Wicked at TPAC 

Return to Oz

by Martin Brady

September 03, 2009 Arts and Entertainment » Our Critics Picks

Return to Oz
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How does one get to be the Wicked Witch of the West? Gregory Maguire’s source novel offered an answer, imagining what transpired long before Dorothy Gale reached the merry old land of Oz. Serving up an intriguing revisionist take on the rivalry between Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch, and goody-two-shoes Glinda, Maguire found a surefire recipe to hook fans of L. Frank Baum’s enchanted kingdom (i.e., virtually everyone). The idea for the musical adaptation came from composer Stephen Schwartz, whose ’70s staples Pippin and Godspell are clearly the work of a writer rooted in commercial pop (and one who later escaped to the Disney factory). But within its hooky, Disneyesque limits, his score is surprisingly ambitious, marked by long-lined, conversational verses, multiple-crescendoed choruses, shimmery contemporary arrangements and a Broadway veneer that convinces. Everyone wants to return to Oz, and here the misunderstood Elphaba finds empowerment in soaring songs like “Defying Gravity.” (Imagine a young Margaret Hamilton singing, “And if I’m flying solo/At least I’m flying free.”) Marcie Dodd and Helene Yorke co-star in this national touring company production, which arrives amid deafening hype: TPAC has been promoting the heck out of the show’s three-week run, even enforcing strict guidelines on media privileges. The theater recently announced day-of-performance lottery tickets for a limited number of orchestra seats, available for cash only ($25) if you’re a lucky winner. Got any ruby heels you could hock?
Tuesdays-Saturdays. Starts: Sept. 2. Continues through Sept. 20, 2009

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I am happy I attended the play and probably expected too much. I think the sound system was not working well when I attended (Oct. 23rd) because it was difficult to understand what many of the actors were singing, especially during a all-member chorus. I was familiar with the storyline. I understand the play had to miniaturized from the in-depth details of the book. However, The first half of the play seemed to drag out whereas the second half moved like a rocket to the end. Like I said, I am happy I saw the play but have to admit I was more than a little disappointed.

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Posted by GM on October 24, 2011 at 3:23 PM

I had no expectations of this play and was very impressed. Like many others, I grew up with The Wizard of Oz, Ruby Slippers etc. I was rather surprised to see no ruby slippers during the play. They were silver. I felt that this missed the mark as they are such a huge part of the original story.

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Posted by Nash on October 31, 2011 at 12:46 PM
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