Review for the musical

 WICKED, The Untold Story of the witches of Oz

The Casts

Jemma Rix as Elphaba

Suzie Mathers as Glinda

Steve Danielsen as Fiyero

Maggie Kirkpatrick as Madame Morrible

Emily Cascarino as Nessarose

Edward Grey as Boq

Glen Hogstorm as Dr. Dillamond

Ali Calder as (Standby) Elphaba

The Production Staff

Joe mantello – Director

Eugene Lee – scenic design

David stone, universal pictures, etc. – producers

Stephen Schwartz – music and lyrics

Winnie holtzman – book

Gregory Maguire – author of the novel

Introduction:

In this month of February, I will divert for a moment from my usual review of movies to reviewing a musical I saw at the Cultural Center of the Philippines last February 13, 2014 with two good friends who, like me, enjoyed it so much: Wicked, The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz. I am sharing here my own thoughts of the musical, how it touched me, and probably how much I enjoyed it, like the rest who was in the theater that fun-filled evening. It is quite different to make a review of something that is not within my comfort zone. But, like other works of art, a musical has a lot to tell, teach, and entertain us. So, here is my review.

The Musical

Featuring the music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holtzman, and based on the best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked tells the story of two girls who met in the Land of Oz who then became close friends, so close that they even end up like real sisters. It’s a story about love, friendship, being different and loving it, pursuit for dreams, and, most of all, it is about the power of goodness that I believe is in the heart of everyone, including those we believed (and perhaps, misunderstood) to be “wicked.”

Galinda (played by Suzie Mathers), who later became Glinda because of Dr. Dillamond's difficulty in pronouncing her name, is a blonde, beautiful, ambitious, and popular girl, while Elphaba (played by Jemma Rix), born with  emerald-green skin that makes her look so distinct from the rest, is a smart, compassionate, and outspoken girl who dreamed of meeting the Wizard of Oz all her life. The journey of these two friends and how they come to be called the Wicked Witch of the West (Elphaba) and Glinda the Good (Galinda) is something to behold in this spectacular, exhilarating, awe-inspiring, and  breath-taking new musical that I believe will last for years.

My Review

Wicked-ly funny! Wicked-ly exhilarating! Wicked-ly mesmerizing! Wicked-ly brainy! 

That is how great for me is Wicked, the Untold Story of the Witches of Oz!

Seldom can a musical take one’s breath away, scene after scene, song after song. The audiences’ applause from beginning to end tells it all. The choreography, the lightings (I love how the lights emphasized Elphaba’s face as she defies gravity at the end of Act I), stage design (the gigantic parts of a clock (?) on the background was captivating), the props (I love “the huge mechanical head of the wizard” with the roaring voice), music and lyrics, and the gifted, talented, and powerful voices of the lead actors and supporting actors are the various components of this musical that make it great and awesome.

What makes it really work for me are the witty, intelligible, and relatable lines that come out from the mouth of the actors, whether sung or uttered. I was so amazed at how those lines, so clearly and spontaneously delivered by the two leading actors in particular, reached the ears and the heart of the audience. I could hear giggles and “ows” in the theater as the characters exchanged words in song or in just plain conversation.

In the opening act, one could not help but be struck by a question from Galinda, “Are people born wicked? Or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?” This question set the tone for the whole story as the life of Elphaba is revealed before us, how the people treat her, how she manages to cope with being “different,” and how, through it all, she defies gravity, trusting her instincts, and soars high, thanks to her unlikely friendship with Glinda. But, what fate awaits the two of them? Watch the show then.

The Music and Lyrics

I am actually drawn to Wicked’s beautiful music and lyrics as they are sung clearly and powerfully by the two lead actors and the supporting cast. It is through these lyrics that my fondness and appreciation for this musical continues to grow. Through them, I will share my own understanding and opinion to this musical. So, allow me now to share with you some of the songs and their lyrics that moved me, which I believe moved others as well, and still does. Here they are:

1.   “Dancing through life down at the Ozdust, if only because dust is what we come to…”

Sounds true. We all end up becoming dust. And we dance through life in the pace and style that we know and love, although at times, forced by circumstances.

This line that comes from “Dancing Through Life” with Fiyero (love interest of Galinda and Elphaba), Galinda, Boq (in love with Galinda), Elphaba, and Nessarose (Elphaba’s sister who likes Boq), remarkably tell the different places of each character as they move in the dance floor of life: one liking the other who has another love interest, the other expecting to be the only love interest by someone who actually has his eye on another, yet, they all danced anyway, not knowing exactly how it will end.

2.   “Popular”

This song, which Galinda sang for Elphaba, tells us a lot about Galinda’s personality who wants her friend to be popular “just not quite as popular” as her. The bubbly rhythm of this music was matched with her cheerful and fun-filled rendition of it. This is one of the most applauded performance.

This song actually reflects something in each of us, that dream for popularity that, according to Galinda, is “not about aptitude, it’s the way you’re viewed, so it’s very shrewd to be very popular” like her. Oh, those younger years in college.

3.   “Every so often we long to steal to the land of what-might-have-been. But that doesn’t soften the ache we feel when reality sets back in.”

It’s from a melancholic song “I’m Not That Girl,” sang by Elphaba when she feels the adrenaline rush upon seeing the love of her life, but realized later that he falls for someone else (or, so she thought!). Melancholic as it may sound, this song beautifully captures an individual’s awareness of what she feels and who she is. It expresses her deep longing for what might have been. In the same song, she also tries to remind herself this way: “Don’t dream too far. Don’t lose sight of who you are.”

4.   “I’m through accepting limits ’cause someone says they’re so. Some things I cannot change, but till I try, I’ll never know….And if I’m flying solo, at least I’m flying free.”

This is from “Defying Gravity,” a captivating and exhilarating music good enough to end the First Act, worthy of deafening applause from the audience. It’s a courageous statement of a person who has awakened from her slumber, realizing what she is capable of, going for it, and bravely defies whatever she thinks can get along the way. It is also an encouraging statement for those who live in the shadow of doubts about themselves and what they are capable of.  At some points in our lives though, we must defy gravity.

5.   “One question haunts and hurts, too much, too much to mention: Was I really seeking good or just seeking attention?”

This is from the song “No Good Deed.” Here, Elphaba is in dilemma. Seeing all her loved ones (Fiyero, Nessa, Dr. Dillamond) in pain and wanting to save them but could not, and with people making her feel culpable for their fate, she vowed not to do ever again any good deed. Thus, she becomes who she is!

It makes me really reflect back to Glinda’s question at the start: “Are people born wicked? Or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?”

6.   “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….Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.”

This is from the song “For Good.” This reflects the profound friendship and influences the two ladies have for one another. A bit sad, because it also tells of goodbye. However, it is also for me an inspiring song of gratitude, forgiveness, and acceptance. And what a line to say to that someone who changed you for good because of the opportunity to know him/her.

These and the other wonderful songs make up the greatest piece of jewel in this story that happened long before Dorothy got lost in the Emerald City of Oz.

Recommendation

Was it worth the time and the money? I think so. I would not mind seeing it over and over again, had I the moneyJ!

After all, there’s that good and wicked part in all of us. As some said, “We are blended beings!” And we will always be in our lifetime. This musical helps us face this truth, accept it, live in peace with it, so we can live life to the fullest.  Once we accept this truth with all our heart and mind, then, it’s possible that we, too, could be changed FOR GOOD!

So, be wicked-ly bewitched by this musical NOW!

My rating for this musical: 4.5 (out of 5).