Moments after the conclusion of the popular Broadway musical "Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz," my initial thought was that I had just experienced a play where "The Wizard of Oz" met "E! True Hollywood Story."
The stage production definitely doesn't present your mother's Oz memories. Instead, it establishes a bizzaro world of Oz in the first act.
There's no Dorothy, Toto, scarecrows, lions or tin men. Instead, the audience is retold the events found in the film, complete with conspiracy cover-ups, betrayals and murder plots - replete of the seediness attributed to most exposes.
It may seem bratty to some - "Wicked" definitely hits a certain chord with its younger female fans - but despite the initial teenybopper-esque feel, the musical develops a certain charm strengthened by the tongue-in-cheek humor scattered throughout.
The musical begins with the citizens of Oz celebrating the death of the Wicked Witch of the West. Glinda the Good Witch (Katie Rose Clarke) confirms the witch's melting, and upon questioning, tells a story about the relationship between herself and the departed.
The story line travels back in time to years prior to the birth of green-skinned Elphaba Thropp (Carmen Cusack), the protagonist who later becomes the Wicked Witch of the West. We find out that she endures a miserable childhood due to discrimination because of her bizarre physical attributes and magical powers, something intensified upon arrival to the fictional Shiz University where she attends school.
Elphaba's roommate at Shiz is a social climber, Galinda Upland, who one day becomes Glinda the Good Witch, marking the start of an immediate revulsion between the two for each other. During their time at Shiz, Elphaba is crafted as a rebellious magical prodigy while Galinda becomes a desirable popularity queen admired by the university student body.
Elphaba's aptitude as a spellcaster eventually lands her a role as a private pupil under Shiz headmistress Madame Morrible (Myra Lucretia Taylor) and as a helper for Dr. Dillamond (Tom Flynn), a goat who serves as Shiz's only animal instructor.
Shortly thereafter, we meet the other principle characters of the play. Fiyero (Cliffton Hall), a self-absorbed prince who serves as Galinda's love interest, Boq (Brad Weinstock), a munchkin with unrequited love for Galinda, and Nessarose (Deedee Magno Hall), Elphaba's sister who one day becomes the Wicked Witch of the East.
When the ties that bind "Wicked" and "Wizard of Oz" begin to take form, the aura is reminiscent of a Disney movie with a classic good vs. evil scenario that draws the audience in, and keeps them there with a wonderful score courtesy of composer Stephen Schwartz.
There is genuine attachment with characters that greatly differ from the film - people cheering for the not so "Wicked" Witch and the hardly "Wonderful" Wizard of Oz - powered by numerous musical selections that not only strengthen each character's development but add a different dynamic to them.
Despite their differences, the first act culminates in a friendship between Elphaba and a newly named Glinda (quipping that the "guh" is now silent). By virtue of this relationship, Cusack and Clarke do an exceptional job as the pillars of the play, their chemistry resonating each time they share the stage. Their dialogue provides humorous exchanges given the contrast between Elphaba's stern personality and Glinda's spastic behavior.
It's also a sight to see. "Wicked's" popularity certainly goes hand in hand with the awesome production value that could go toe-to-toe with any Hollywood big budget blockbuster.
Simply put, "Wicked" is a fun experience. Stellar acting and vocal performances complimented by larger-than-life visuals bring the story to life in a way "Wizard of Oz" never could. True to its roots, Elphaba's story flawlessly bewitches the audience - no warts whatsoever to speak of.