Wicked: The Broadway Musical

By Kathryn Lynch

Are people born wicked? Or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?

This is the question explored in the Broadway musical Wicked: the Untold Story of the Witched of Oz, now showing at Melbourne's Regent Theatre.

As a child I watched The Wizard of Oz almost every time my grandmother babysat me while my mother went to work, every other time it was The Sound of Music.

So when I first heard there was a brand new musical that delved into the world of Oz, the witches, the munchkins I was naturally intrigued.

Long before that girl from Kansas arrived in Munchkinland, two girls met in the Land of Oz. 

One named Elphaba - born with emerald green skin - a smart and fiery gal, and totally misunderstood.

The other is the beautiful, ambitious and very popular Galinda. 

How these two grow to become the "Wicked Witch of the West" and "Glinda the Good Witch" makes for the most spellbinding new musical in years.

Music and lyrics by Steven Schwartz has transformed the original book by Gregory Maguire into a blockbuster musical treat for every age group. In fact, there has even been talk of an adaption to the silver screen.

I have ventured into the stalls for the Melbourne production of Wicked not just once. My latest outing wasn't the second time either - but, sadly, the third!

Now some people may call that "obsessive" and "clinically depressing" but I call it "looking at things in a different way". At least that's what my therapist tells me.

But, after all, isn't that the beauty of this production?

You can go multiple times and still feel the rush of excitement as the curtains rise, and the acrobatic monkeys come lurking down from above the stage as you sip on your green Oz-mopoliton.

Each time you find a new element that makes your heart beat fast and your eyes open wider! Whether it be the colourful intricate costumes or the ever changing set of Oz, you will notice something new and exciting with every viewing.

The key to Wicked's success comes from the story's ability to explore such real emotions and relationships despite being set in such a magical land filled with talking animals, munchkins, flying monkeys and a yellow brick road.

The friendship between the two witches is the classical tale of popular girly girl versus dorky nerd at high school. Their friendship strengthens and falters through mutual love interest Fiyero. 

It is no wonder the show was put onto the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) Theatre Studies playlist in 2008. There is so much to learn from the morals and emotions portrayed.

From bullying to friendship, to young love, to the difference between good and bad, right and wrong - it's essentially a $140 life lesson...

Viewing #3 was somewhat a little different for me, firstly I was sitting closer than before - close enough to see the intensity in the eyes of Elphaba and the tears in the eyes of the Wizard.

Secondly, performing the lead roles this particular night were the understudies for Amanda Harrison, Lucy Durack and Rob Mills.

Three talented young actors who undeniably powered through the musical like they were born for the roles.

Patice Tipoki who played a spellbinding Elphaba, soared into the air for her power ballad Defying Gravity with grace, power and intense wickedness.

Lucy Durack played Galinda for Act One, and then switched with her understudy, giving the audience the rare treat of two for the price of one. I found this quite a treat indeed, contrasting the two actors’ portrayals of the bubbly and ditzy, blonde. Both were glamorous and full of contagious joy and harmony.

Amanda Harrison's absence was due to her performing at Carnegie Hall for the Australia Plays Broadway concert, part of the G’day USA: Australia Week 2009 on January 20, taking the world by storm with her performance of The Wizard and I.

Other new aspects to the show include two new cast members, Bert Newton and Stuart Fisher.

Newton took over the role of the Wizard after the sad passing of musical theatre legend Rob Guest late last year. As much as I dearly loved Rob Guest in the role of the Wizard, it seems only fitting that his friend and Australian icon Bert Newton fills the role.

Bert Newton as the Wizard of Oz is wise, powerful and absolutely wonderful!

Stuart Fisher, who once represented Australia as a gymnast, has taken to the stage to replace Australian Idol star Anthony Callea in the role of Boq.

Boq is the love-sick munchkin heart sore for Galinda. And in my opinion Fisher has taken the role to a new level. When I watched Callea I felt like he wanted to burst into The Prayer at any moment to have his moment to shine.

But Fisher brings the character alive and creates a real empathy for the sadly rejected Boq.

Highlights of the musical come in mountains as every new scene has a magical set design that either glimmers with an emerald glow or transports the audience to the highest tower of the witch's castle.

The Oz-dust ballroom scene is a personal favourite with the choreography is glamorously contemporary, and the black and white costumes are perfectly exquisite.

This is closely followed by Fiyero and Elphaba's romantic serenade As Long As You're Mine in the cloudy mist of the lower dungeon as they kiss for the first time. It is an intensely romantically charged moment between the two characters that are an unlikely, yet perfect, match.

Young girls will fall in love with Fiyero, while the older generations will enjoy the connections to their childhood favourite The Wizard of Oz - enjoying finding out the reason behind the Tinman not having a heart, the Scarecrow not having a brain and why the cowardly lion is so frightened.

And please don't forget the merch… there is a stall at every corner you turn to filled with magical wands, jewellery, t-shirts and the astonishing Grimmerie book (filled with behind the scenes of Wicked from book to stage including coloured photos from the Broadway production).

There is just so much to love about this show, heightened perhaps by the soundtrack that has been playing in my car since two Christmas' ago!

So whether you are a newcomer to the Emerald City or a long time obsessive fan like myself, save your pennies and get along to see the wonderful world of Wicked!

You will be wickedly surprised!

Wicked! The Untold Story Of The Witches Of Oz
Director: Joe Mantello
Musical Staging: Wayne Cilento
Official Website: Wicked! The Broadway Musical