Wicked is one of the longest-running Broadway shows and has certainly been having its moment recently with the release of Jon M. Chu’s film adaptation starring Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba.
Over winter break, I had the pleasure of attending the Broadway production with our very own Editor-in-Chief, AJ! To say we had an amazing time is an understatement (thank you for inviting me, Tara!).
The play follows Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the East in The Wizard of Oz starting with her time in college, before she becomes the Wicked Witch. The second half of the play aligns with the events occurring in the original Wizard of Oz film.
The play focuses on the relationship that forms and subsequently dissipates between Elphaba and Glinda.
The current show stars Mary Kate Morrissey as Elphaba and Alexandra Socha as Glinda, and boy is that a dynamic duo! Along with the rest of the cast, the show fully immerses audiences into the wonderful world of Oz.
The music is obviously one of the most prominent and important aspects of the play. I found myself getting chills during the finale of Act I where Morrissey sang Defying Gravity. Her high notes were incredible and her tone encapsulated the mixture of pain, grief, and releif that her character was feeling.
No Good Deed was my favorite song from the musical, the rhythm created a great soundtrack to encapsulate the lyrics that helped to move along the plot and reveal Elphaba’s emotions.
I loved the subtle details in the set that fully encapsulate viewers. The time dragon being above the stage allowed even viewers in the back of the theater to be fully immersed in the set.
The set also had dimly lit side pillars, yet they still utilized this portion of the set by having monkeys climb from and fly off these pillars. When the monkeys took flight off these pillars, they flew over the audience, even further using the theater space and providing visuals for members of the audience further back in the theater.
The play’s script utilizes many humorous moments to lighten the mood from the heavy, but relatable, themes. Giving the audience moments to laugh, and allowing tension to dissipate for a moment, creates an atmosphere where the audience is not easily bored.
The costume design was also incredible. The Chu adaptation of the play featured Glinda in primarily pink outfits, so seeing Socha wear different shades of pink, yellow, and blue created a great visual contrast.
Elphaba stayed more true to her color pallet, yet still had some very detailed outfits that brought her character’s personality to life.
The play successfully depicts two strong, headstrong women who show great respect to one another despite their differences. They recognize that one cannot thrive in the same space, but do not let that deter them from their ultimate decisions.
Despite their differences, Glinda and Elphaba continue to love and admire one another, even when their actions become more hurtful. Forgiveness is at the core of each character which is depicted well at the end of Act II.
While I found the play as a whole endearing and enjoyable, I think the conclusion is a bit of a cop-out. After so much conflict throughout, I was hoping for a conclusion that was not a remix of a “happily ever after.”
Yet, this is how the play ended. I would have loved to see more tension, leaving audiences with a deeper emotional impact than just the love between the two girls. There were great moments that would have built to a great conclusion where audiences still felt that love and respect, but also a sense of grief and tension.
Overall, if you are ever able to, I highly recommend seeing the play. If not for the thematic elements, then simply for its stunning visuals and comedic relief.
