Wicked...

So as the more diligent reader (and here I'm humoring myself as I doubt I HAVE at least one diligent reader) will remember, I saw Wicked on Friday night. And I was so impressed, I actually BOUGHT the soundtrack. It's true. And it's on a permanent loop.

Let me start by telling you what Wicked is NOT. It is NOT The Wizard of Oz, although those aware with the work of L. Frank Baum and all the little munchkins will not be too alienated. While Baum's stories are somewhat more trivial, Disney-esque story of a simple farm-girl who goes on a fantastical voyage and learns that her heart's desires lie no further than her own back yard, complete with midgets and magic, Gregory Maguire's revisionist tome (my English teacher would be proud) is a much darker, serious piece.

Let me put it simply: so much happened before Dorothy dropped in.

Wicked tells the story of Elphaba, the "Wicked Witch of the West", and acts as a sort of precursor to Braum (although we are treated to some of the events of Dorothy's adventure, but rather than the story with which we are familiar, the bits Braum didn't write).

I won't ruin it, because I would urge anyone who hasn't to go and see it, and anyone who has is already contemplating going again, but I will say that it revolves around a brilliant, but different protagonist, who finds herself revolting against an aging tyrant's propaganda war and desperate attempts to cling to power. Along the way she will make friends for life, as well as find love, and sing some incredible musical numbers. Honestly, I am never going to see The Wizard of Oz the same again.

What particularly struck me about Wicked came from the Wizard himself early in Act Two. Some of the lyrics from his song Wonderful are included here:

WIZARD
(spoken) Elphaba, where I'm from, we believe all sorts of
things that aren't true. We call it - "history."

(sung) A man's called a traitor - or liberator
A rich man's a thief - or philanthropist
Is one a crusader - or ruthless invader?
It's all in which label
Is able to persist
There are precious few at ease
With moral ambiguities
So we act as though they don't exist

They call me "Wonderful"
So I am wonderful
In fact - it's so much who I am
It's part of my name
And with my help, you can be the same.

What amazes me is that in a two hour musical is willing to handle that kind of complexity, in fact begin to explore some very Machiavellian concepts, but in a form that audiences can easily understand, and, even more impressively, musically. And that's just touching the surface.

Individual performances: well done to Millsy as Fiyero (who has the somewhat ironic line "hey, this isn't an act. I really am that self-centered"), and the two stars Amanda Harrison as Elphaba and Lucy Durack as Galinda/Glinda. The cast felt alive and enthusiastic, and really got into their roles, although Durack's accent got exceedingly annoying (understandable, however, as her character IS a ditzy blonde...). Anthony Callea as the munchkin Boq, however, fell short (hahaha) of the mark.

It is of course a great tragedy that Rob Guest was missing as the Wizard. It is an immense loss, and I feel privileged to have seen Rob perform, in The Phantom Of The Opera, before he was taken from us.

Music: the songs were fantastic, the harmonies brilliant. I was notably impressed by the actors ability to slip in and out of dialogue and music, and make it seem so fluid and natural. Favorites for me are Wonderful (above) Popular and Defying Gravity. The comic banter in What Is This Feeling? had me in stitches, and Dancing Through Life is oddly poetic and beautiful.

Oh, and you can also get Ozmopolitans in cool green glasses with flashing lights.

All in all, I have to say SEE IT NOW!

Au Revoir.