“Wicked” in its world premiere at the Curran in San Francisco is
the untold story of the witches of Oz. Taken from the 1995 novel
“Wicked” by Gregory Maguire, the story takes us through the time
before Oz as we knew it. This prequel paints a dark allegorical
portrait that shows what made the
witches of Oz come into their ultimate personalities. I was
happy with the enchanting L. Frank Baum tale where Dorothy clicks
the heels of the ruby slippers and she and Toto make it back to
Kansas and lived happily ever after.
“Wicked” in its world premiere at the Curran in San Francisco is the untold story of the witches of Oz. Taken from the 1995 novel “Wicked” by Gregory Maguire, the story takes us through the time before Oz as we knew it. This prequel paints a dark allegorical portrait that shows what made the witches of Oz come into their ultimate personalities. I was happy with the enchanting L. Frank Baum tale where Dorothy clicks the heels of the ruby slippers and she and Toto make it back to Kansas and lived happily ever after.
(By the way in Baum’s book the slippers were silver.)
The Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba (Indina Manzel) 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 and took umbrage to her green skin. Beside being an animal activist she had a good heart and humility. Manzel delivers redundant lack-luster songs which never come close to using her true ability. Manzel won acclaim for her role as Maureen in “Rent” on Broadway.
Glinda, played by Kristin Chenoweth, handles the sugary, self-serving Miss America character with amazing grace considering the part is fluff and only one with her seasoned talent and vocal capabilities could make it acceptable. She is a tiny adorable cherub with great comedic timing and energy.
Robert Morse, as in this case, is a corrupt, dictator type wizard, walks through the production like he has done it all before and is a little less than bored with the whole hullabaloo.
For the most part the cast is hard-working and no doubt talented if they could just get past the smoke and mirrors.
“Wicked” is eye candy with great scenery, creative colorful costumes, quirky choreography and over the top special effects that sometime overwhelm a moment when you can almost get your hands on something real.
Highly lauded director Joe Mantello who just won a Tony for “Take Me Out” and the music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz of “Godspell”, “Pippin” and “Pocahantas” fame will have to make some drastic adjustments if this extravaganza is going to see the lights of Broadway. They are going to have to move some unnecessary clutter here and there, like the huge puppet type dolls, (Flatheads) that suddenly materialized for no purpose in one of the productions numbers. (Did I miss something???)
Considering this $14 million production is planning to open on Broadway in October, the powers that be have their work cut out for them if this over-the-top fantasy is going to make it.
Camille Bounds is the theater and arts editor for Sunrise Publications-Western Division
