Wicked- Packs A Wallop

With a heart-on-the sleeve pop score by Stephen Schwartz and a clever book by Winnie Holzman, we are transformed back to Oz where we meet the pre- witches of Oz, Galinda (the good) and Elphaba (the green one), attending college somewhere between Emerald City and Munchkin Land. The show also answers important questions such as how did the Tin Man and Scarecrow wind up like that and why was the Lion a coward?

Setting the stage of this Industrial Age of Oz, complete with Galinda's floating bubble and the heavy metal head of the Wizard are the distinctively different and delightfully costumed characters created by Susan Hilferty. While every production number is a fashion parade, these impressive looking characters have little to do on stage except attract attention. Wayne Cilento's choreography is uninteresting and unengaging at best, with not a single showstopping dance number in the production.

The strength of this production lies with it's power house ladies and their mismatched relationship that turns into a life changing experience for them both "For Good". Ga-linda, yes that's her birth name; is played by Kendra Kassenbaum who immediately captures the crowd with her ditsy, cutesy sorority princess personality. Kassenbaum delights us with her feisty, sharp comedic zingers and glittering soprano vocals. From her best prom queen number "Popular" to the touching duet with Elphaba "For Good" Kassenbaum is irresistible.

As Elphaba, the green one, Julia Murney transforms from a break-your-heart ugly duckling to an avenging compassionate angel. Murney captures every emotion and nuance of the character to near perfection . She delivers both rafter shaking solos "Defying Gravity" and "No Good Deed" and the soulful "I'm Not That Girl" much to the delight of everyone.

Producer, David Stone reveal the secret of this juggernaut of a success. "Wicked works on some many levels, and different people find different things in the show. The children may enjoy the characters and the story of how they became what they are. A 16 year-old might love the story of this green girl who becomes accepted and the popular girl who proves she is not perfect but becomes good. Young adults might get involved in the friendship between these two young women and the choice and sacrifices they make. Older adults might enjoy the visual and verbal jokes and flashbacks to the original filmed story as well as the satire of the campy yet serious side of how governments determine what is wicked or good."

The supporting cast that surrounds these two gals are collectively just as impressive. Madame Morrible (Alma Cuervo), the Cruella DeVille matron of the University, Fiyero (Sebastian Arcleus), the Conrad Birdie turned sensitive love interest.

The Wizard of Oz is (P.J. Benjamin), the deceptive leader of Emerald City and Nessarose, (Jennifer Waldman) Elpahba's wheel-chair bound sister, all offer equally powerful portrayals of their respective roles including top notch vocals and performances. Our wizards may be more twisted than the Twister that plopped him in Oz but he sure can sing and cut a rug.

Wicked offers a giddy, campy, serious then campy again theatrical spectacle with a surprising twist of an ending that will have audiences revisiting that yellow brick road, which we barely find, for a long time.

Directed by Joe Mantello

Photo credits: www.kimmelcenter.org, www.wickedthemusical.com broadwayworld.com

Wicked plays at the Academy of Music- Philadelphia, PA from March 22 - April 9^th.

For tickets and information:

www.kimmelcenter.org/broadway or call 215.731.3333

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