Give “Wicked” the greenlight.
Based on the best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire, “Wicked” the musical reveals what the Land of Oz was like before Dorothy crashed the party. The tale is told through the eyes of Elphaba, an outcast destined to become the Wicked Witch of the West.
In high school, the green-skinned, intelligent Elphaba clashes with her exact opposite ? the beautiful and popular Glinda. The unlikely pair become friends through a series of events, including falling for the same guy ? a rich boy named Fiyero. When the girls visit the Emerald City and discover a shocking truth about the Wizard, they are forced to follow their fated paths.
Peppered with humorous references to the “Wizard of Oz,” the musical summons nostalgic feelings for Munchkins, flying monkeys and ruby red slippers. It?s fun to see how the backstory affects the familiar and beloved aspects of the original 1939 film. Surprisingly, the musical follows the infamous witches before as well as after Dorothy. Valuable life lessons emerge as the story unfolds, but the tale is not preachy.
Christina DeCicco, as Glinda, hams it up for the audience with crowd-pleasing wiggles and expressions. She proves she is a master of comedic timing as a self-absorbed Barbie doll whose only concern is being liked. DeCicco, a pitch-perfect soprano, shows off her wide vocal range from the start and sustains her energy throughout the night.
Her face makeup may be green but Victoria Matlock as Elphaba is not. Her solid singing voice and relaxed stage presence seems to put the “Wicked” cast at ease. Matlock soars ? literally ? in several goosebump-raising scenes as her character?s fate comes to fruition. The actress nails the mannerisms(claw-like hands and echoing cackles) made famous by her film counterpart. However, Matlock as the younger, softer version of the Wicked Witch makes the role her own. Elphaba?s nearly palpable inner struggle evokes guilty feelings from the audience for ever hating her.
Barbara Tirrell as Madame Morrible, Cliffton Hall as Fiyero and P.J. Benjamin as the Wizard were strong supporting actors who each had their scene-stealing moments. Benjamin?s rag-time style number, “Wonderful,” was just that. “As Long as Your Mine,” “I?m not that Girl” and “For Good” sung by Hall, Matlock and DiCicco have the potential to be future Broadway classics.
Beams of colored light, couture costumes and elaborate set designs by Eugene Lee add to the aesthetic excitement. Among the most impressive sights was a massive metal dragon with beady red eyes and the Wizard?s huge mechanical mask.
“Wicked” has heart, courage, brains and brings it home.
If you go
“Wicked”
» Venue: The Hippodrome, 12 N. Eutaw St., Baltimore
» Times: Through Feb. 18, 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday
» Cost: $39 to $80
» More info: www.wickedthemusicaltour.com
