Broadway Review: Wicked - "Surprisingly different on Broadway"

Christine Dwyer as Elphaba

Wicked
Gershwin Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 8th April 2014

Jenni Barber / Photo Credit: Joan Marcus

During my week on Broadway I spent most of my time discovering new shows; however, my stay wouldn't have been complete without a trip to see Wicked. Based on Gregory Maguire’s novel of the same name, Wicked tells the cleverly put together untold story of the witches of Oz. 

Despite being set in a different world, the secret to the show’s success is that it reaches out and touches so many people in so many different ways. At the core of the musical is a story of friendship, something so simple yet something we rarely see at the centre of a show.

You will never be able to think about The Wizard of Oz in the same way after watching Wicked. I will never forget seeing the show for the first time and becoming completely lost in the incredibly enchanting storyline. 

The first act, which focuses on establishing the story, is set before the Wizard of Oz takes place when Elphaba (aka The Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda (the Good) are at University together. The second act takes place during The Wizard of Oz and reveals what was happening behind the scenes… but all is not as it seems. “Are people born Wicked or do they have Wickedness thrust upon them?”

Stephen Schwartz's score is heavenly, but most importantly exciting and unpredictable - big numbers are suddenly stripped back and gentle melodies grow. The music is vital to the piece and always drives it forward, opening up and exposing the characters. The detail of the set and costume design is extraordinary.

Wicked is surprisingly different on Broadway, the design is bigger and feels more grand. There are lots of subtle changes, but of course the biggest difference between the UK and American productions is the accents! After seeing Wicked performed so many times with British accents, at first it was very strange trying to adjust to the American accents - but I loved it!

The Broadway cast of Wicked performing 'What Is This Feeling?'

Just a few of the differences include monkeys flying over the audience in the second act and an extra Wizard of Oz hot air balloon reference during 'One Short Day'. When entering for Defying Gravity, on Broadway Elphaba and Glinda run up on stage through an underground entrance at the front of the stage. Elphaba then barricades the door with the broom in time with Glinda's "I hope you're happy...". Later in the song the broom rises up on stage, instead of flying in from the wings, which makes the moment so  much more magical. Of course these changes would go completely unnoticed by anybody seeing the show for the first (or even second) time.

Wicked has a different vibe both on and off stage on Broadway. The Wizard of Oz references were greeted by the audience with a more excitable response. Someone behind me whispered "that's so clever!" after the "So happy I could melt" line in 'The Wizard and I' and the "lemons and melons and pears, oh my!" line (referencing the "lions and tigers and bears, oh my!" line from The Wizard of Oz) received applause. 

Anne Brummel as Elphaba

The dynamic between Elphaba and Glinda was also very different. At the performance I saw standby Anne Brummel played Elphaba (in place of current lead Christine Dwyer) opposite Jenni Barber as Glinda. When I've seen Wicked in the UK Elphaba usually takes centre stage very early on in act one, but interestingly it wasn't until just before Defying Gravity that Elphaba really stepped forward and won the audience over.

Barber plays the funniest Glinda I have ever seen, she completely dominates the first act, stealing the show with her ridiculously over the top portrayal. I've seen Glindas perform with more vocal power, but have never seen anything comparable to Barber's stage presence. Her 'Popular' was the highlight of the show. She matured in the second act, without losing her charm.

It took me a while to warm to Brummel's Elphaba, but she had some really nice moments during the lion cub scene opposite Justin Guarini (who some may remember as the runner-up on the first ever season of American Idol) as Fiyero. Everything fell into place for Brummel when she began to pour her heart out during 'Defying Gravity'. In the second act her fierce yet vulnerable portrayal was very moving with 'No Good Deed' providing a particular highlight. Brummel's vocal range is insane, she hits the big notes so effortlessly; I have never heard so many vocal gymnastics during a performance of Wicked.

Barber's Glinda really took control over Brummel's Elphaba. The most touching moment of the entire show came during the bedroom scene during which Elphaba tells Glinda she is responsible for her mother's death. Instead of Glinda telling Elphaba that it wasn't her fault in a sympathetic way, Barber said the line in a commanding fashion, as if she was giving Elphaba the strength to be who she wants to be without letting anything hold her back. This made Defying Gravity so much more emotional as Glinda had to step back and allow Elphaba to fight for what she believes in.

It was amazing to see one of my favourite shows in a completely new light. The Broadway production of Wicked is certainly standing strong in its eleventh year and looks set to delight audiences for years to come.

Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)

Please visit www.wickedthemusical.com for further information and tickets.

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