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‘Wicked’ at the Fox
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
THEATER REVIEW. Through May 28. Grade: B -
Being bad has never looked so good.
No wonder Elphaba, she of the green face and pointy hat, is the witch that everyone roots for in Stephen Schwartz’s musical “Wicked.� The once and future Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba may not be a conventional looker and popular girl like her best friend Glinda, who grows up to be Queen of Munchkin Land.
But Elphaba gets the special powers. She gets to fly. And to the chagrin of Glinda, she gets the boy.
“Wicked,� the astonishingly popular musical based on Gregory Maguire’s “Wizard of Oz� prequel, began its two-week-long, sold-out run at the Fox Theatre on Wednesday, and it’s clear that the supernatural love triangle has made a mostly victorious transition from Broadway.
A super-size spectacle that packs a bounty of nifty scenic doo-dads, splendiferous costumes, a clever book laden with one-liners and a few catchy song for good measure, “Wicked� is nearly fool-proof.
You get your money’s worth, but what’s lacking are fully sustained breakout numbers for its stars. Perhaps because the singing and instrumentation was a little murky on opening night, the power of Glinda’s “Popular� and Elphaba’s “I’m Not that Girl� seemed to evaporate. At three hours (including intermission), this is a mighty long show for smidgens of tunefulness. “Thank Goodness� (“we couldn’t be happier�) needs to sparkle, but it didn’t.
And yet, the performers make up for any vocal thinness by making smart comedic choices. Julia Murney (Elphaba) and Kendra Kassebaum (Glinda) step into the indelible parts created by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, respectively, and if they don’t summon the full-out diva dimensions of their Broadway predecessors, they create vivid characterizations that ultimately win you over.
Considering her character’s emerald demeanor, Murney is more a natural beauty than odd duck, and there’s calculated understatement and control in the way she builds Elphaba’s transformation from victim to smouldering hottie to moral crusader. Kassebaum’s Glinda (it’s “Galinda� at first) is more the plump smart alec than svelte fairy-tale princess, but she brings a streak of Karen Walker acid to a blonde-bubble part that was borrowed from Alicia Silverstone’s “Clueless.� Both performances work.
A mixture of “Harry Potter� and “Cinderella,� “Wicked� is a circle narrative that begins with the watery demise of the Wicked Witch — “How dead is she?� says one doubting Ozian — then spins back in time to explain how she became the person she was.
The story playfully throws in references to sequinned slippers and the Yellow Brick Road, and explains the provenance of the Lion, Scarecrow and Tin Man, but it does so through the warp of time. The intelligence of that conceit is that the “Wicked� characters don’t know anything about Dorothy and Toto, but we get smiles of recognition because we understand what’s on the other side of the curtain.
Elphaba and Glinda meet at a boarding school called Shiz, where Elphaba becomes the star pupil of the deliciously arch Madame Morrible (the wonderful Alma Cuervo) and eventually gains entree to the Wizard (P.J. Benjamin, who sings like the old pro that he is).
Whipping up mischief are a few other subplots involving sinister world domination; family secrets and a romantic lark between Elphaba’s disabled sister, Nessarose (Jennifer Waldman), and a munchkin. But the most important turn of events is the arrival of Fiyero (Sebastian Arcelus), a bad-boy prince with a rock-star voice who captures Glinda’s attention.
This, of course, is where things really start to go wicked.
Directed by Broadway golden boy Joe Mantello, who seems to be staging everything these days, “Wicked� hangs together by virtue of its smart writing and dizzying visuals. (Costumes are by Susan Hilferty, sets by Eugene Lee and lighting by Kenneth Posner.)
The genius of “Wicked� may be that it makes us forgive, and forget, its musical inadequacies. When Elphaba mounts her broom and flies off to conquer Oz, the lines between good and evil melt into puddles of awe and wonder, and our hearts defy gravity.
THE 411: 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; also 2 p.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. Sundays. Special matinee at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 18. Through May 28. Presented by Broadway Across America, Atlanta. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E. 404-873-4300 or 404-817-8700. Broadway AcrossAmerica.com.
THE VERDICT: Hits all the soar spots.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Cari Archibald
May 18, 2006 11:48 AM | Link to this
B-? I disagree with this rating whole heartedly! I saw the show last night and it was nothing short of spectacular! The audience was mesmerized. The incredible mix of musical talent, humor, costumes, and dance had my full attention throughout! The performance was fabulous! A must see for anyone!!
