Quote of the Day: (lyrics from For Good, duet between Glinda and Elphaba, from Wicked)

I’ve heard it said, that people come into our lives,  for a reason,
bringing something we must learn.
And we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them,
and we help them in return.
Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true,
but I know I’m who I am today because I knew you…

This was my third time seeing one of the most popular Broadway musicals, Wicked, and the first time for my two theater companions. It is filled with magic, friendship, devastation, cruelty, prejudice, hopes, fears, bravery and kindness, and all the emotions that make up a life. The novelist Gregory Maguire imagined a world where villains are created, not born. They become what others see in them, and react to how they’re treated. He provided a backstory to the characters and their world, taking what L. Frank Baum started in his stories about The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and giving them more for us to see and experience. It’s both fantastical & fun, dark & foreboding. The creators of the musical Wicked, Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, give us whimsey and magic, and also dip into the dark side of humans and the world. Some of the colors and setting are bright and beautiful. Other parts are a little frightening and grim. They also show us that what we see, and are told that we see, are not always the clear picture. It’s trying to show us, there is more to the story.

Claudia Bennett as Glinda and Aline Mayagoitia as Elphaba in the North American Tour of WICKED, photo by Joan Marcus

The two leads in this production are outstanding. Aline Mayagoitia as Elphaba is confident and fierce with a voice that raises the rafters during Defying Gravity, while also being tender and pure during quieter moments. Her performance is controlled and strong, and she commands the stage and scene. The connection between Elphaba and Glinda feels like a real enemies to friends transformation. Claudia Bennett plays a darling Glinda. She is spellbinding in her gorgeous costumes, fun entrances in her bubble, and playful stage presence. Her singing is absolutely gorgeous as she flits effortlessly onto those high notes and sits there a moment, letting us float away into their spell. The two singers’ voices blend perfectly. I was captivated by their duet For Good, a favorite song from the show. They were also quite funny and fun to listen to in an earlier song, What Is This Feeling?

Ethan Kirschbaum as Fiyero, Claudia Bennett as Glinda, Susan Cella as Madame Morrible, and ensemble of Wicked, North American Tour, Photo: Joan Marcus

Susan Cella was a terrific Madame Morrible. I adored Tom McGowan (whom I remember from the TV show Frasier, among other things) as the Wizard, giving him so much more heart than the original character from the 1939 film. Ethan Kirschbaum is a charismatic Fiyero. Pablo David Laucerica is an energetic and sympathetic Boq. Loved Drew McVety as Doctor Dillamond. Cristina Sastre is strong as Nessarose. Everyone had strong vocals, including the ensemble. So many powerful moments both musically and emotionally. I got goosebumps and tears in my eyes in several scenes, but the one that gets me the most is Gravity. What a way to end Act I!

Tom McGowan as The Wizard in the North American Tour of WICKED, photo by Matt Crockett_9457_RT

The stage production of Wicked is spellbinding. You can’t replace that feeling with any other media. It has to be experienced live, where you see the magic of theater come to life and feel the emotions of the actors. The live orchestra is in the pit, under the direction of Faith Seetoo. They are providing all those complex notes that produce the atmosphere and emotions of the story. They were perfect. 

Cristina Sastre as Nessarose and Pablo David Laucerica as Boq in the North American Tour of WICKED, photo by Joan Marcus (0387r)

I’ll let the photos speak for themselves when it comes to the set (designed by Eugene Lee) and gorgeous and elaborate costumes (designed by Susan Hilferty). Lighting design by Kenneth Posner, and Sound design by Tony Meola. Projections by Elaine J. McCarthy. Wigs & Hair by Tom Watson, and Special Effects by Chic Silber. So many special effects and theater magic! Wicked is directed by Joe Mantello. Musical staging by Wayne Cilento.

Thousands of people still attend productions of Wicked every week around the world, flocking to theaters since it premiered in 2003. The recent movies are introducing a whole new set of young people to the show, and it won’t lose it’s magical draw any time soon. This is a production worth seeing! You can see it at the Orpheum in Minneapolis, MN through Aug. 9. Visit Hennepin Arts for tickets and showtimes. Check out the Wicked North America Tour for other cities where they will be performing. 

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt: What makes stories that include magic so popular? If you had a magic power, what would it be?