"Wicked" presents the back-story of the Wizard of Oz's Wicked Witch of the West and her friendship
and rivalry with Glinda the Good Witch. It's a fun and entertaining play that's certain to have a long Broadway run after its opening on October 30. The
audience was an unusual mix of families, older and younger audience members, and gays. All enthusiastically rose at curtain for a standing
ovation. But there is little originality in the production, few memorable songs and far too many one-liners. "Wicked" may amuse those who expect little from their theater experience but
it is unlikely to impress critics and more sophisticated theatergoers. For example, one of the evening's biggest laughs was "There's a
goat on the lamb," and another when the Wicked Witch returns to her home and comments "There's no place like home." Ha Ha.
Several scenes and songs are derivative of other Broadway performances, most notably
"Phantom of the Opera," "Les Miserables," "Beauty & the Beast" and "Chicago."
("Wonderful" is strikingly similar to "Mr.
Cellophane.") Actually, the director, Joe Mantello (who does a much better job with dramas), should have studied Disney's Broadway
productions more carefully and used some of Disney's techniques to liven up the scenery and choreography, both of which are uninspired. The
saviors of "Wicked" are the story and performances by Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda and especially Idina Menzel as Elphaba, the
Wicked Witch. (The derivation of Elphaba's name, by the way, is L. Frank Baum, author of the original "Wizard of Oz.") Although Menzel received a Tony nomination for "Rent," I was
not familiar with her before this performance. Menzel is one of the most scintillating, talented and compelling performers seen on Broadway in recent memory. The
material is limiting, but Menzel is captivating. Chenoweth has a far meatier role and she gives a thoroughly enjoyable and sweetly appealing performance with an appropriate
mix of tongue-in-cheek campiness and sincere self-absorption. Both Chenoweth and Menzel should be nominated for Tony Awards and Menzel
could have soundtrack hits with "I'm Not That Girl" and "Defying Gravity."
Joel Grey, whose presence has been heavily touted, is under utilized as the Wizard of Oz and has only
one meaningful number. Nonetheless, it's a pleasure to see him again on stage. In my pre-season preview (JMER 9/22/03) I forecast that "Wicked"
would be a "miss" even though its pre-opening hype has been outstanding. I stand by my forecast, although pre-sale and positive
word-of-mouth (especially among tourists and parents) will keep the show going for at least three to five
years. But it won't be the huge hit many are predicting.
Jack Myers Entertainment Report's entertainment rating system is based on a
maximum of five jacks and a minimum of zero jacks. 0 = awful; 1 = pretty bad; 2 = okay but don't go out of your way to see it; 3 = reasonably good but not special; 4 = very
good and worth paying attention to; 5 = exceptional. Opinions are based on my own likes, dislikes and preferences.
