“Wicked”
Pantages Theatre
Open-ended run
4 paws
Follow the yellow _________.
Chances are you can fill in the blanks.
“The Wizard of Oz” has been around for over a century, yet the story continues to remain successful as each generation creates its own version of the Oz story: in 1900 it began as a novel, in 1939 it was the classic MGM movie, and in 1975 it was “The Wiz.”
“The Wizard of Oz” of our generation promises to be unlike that of its predecessors. With the current run of “Wicked” at the Pantages Theatre, this generation can lay claim to one of the best Oz stories yet.
“Wicked” has returned again to the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles for a run of undetermined length after previously playing here in summer 2005.
The current production has reached a wicked perfection, sure to entertain and entice all audiences.
The show can best be described as a musical spectacular with eccentric costuming, jazzy choreography, stunning lighting, and singers that put “American Idol” to shame.
“Wicked” is loosely based on the book “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West” by Gregory Maguire. It cleverly tells the story of what happens before the arrival of Dorothy, when the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda were forced to become school roommates and a friendship sprouted, changing their lives forever.
The play explores the theme of wickedness, pondering whether people “are born wicked, or is wickedness thrust upon them?” The musical answers emotionally, pulling on the heartstrings of the audience members as they find themselves feeling pity for the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba.
The performance of Eden Espinosa as Elphaba believably follows the life of a woman born green as grass who experiences further misfortune. Her stage chemistry with love interest Fiyero (Kristoffer Cusick), however, seems a bit weak.
Vocally, Espinosa seems to defy the laws of physics, most notably at the end of the first act as she sings “Defying Gravity” suspended high in the air, belting out high, sustained notes that leave the audience in awe as she travels the great musical range. Only a slight crack in one of her earlier songs proved her to be human.
Most notable is Espinosa’s duet “For Good” with Megan Hilty, who plays Glinda. When they reach this emotional crescendo, the audience is transfixed.
Hilty plays the role of Glinda with all the giddiness of a 4-year-old dancing in a tutu while eating ice cream. She transitions the mentality of her character easily, as the character of Glinda matures significantly in the musical.
Hilty has a strong and angelic voice. However, Glinda’s song, “Popular,” seems lacking as Hilty half-whispers many lyrics for an odd effect that took away from the song.
Nevertheless, she is a delight to watch in the role, prancing around on stage.
The choreographic style of the show (arranged by James Lynn Abbott) is mostly jazzy, with the creation of beautiful classic lines and the distortion of these lines.
In general, the ensemble of the show is composed of strong triple-threat performers who sing as well as they dance in larger-than-life, elaborately crafted costumes by Susan Hilferty.
While tickets are rather pricey, “Wicked” is a memorable experience well worth the money.
Once audience members have seen this show, they will definitely want to come back and see it again before “Wicked” leaves for good, making room for the next generation of Oz.