Review of Wicked
Thursday January 8, 2009
By Michael Maupin
It was an Ozmopolitan affair on opening night of Wicked (Buy Tickets) in Louisville as the Kentucky Center's Whitney Hall was transformed into a land we all know just over the rainbow. Wicked, the critical darling of Broadway, began its night with a full house and ended it with a standing ovation.
The touring company, bolstered by perfect performances by Katie Rose Clark (Glinda) and Donna Vivino (Elphaba), enchanted with help from beautifully intricate set and costume design. Clark, a mix between Nicole Kidman and Kristin Wiig (Saturday Night Live), provides the comic relief and acts as guide through the almost three hour production. Vivino, as the Wicked Witch, brings a certain complexity to her role and stops the show hoisted aloft the stage and draped in prismatic light while owning the musical's signature number "Defying Gravity."
Being a person who never really enjoyed The Wizard of Oz, nor knew much about the plot of Wicked, I was amazed at the robust storyline that incorporated many of the elements that fans of the Oz movie will appreciate. However, prior knowledge of how to navigate the yellow brick road isn't necessary. Wicked is a new story all its own. If given the chance, even flying monkeys shouldn't keep you from seeing this alternative take on what happens behind the scenes as a certain green girl makes her way to the Emerald City.
It was an Ozmopolitan affair on opening night of Wicked (Buy Tickets) in Louisville as the Kentucky Center's Whitney Hall was transformed into a land we all know just over the rainbow. Wicked, the critical darling of Broadway, began its night with a full house and ended it with a standing ovation.
The touring company, bolstered by perfect performances by Katie Rose Clark (Glinda) and Donna Vivino (Elphaba), enchanted with help from beautifully intricate set and costume design. Clark, a mix between Nicole Kidman and Kristin Wiig (Saturday Night Live), provides the comic relief and acts as guide through the almost three hour production. Vivino, as the Wicked Witch, brings a certain complexity to her role and stops the show hoisted aloft the stage and draped in prismatic light while owning the musical's signature number "Defying Gravity."
Being a person who never really enjoyed The Wizard of Oz, nor knew much about the plot of Wicked, I was amazed at the robust storyline that incorporated many of the elements that fans of the Oz movie will appreciate. However, prior knowledge of how to navigate the yellow brick road isn't necessary. Wicked is a new story all its own. If given the chance, even flying monkeys shouldn't keep you from seeing this alternative take on what happens behind the scenes as a certain green girl makes her way to the Emerald City.
Comments
THIS SHOW IS AMAZING!!! If anyone ever gets the chance to see it, they must take it! I’ve seen it 2 times on broadway and will be seeing it AGAIN in indianapolis! ahhhhh can’t wait!