By Beth Inman
May 18, 2006 8:24 PM | Link to this
Did you see the same show I did? I frankly have never seen a response quite like the one that Julia Murney received after her first song.The jubilation continued for both stars throughout the night. I don’t use the term stars lightly. These women were fabulous. I thought the production was wonderful and,from the response around me, so did everyone else. From a veteran observer- Well Done!
By theater lover
May 18, 2006 11:35 PM | Link to this
B-? ….I’d give it a C- . I love musicals, and can’t remember the last time I didn’t leave the Fox thrilled! This musical did not project well to the back of the theater, seemed “too small” for the large stage avaialbe at Fox, and in general, was underwhelming. None of the songs stuck in my mind, or left me wanting to buy the soundtrack.
By Tom Cain
May 19, 2006 12:36 AM | Link to this
I found nothing ‘murky’ in this musical. It may not be a perfect vehicle (perhaps Mr. Brock would prefer that Sir Andrew had written the charts), but I don’t need to have dance-version-length songs in a musical to enjoy it. The clever rhyming of the lyrics throughout was delightful, as well as, the late twists and turns which received audible satisfaction from the audience.
What is the purpose of musical theatre ? Is it to sastisfy critics, or entertain ? The buzz from the crowd at intermission and following the show suggests that the latter was acheived even with the B-.
This production deserves an A.
By Scott
May 19, 2006 11:34 PM | Link to this
WICKED was WONDERFUL! No doubt about it, in this humble theatre-goers mind.
I attended the 2:00pm matinee, on Thursday, May 18, with a great seat Second Row, Center Orchestra. From the first downbeat of the overture to the final scene, I sat there mesmerized by what was unfolding before me.
It goes without saying that the extravagant costumes, those wild wigs, the moving sets and props, highly effecting stage lighting and other special effects, etc. were magnificent.
The dancing numbers were well choreographed and well staged.
The vocal numbers… well… I knew them all by heart, having listened to the Original Broadway Cast CD Recording for the past couple of months. The words of the several memorable songs tell the story admirably.
At this matinee performance, Annaleigh Ashley filled in for Kendra Kassebaum, and Vitoria Matlock filled in for Julia Murney. They were brilliant in their respective roles, and played them believably, with full heart and soul.
I frankly LOVED THESE TWO! They gave their performances 100%, and then some!
And the thousands in attendance at the FOX this Thursday afternoon gave these two and the rest of the ensemble a rousing, strong, loving round of rapturous applause at the final curtain.
I felt that the principle actors all CONNECTED on stage so very well, as did the rest of the cast who portrayed the Citizens of Oz, the Guards, the Monkeys and so forth.
During the final bows I found myself in tears watching this magnificent cast take its much-deserved bows. A laugh slipped in when Glinda (Annaleigh Ashley)hugged Elphaba (Victoria Matlock) and actually jumped up on her in that sizeable sparkly ballgown! It was a sweet, genuine and touching and, I’m sure, unscripted moment.
HURRAH for the Atlanta production of WICKED!
Thanks for giving me this chance to express my opinion.
By Alex
May 20, 2006 10:27 AM | Link to this
I have been reading about and listening to Wicked for the past year or more. We are seeing it 05/27 and I could not be more excited! I think it will be a wonderful story that will delight us all and show us that “things arent always what they seem”. Ive always been a fan of musical theatre and this one has captured me…. I couldn’t be happier!
By Marilyn
May 20, 2006 7:01 PM | Link to this
I would like to suggest that perhaps a woman needs to review “Wicked�. I have read reviews from Boston and Atlanta. There was never a more moving musical than “Wicked� (except perhaps “Les Miserable�). Wicked appeals to children, adults, political analysts and WOMEN!!! I could watch this show or listen to the CD at varing times and derive something different. I am a married woman with two daughters and am able to see the value of this play for myself and my two daughters. Everyone in Boston raved about the play, the actors and set design, except the male reviewer. Perhaps a man is not the best judge of what’s best in this case. It’s difficult to watch a play where you’re not the center of attention. Our daughters, (“Surviving Ophelia�), need to see this play. Julia Murney and Kendra Kassebaum were exquisite. I usually am disappointed after listening to the Broadway CD but was vastly impressed by their performances. Better than Broadway!!!!!
Marilyn Mahoney Boston, MA
By Lost in Oz
May 21, 2006 8:25 PM | Link to this
I saw it today at the matinee. Victoria Matlock performed for Elphaba and was outstanding. I thought the production was wonderful. With the exception of one song, I wan’t familiar with the music ahead of time. I came home and downloaded it off I Tunes and am listening to it right now.
