By Manning Harris
fmanningh@gmail.com
The lean, green flying machine called “Wicked” is back and is once again thrilling sold-out houses at the Fox Theatre through March 8.
This is my third time to see “Wicked” at the Fox, and it’s a tribute to the producers, stage manager (who’s like the director on the road), and performers that the show stays completely fresh and irresistible.
I’m sure you know that “Wicked” has become a phenomenon; based on Gregory Maguire’s retelling of the Wicked Witch of the West from “The Wizard of Oz,” the musical opened on Broadway in late 2003 and has consistently sold out ever since. It vies weekly with “The Lion King” for top grossing show in New York; “Wicked” has played all over the world and consistently breaks house records. It’s the most profitable theatrical commodity on the planet.
What could justify such success? Australia’s John Bailey of “The Age” writes: “Wicked has it all—the glitz and glamor and smiles, the anthemic tunes and mind-boggling sets. It also has a brain.” It has even more: Starting with an unlikely friendship between two young women, undercurrents of truth run through the show; the nature of good and evil and our unfortunate tendency to label people and ideas; seeing through sham; the power of enduring friendship. Beyond all this, “Wicked” is just enormous fun—for little girls in the audience dressed as Elphaba or Glinda (and they were there), and for thinking adults. It insults no one’s intelligence; it’s too witty and self-knowing for that.
We’re in Oz, you know, and so much happened before Dorothy dropped in, as the ads say. Glinda, pretty, spoiled, and popular (Carrie St. Louis), meets Elphaba (Alyssa Fox), a green-skinned brainy young woman with a social conscience, and they have an instant attack of “unadulterated loathing” for each other. However, forced to be college roommates, they become friends—then, to their credit, best friends. This is very important. The fact that people can change is a strong, recurring theme. And this happens even though both girls are smitten with the very handsome Fiyero (Ashley Parker Angel), who’s decided that “life’s more painless for the brainless” (“Dancing Through Life”). But he changes, too.
Now I must report a happening that was a first for me in all my many years of theatre-going. On opening night Ms. Fox played Elphaba for the first act, and her acting and singing were flawless, until the very last note (at that thrilling Act I ending!), when I heard a little hoarseness in her voice. Just a little; it didn’t spoil the moment. But after intermission an announcement was made that Emily Koch would play Elphaba for Act II. Ms. Koch is Elphaba’s standby, who must be ready to go on at a moment’s notice. She stepped effortlessly into the role and was brilliant, as was Ms. Fox.
I mention this to marvel that the depth of talent at this level, in the entire company, is so completely professional that all you can do is “rejoicify,”as Glinda would say. I’m sorry I can’t mention more of their names; they have my utmost admiration.
Stephen Schwartz wrote the music and lyrics; Winnie Holzman wrote the book; Joe Mantello directed. By the way, the orchestra is beautiful, as the MC says in “Cabaret.”
There is a day-of-performance ticket lottery at the box office two and a half hours before the show for $25 dollar orchestra seats—such a deal! If you already have tickets, you’re lucky. “Wicked” is thrilling.
For tickets and information, visit foxtheatre.org.
Important WICKED update: Due to the need to accommodate the patrons who were unable to attend Wednesday’s (Feb. 25) performance, the lottery has been cancelled for the remainder of the Atlanta run. There are still isolated seats, but they are scarce. Go to the the Broadway in Atlanta Facebook page or website for further information. Finally, going to the Fox Theatre box office can sometimes (but not always) yield results unavailable anywhere else.
Important WICKED update: Due to the need to accommodate the patrons who were unable to attend Wednesday’s (Feb. 25) performance, the lottery has been cancelled for the remainder of the Atlanta run. There are still isolated seats, but they are scarce. Go to the the Broadway in Atlanta Facebook page or website for further information. Finally, going to the Fox Theatre box office can sometimes (but not always) yield results unavailable anywhere else.
As WICKED leaves us tomorrow, Sunday, March 8, with two final sold-out (of course) performances, I must say a final Bravo and thank you to the brilliant cast, orchestra, and crew, all of whom have thrilled thousands of Atlantans and out-of-town guests for the past three weeks. We wish you could stay another month–but we wish you all the best as your continue your tour. Our loss is Miami’s gain. And–thank you for an unforgettable cabaret this past Monday (called Witches’ Night Off) at Georgia Tech to raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Heart Strings. So much talent–so much heart.
As WICKED leaves us tomorrow, Sunday, March 8, with two final sold-out (of course) performances, I must say a final Bravo and thank you to the brilliant cast, orchestra, and crew, all of whom have thrilled thousands of Atlantans and out-of-town guests for the past three weeks. We wish you could stay another month–but we wish you all the best as your continue your tour. Our loss is Miami’s gain. And–thank you for an unforgettable cabaret this past Monday (called Witches’ Night Off) at Georgia Tech to raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Heart Strings. So much talent–so much heart.