"Wicked" is worth the wait

We could consider all of this a reward for patiently waiting for a hit show that has been on Broadway for almost seven years to finally make it to Milwaukee. The cruel reality of geography is that our city's proximity to Chicago leads to us being cut out of touring schedules while producers think there is a dollar left to be made in the Windy City. It's a right's issue.

Big hits sometimes play the high school auditorium in Goosebump, Alaska before they are seen here. But let's not dwell on this gross injustice and instead bask in the green glow of "Wicked" that surrounds the Marcus Center through Aug. 8.

A prequel to L. Frank Baum's novel "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" and the classic film it spawned, "Wicked" tells the story of emerald-skinned Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. The stage musical is based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel "The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West."

We could call this a bit of revisionist history because Elphaba turns out to be an interesting and semi-tragic character. Who knew?

"Wicked" takes us from the moment of her birth through her eventual demise, and at times it runs parallel with "The Wizard of Oz." Dialogue in "Wicked's" second act refers to "The Wizard of Oz" as if it were being simultaneously performed on a stage next door.

The better you know the plot details in "The Wizard of Oz," the more you will get out of "Wicked," but mere familiarity with Baum's story is all that is necessary.

Pre-teen and early teen girls quickly adopted "Wicked" when it opened in New York in 2003, driving with multiple repeat visits a Broadway box office that is still thriving. The attraction of the show to this demographic is primal, as the story line deals with meanness, bullying, the pain of being different and a redeeming friendship.

Winnie Holzman's libretto contains deftly realized teachable moments about kindness and generosity among young women. Holzman cut her writing teeth on television's "The Wonder Years" and "My So-Called Life."

But "Wicked" is much more than a musical about girlish angst. Adults can enjoy it for several levels of sly and clever humor. For example, find the brief parodies of "Les Miserables" and "Evita."

We can most likely credit Joe Mantello, one of Broadway's hottest directors, with creating and/or inspiring some of "Wicked's" nuance and wit. Stephen Schwartz's traditional show tune score includes such catchy numbers as "I'm Not That Girl," "Defying Gravity" and "Popular." Try forgetting those songs after you leave the theater.

Road companies of Broadway shows come in varying degrees of quality, and this "Wicked" is a solid five star offering. The entire cast could be plugged into the New York production tonight without anyone missing a beat. We hear major league singing voices and see polished acting throughout the troupe.

Sound, lighting, costumes and the legendary Eugene Lee's steampunk set are top shelf. And how can you not love a show with flying monkeys?

Coming to Broadway...

Speaking of Broadway, Vanessa Redgrave and James Earl Jones return there this fall in a revival of "Driving Miss Daisy." Performances are scheduled to begin Oct. 7, and I smell a hit.

"Daisy" opened off-Broadway in 1987, and it won the Pulitzer Prize for drama the following year...

New York Post theater columnist Michael Riedel is reporting that Aretha Franklin passed up an opportunity to make her Broadway debut because of a ladder. She was interested in being a replacement in the mother role in the hit musical "Fela!" until she noticed that the character sings a song while perched at the top of a ladder.

"I'm not climbing that ladder every night," Riedel quotes her as saying. Patti LaBelle will.

7 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by karlbarl on July 31, 2010 at 3:41 p.m. (report)

Saw it last night and I agree with the other commenter. The accoustics needed help.

Posted by acbp on July 26, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. (report)

I was at the performance on 7/22 - during the giant storm. While we loved what we saw, we did not enjoy the water flooding by our feet! Hopefully they can fix whatever is wrong with the theater.

Posted by Poeartemer on July 24, 2010 at 1:33 p.m. (report)

I attended the July 20th performance of "WICKED" thanks to OMC....All of the plays were FANTASTIC.... They saved the BEST for last! Thankyou so much "BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA" also to OnMilwaukee for the contest to win the Series! I thoroughly loved being part of this! THANKYOU!!!

Posted by swami says on July 23, 2010 at 11:58 a.m. (report)

Having read this review before seeing the Milwaukee production, I was specifically looking for homage to Evita and Les Miserables. While the Evita's balcony scene stares you in the face, the Les Miserables reference is a little harder to find. We debated after the performance, was it the group, mob scene or the love triangle... inquiring minds want to know what you're thinking, Damien.

Posted by Izzatso on July 22, 2010 at 11:38 p.m. (report)

Broadway across America screwed up when they put Wicked in the Marcus Center. It would be a much better experience for the spectators if it was in the Milw Theatre.

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