A+ from me.
By Wizard
May 22, 2006 10:03 AM | Link to this
I just saw Wicked on Sunday 5/21. I had never been to the Fox Theatre before, it was the best theatre I’ve ever been to. The show made the whole night surreal. The flow of the show made the three hours fly by. I’ve never heard an audience respond that welll to the quirky movements of Galinda/Glinda and sarcastic one-liners of Elphaba. Thanks for a wonderful night.
By Ka-Bar
May 22, 2006 2:45 PM | Link to this
Folks, please remember that the reviewer was not criticizing “Wicked: The Musical,” merely the performance he saw. I saw the Friday evening performance and would have given that one a B. I was very impressed with a lot of things, and of course it is a fantastic musical. My biggest disappointment was that the orchestration/reduction of the accompaniment was horrible: it didn’t project, and lots of important accompaniment figures were just omitted. The cast singing was also terrible: pitch was fine, but they just never came in together. On the other hand, the stars were excellent (although Kassebaum’s Elfaba completely upstaged Murney’s Elfaba). The show was overall great and I enjoyed it very much. I hope to see it again…with a little more polishing, this cast can give an A+ performance.
By Christy
May 22, 2006 4:54 PM | Link to this
I agree with the above reviewer. The chorus was just sloppy with entrances and cut-offs. They had quite a few problems with blending as well. These are problems that I am surprised to find in a touring Brodadway show! I also agree that Kassebaum’s Glinda absolutely upstaged Murney’s Elfaba! This is a problem that lies in the actors, not the characters. I saw this show on Broadway last fall and the two leads were both AMAZING!… there was never a time in NY when I felt one upstaged the other! Murney’s voice was strong at times but I felt like she was having trouble deciding what voice she wanted to use (head, belt, etc..) possibly a problem due to vocal fatigue? However, the story is great and overall the show was pleasing! (and i rather enjoyed that it lasted SO long!)
By Christy
May 22, 2006 4:54 PM | Link to this
I agree with the above reviewer. The chorus was just sloppy with entrances and cut-offs. They had quite a few problems with blending as well. These are problems that I am surprised to find in a touring Brodadway show! I also agree that Kassebaum’s Glinda absolutely upstaged Murney’s Elfaba! This is a problem that lies in the actors, not the characters. I saw this show on Broadway last fall and the two leads were both AMAZING!… there was never a time in NY when I felt one upstaged the other! Murney’s voice was strong at times but I felt like she was having trouble deciding what voice she wanted to use (head, belt, etc..) possibly a problem due to vocal fatigue? However, the story is great and overall the show was pleasing! (and i rather enjoyed that everything lasted SO long!)
By Ann-Carol Pence
May 25, 2006 5:37 PM | Link to this
After more than 3 years after reading Gregory McGwire’s ingenious novel and after more than a year of listening Steven Schwartz’ music on the cast recording, WICKED lived up to the expectations I had conjured. Long after people left the show last night, I could hear the humming of some haunting melody or friends quoting some great song lyric.The power of musical theatre was palpible in the air last night; we cheered to hear Julia Murney’s joyful exhuberence in “The Wizard and I.” Even from the balcony, we enjoyed the quirky physical humor that infused Kendra Kassebaum’s rendition of “Popular.” When I looked down in the orchetra pit at intermission, I saw the most magical site. I saw an entire orchestra pit full of musicians! I praise any production that resists the urge to produce glorified Karaoke! Theatre is in such a fragile state, we should encourage ticket sales, stimulate dialogue. Let’s not give the buying public any excuse to stay home. What if more people went to theatre? What if that group of new people each built their own lexicon of play & musical knowledge? It was clear the audience loved each homage paid to L. Frank Baum’s original books or The Wizard of Oz movie. (And for music nerds - the phrase “Unlimited - my future is unlimited” is actually the same melody as “Somewhere over the Rainbow.”)The human mind longs for connection - connection to our past as well as human connection. I was not fortunate enough to see the originals - neither is most of America these days, but being in the Fox Theatre with 3000 other musical theatre fans and witnessing such tremendous powerhouse women (and you too Fiyero) was money well spent. As I sat in my seat as the house lights signaled intermission, I wiped tears from my cheek. No cd can replace the feeling I get watching an actor perform a great song. “And nobody in all of Oz, no CRITIC that there is or was, is ever gonna bring me down!” Brava WICKED!!!!