Oz witches dominate Playhouse Square in ‘Wicked’
By Art Thomas
Insights
Published Feb. 13, 2008

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A whole new generation of theatergoers will gain a love of musicals because of  “Wicked.” This rethinking of “The Wizard of Oz” has sent young people off singing the praises of theater. Indeed, it is a magical show.

“Wicked” has a pop/rock score by Stephen Schwartz. “Godspell” launched his professional career, “Children of Eden” cemented it, and Disney’s “Pocahontas” verified it.

Winnie Holzman’s book promises to be the “untold story of the witches of Oz,” but it is much more. Nothing in Oz is as it was in the movie we know and love. Good witch Glinda started out as a spoiled, naïve blond at wizard school with a class of munchkins. Bad witch Elphaba had the misfortune to be born green and at school notices something odd — gradually, animals have been pushed out of Oz and have lost their ability to speak. Trying to stop this, she seeks out the great and powerful Wizard of Oz for his help. In fact, he is even more of a fraud on stage than in the movie.

Katie Rose Clarke plays Glinda in“Wicked.” (Photo by Joan Marcus)

The touring production of “Wicked” at Playhouse Square Center is a non-stop assault on the eyes and ears. Glinda descends into downtown Oz in a bubble. When a citizen asks about the bad witch, she starts the story that transforms us into the past. Clock motifs are everywhere on the set, which is itself composed of giant gear arrangements. A clock face opens up to take us into the action in the past.

The opening night audience was willing to fully enter into the fantasy and went wild when Carmen Cusack made her first appearance as Elphaba. Bespeckled like a female Harry Potter, Cusack lets us know that good and evil may not be as clear as white and green.

A scene at a munchkin school dance, “Dancing Through Life,” gives real humanity to Cusack’s Elphaba and to Glinda, played by Katie Rose Clarke. The men in their lives are also not as they seem. There’s a handsome, vain princelike Fiyero, and a misguided munchkin named Boq who helps wheelchair-bound Nessarose, but for the wrong reasons.

The audience enjoyed Alma Cuervo as sorceress Madame Morrible, who chews up the steel scenery as she shrieks her way into the powerful position of “Oz Press Secretary.”

A stageful of ever moving scenery, constantly changing lighting, and a full orchestra pit to back the talented singers of the cast make this a fully realized production of “Wicked.”

Every family member from age 6 on up will enjoy “Wicked.” The story is simple enough for the youngest child to follow, while parents will giggle at the dozens of references to the Oz literature and popular culture.

"Wicked" runs through March 9.

On the Net:

• 'Wicked' at Playhouse Square Center
• 'Wicked' the Musical - official site