National Tour Review: WICKED Holds Broward Center Spellbound

Wow! It was not easy for me to exit the orchestra level of the Broward Center tonight. Was I spellbound? Or was I having difficulty walking because WICKED had simply knocked my socks off?

To say that WICKED is enchanting, is not enough. For through its exuberance, its heart and mind, its exhilaration and its spectacle, WICKED truly enchants. This is a show for the ages.

I'd like to remind Stephen Schwartz that the great Jule Styne (Gypsy, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Funny Girl) remarked upon accepting his Tony as best composer for Hallelujah Baby, that "you never seem to win these things for the right thing." This composer of Pippin, Godspell, The Magic Show, Working, Rags and now WICKED still has no Tony award. Yes, the man who wrote Day By Day, Magic To Do, Corner of the Sky and Lion Tamer (I just love that song from The Magic Show) has awards coming at him from everywhere. He even has three Oscars for his work, two for Disney's Pocahontas and one for The Prince of Egypt.

Yet, still no Tony award. I don't worry and I'm quite sure Mr. Schwartz doesn't either. For he knows his time will come. Indeed, perhaps he knows his time has come and needs to come again for him to reap the aforementioned Tony. Stephen Schwartz has provided WICKED with an excellent score. No, its better than excellent. The score is wonderful. It is moving, it is bouncy, it is catchy, it is driving, its intense, its infectious and it drives all of the wonder that is the musical WICKED.

I have not yet read Gregory Maguire's book. In adapting the work to the stage, Winnie Holzman displays the hand of a master and she writes from a source of beauty. Her book for WICKED is slyly slim on obvious witticisms and lovingly languishes on thoughts ranging from how it feels to be an outcast, to a reckoning with the way the world has shamelessly treated animals for ages. WICKED is ultimately the story of the two women. The two witches. One we know who is destined to be Glinda, the good witch, flying in her bubble. The other, we suspect will be the green and ugly, wicked witch of the west. WICKED is their story. How they met, how their lives affect each other, how they ultimately know they have changed each other for the good and lastly, how they will face life without each other. WICKED's book is a gorgeous one. It is eloquently written and never takes the easy route. The words flow seamlessly, from Ms. Holzman's fingers, embracing Mr. Schwartz's delectably rich score and all else that WICKED is.

Eugene Lee's settings for WICKED are impossibly magnificent. Seemingly inspired somewhat by mechanics and clockworks, Mr. Lee's sets are stunning, often surprising and absolutely breathtaking. His was a richly deserved Tony award. His work on WICKED is some of the finest our theater has ever known. Playing against the background of Mr. Lee's sets are the flamboyantly awesome creations of Tony winner Susan Hilferty. Creating the costumes for WICKED was the career opportunity of a lifetime. Ms. Hilferty knew it and she was up to the task. The costumes in WICKED achieve the greatness that pervades this show from top to bottom.

Director Joe Mantello does not simply let all the fine components in WICKED shine through. He spotlights them, swirls them, propels them and breathes them to bursting life. Perfection and poetry is drawn from Kenneth Posner's lighting. Thrill ride moments and glorious effects are achieved from Chic Silber, working with ZFX for the flying sequences. The projections by Elaine J. McCarthy and the sound by Tony Meola is the work of artists at the top of their game. Mr. Mantello has inspired the choreographer/dancer, Wayne Cilento to create musical staging that is likely Mr. Cilento's greatest achievement since he was part of the original cast of A CHORUS LINE.

Mr. Mantello is solidly in the ranks of the legends when it comes to directing for the theater. The sensation that is the act one finale, Defying Gravity, joins few others in musical theater goose bump elation. Dolly Levi descending the staircase, Madam Rose proclaiming, "Here she is boys, here she is world," there are a few others. The Defying Gravity scene is one of them. Mr. Mantello has brought forth in WICKED, scenes that will never be forgotten.

The ensemble for the national tour of WICKED is an embarrassment of riches. There is no one employed in this production who is anything below the top of their game. Jenna Leigh Green is a lovely Nessarose. With the last name of Green, it would seem Ms. Jenna Leigh Green, likely will play Elphaba at some time in the future, because her voice is certainly rich and strong enough for the part. Logan Lipton was a luscious gumdrop as Boq. His performance was fetching and he is absolutely adorable. One wishes he were available for "take out" after the show. Battling Mr. Lipton for key stud cutlet of WICKED is Sebastian Arcelus as Fiyero. With romance novel cover looks, dashing eyes, seductive singing and seething sexiness, Mr. Arcelus was a favorite of tonight's audience.

David Garrison is a fine, welcome and comfortable presence as the wizard.

Much greater impact is made by the theatrical royalty that is Carole Shelley. As Madam Morrible, Carole Shelley is inventive, intuitive, wise and altogether smashing. Hers is a grand performance. It is a good thing too, that she is grand. For were she not, her work could be lost among the practically supernatural performances designed for and delivered by the show's leading witches.

Kendra Kassebaum is a dream come true for a lover of musical theater. To watch her perform is to be like a kid in a candy store with a limitless charge card. The bubbles float around her, they also seem to float from her. Her singing voice is splendid and deliriously embracing, her acting deeply felt and solidly sincere. She is funny, she is flippant, she is foolish, she is fabulous.

Stephanie J. Block delivers an American Idol winning performance as Elphaba in WICKED. She is thrilling to behold. Actually, it is much more than an American Idol winning performance. Her soaring, acrobatic, roof rattling singing are matched by the lovely gentleness of her softer crooning moments. Her feat is never, ever having a false moment. You are riveted to her every second she is on the stage. She commands the show as she slowly and shrewdly has the audience fall in love with her. Ms. Block is fantastic.

I was fearful that WICKED might be a disappointment. Oh me of little faith. WICKED is a triumphant, towering achievement. Long may the witches and monkeys fly. Long may WICKED entrance theater lovers of all ages.

WICKED cutely reminds us that there is "no place like home." Get yourself to a theater where WICKED is playing. For the magical ride that is WICKED, is a grand reason to leave your own "no place like home."

WICKED's last performance at the Broward Center is February 19.

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