The Bottom Line
Absolutely the best musical I've ever seen. Wicked is based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, and is the story of green-skinned, unpopular Elphaba and bubbly Glinda. How the two of them become friends makes for an absolutely spellbinding tale!
Pros
- Fabulous performances all around
- Amazing special effects for a musical
- Hilariously funny, yet moving as well
Cons
- Some parts may be a bit frightening for kids under seven
Description
- This story of happened before Dorothy dropped in puts a whole new perspective on the witches of Oz.
- Buy tickets well in advance -- they sell out fast, and nearly every performance is sold out.
- A couple of darker scenes and some loud scary noises might frighten younger children, so leave anyone under seven at home.
- The Broadway production has logged over a thousand shows, and the traveling version is one of the most popular shows around.
Guide Review - Wicked, the Musical
I've always wanted to see Wicked on Broadway, because I've always had a soft spot in my heart for the misunderstood movie bad guys. Wicked is the story of what happened in Oz long before Dorothy came flying in. How did the scarecrow become a scarecrow? Why is Glinda the Good so perennially perky? And what in the name of goodness makes those monkeys fly?
Wicked answers these questions and more, and does it with such flair and panache that the entire audience delivered a standing ovation at the end of the performance. The lead performers in the traveling company are stellar -- the show I caught had understudy Colleen Sexton as Elphaba and Christina DiCicco as Glinda. Devastatingly cute Cliffton Hall played the not-as-shallow-as-he-looks Fiyero. In addition to the phenomenal vocal performances, the sets are elaborate, the special effects are cleverly done, and the story itself is captivating. Secrets abound in Oz, and when all is revealed at the very end, I found myself wishing the show would go on longer. One of the best parts of the production? It's hilariously funny. It's partly due to the great lines, but more so to Sexton and DiCicco's delivery. I've been to a number of Broadway shows, and this one by far blew them all away... it was a bewitchingly well-spent three hours of my afternoon!