Review: Wicked At The Broward Center For The Performing Arts

Chandra Lee Schwartz as Glinda and Jackie Burns as Elphaba in Wicked.

BY SYDNEY ALTMAN

According to Entertainment Weekly, Wicked is the “best musical of the decade”.  Since its Broadway premier on October 30, 2003, Wicked has become a sensation and has touched the hearts of thousands of viewers each year.  Fortunately, the magic that is Wicked could be experienced by South Floridians as the critically acclaimed tour headed to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

The musical is based on the 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire called Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. It illustrates the “untold story of the witches of Oz”, the story before Dorothy was blown onto the yellow brick road.  Elphaba, later known as the Wicked Witch of the West, wants to find her place in society and people to see her as more than the girl with emerald green skin.  She is a smart activist who wants to do good deeds for the underdogs of society.  Meanwhile, Galinda, later known as Glinda the Good, is a superficial, spoiled girl who simply wants to become a famous celebrity in Emerald City and marry the handsome prince, Fiyero.

Upon entering school, Elphaba and Galinda are thrust onto one another, forced to be roommates.  Though the two loath one another at first, simple acts of kindness break down the prejudiced barriers and the two form an unlikely friendship.  The best friends join together on a trip to the Emerald City where they meet the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.  They soon learn that he isn’t so wonderful after all, and that he and the government are actually corrupt.  Elphaba goes on a rampage to undo all of the wrong acts and save Oz.  For her acts of defiance, she is labeled “Wicked”, which poses the play’s central question, “Are people born Wicked, or do they have Wicked thrust upon them?”

As their stories develop, audiences view love, loss, friendship, and personal growth.  The story behind the story provides viewers a new perspective and an in depth look at how all of the beloved characters in The Wizard of Oz came to be.  Its underlying message of not judging a book by its cover transports the play from a whimsical and fun time at the theater to a thought-provoking and impactful experience.

Overall, the play was AMAZING.  Even after all of these years touring around the U.S, the production continues to enthrall audiences from the moment the play begins.  The play was expertly cast; it’s impossible to find one bad actor or singer in the bunch.  Each person was fully committed to their roles and sang with passion, maintaining the audience’s attention for a full two and a half hours.

Though the ensemble was great, of course the shining stars were the two main characters.  Clad in green paint from head to toe, Elphaba, played by Jackie Burns, was sensational.  Her portrayal of the misunderstood outcast was sincere and her line delivery was impeccable, causing the audience to laugh at quirky one-liners or cry at touching scenes.  Burns embodied Elphaba and moved the audience to root for the formerly recognized villain.  Burns’ acting was great, but her talent was elevated the moment she opened her mouth to sing the beautifully crafted songs.  Her voice rivaled that of Idina Menzel, the original Elphaba.  The power and intensity came through with every lyric as if Burns herself was going through the difficult trials that Elphaba was going through.  At her high notes, chills easily crawled up everyone’s backs.

In addition, Burns’ obvious talent was complemented perfectly by Chandra Lee Schwartz who played Glinda.  Schwartz looked regal while floating down in her flying bubble at the opening of the play.  Her stage presence and charisma were evident as she OWNED the stage.  Her comedic timing was just right, generating uncontrollable laughter at her over-the-top antics.  Her scene-stealing moment came during her rendition of “Popular”, in which she worshipped her wall of shoes and tossed her hair in a flirty manner.  Similar to Kristen Chenoweth, the original Glinda, Schwartz’s voice had a wide range, becoming ear-ringing at times to melodic and ethereal at others.  Though Schwartz clearly emulated Chenoweth’s portrayal of Glinda, she managed to make the role her own, and was fantastic.

Though the acting is obviously important to tell the story, the music is what takes this play to a whole other dimension.  The soundtrack is sensational.  As the actors sing and dance on the stage, audience members feel the emotion.  “Dancing Through Life” and “Popular” are fun and catchy, while “I’m Not That Girl” and “For Good” are emotion filled, literally bringing tears to many audience members’ eyes.  But, the best song, though cliché to think so, is “Defying Gravity”.  The song is placed right before intermission, allowing the magical moment to soak in completely.  Elphaba is literally suspended in the air, “defying gravity”, going against her superiors and following her own path.  The song marks the point of no return, where Elphaba’s “wicked” image can never be repaired.  The whole soundtrack is hypnotizing and addicting.

While the music and acting are the main focus, the little details are key to putting the finishing touches on the play.  The costumes were gorgeous and the sets were detailed. It’s no wonder why Wicked won the Tony award for Best Costume Design.  Viewers were definitely transported to Oz for “one short day”.

The intricate designs, the gifted acting, and the mesmerizing music combine to create the most enchanting experience a playgoer can experience.  Wicked will surely continue its success for many years to come.