable.
One song I was a bit disappointed was The Wizard and I. This is almost a complete solo song where Elphaba dares to dream; she is in her own empowering moment. I felt the acting should have climbed with the song. Jennifer DiNoia who plays Elphie was amazing at being this awkward outcast who had a smart caring side to her. That song should have been utilized as a better platform for gaining power and confidence in Elphaba right behind Defying Gravity. Before Elphie is declared wicked, she was portrayed great but when she was the evil witch, Jennifer didn't have enough of a dark side to be 100% convincing. That didn't take away from her performance at all; she still did a wonderful job.
This was happily my second favorite show I've seen and plan to gladly pay to see it again. Wicked is my hands-down favorite musical so I will always have high standards for it. The cast was impressive especially when they added their own lines to make the musical more comical. I laughed, I felt empowered, I even felt the betrayal. I definitely recommend this to my musical maniacs, Wizard of Oz fans, and theatre geeks. Quite the enjoyable show that can only be taken advantage of in person. So find the nearest show to you and buy your ticket! It's completely worth it.
In the meantime, enjoy this modern musical remake of Wizard of Oz...I absolutely love it!
