Upon taking your seat in the Regent Theatre it is hard not to be overwhelmed by the size of the setting and huge dragon towering above the stage. Wicked is a theme park ride of a mega-musical that weaves us through an exhilarating and heart rending journey.
Wicked offers a new and ingenious back-story to the Wizard of Oz, answering questions and mysteries affecting the original narrative. But don’t scrutinize the parallelism of both stories too closely or flaws may start to show. Just sit back and delight in this girl’s own adventure about the relationship between the witches in the tale.
Right from the spectacular opening number, our complacency is rocked. What we know as the fight between Good and Wicked is too naïve. The explication of things not proving as they seem reoccurs throughout this fairy tale. But the writers don’t let this serious allegory get in the way of a timeless story of friendship tested by jealousy and insecurities.
Two young girls from very different backgrounds collide at the exclusive Shiz University over the benefits of privilege, and the lure of popularity over principles.
Amanda Harrison is exquisite as the spirited and quick-tempered Elphaba. Soaring vocally, whether as a cry for acceptance or defiantly rejecting the way of the Wizard, Harrison excels in this role. She layers her performance with genuine warmth (shared with Dillamond) and a passionate intensity with Fiyero. Lucy Durack is a perky and self-absorbed Galinda, who is a feisty adversary cum best friend for Elphaba. Durack sparkles in Popular, insensitively eager to convert her roommate to the realms of the cool and accepted. Her flawless comic contributions relieve many tense scenes with impeccable timing.
The Ensemble are energetic and impressive in their supporting roles. Rob Guest charms as the showy Wizard of Oz, whose parental good nature hides his true motives. Maggie Kirkpatrick relishes her role as the quietly powerful Madame Morrible. Her dismissive manner thinly disguises her ambition and Kirkpatrick uses true venom to attack those in her path. Rob Mills is cheeky as the flunk out student Fiyero, who later reveals himself to be a responsible and righteous young man. Penny McNamee convinces as the tragically beautiful Nessarose, spoilt and needy witch. Anthony Callea is gentle and winsome as the Munchkin Boq, who finally takes a stand after being walked over by his fellow students. And Rodney Dobson gives a spirited and earnest performance as the victimised teacher Doctor Dillamond.
Wicked is a celebration of the creativity of composer Stephen Schwartz, librettist Winnie Holzman and novelist Gregory Maguire.
Wicked is at times like a tornado, it whips you into a fast paced, surreal experience with tenacious music driving the danger and unpredictability. The closing of the first Act soars to dizzying heights, not only musically but also with an exhilarating sense of fear and anticipation.
Schwartz’s score also thrills when Elphaba is distraught about trying to save her love in No Good Deed.He skillfully captures the euphoria of his characters in the passionate As Long As You’re Mine and The Wizard and I.
Winnie Holzman has written a very witty and imaginative book, no more fanciful than the original novel by L. Frank Baum. She draws characters that develop through the relationships and are influenced by their amazing journey.
The striking costumes by Susan Hilferty add much to create the fantastical imagery of the Oz. These dazzling designs are influenced by the illustrations of Dr Seuss and original "pictures" from The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz by W. W. Denslow.
Within the remarkable settings, Eugene Lee has succeeded in creating fresh images that yet have a familarity with Oz.
The enchanting lighting design by Kenneth Posner bathes the stage with a magical glow and intensifies the actors fervent emotions. It is refreshing to hear sound designed and executed so well that vocals are clear and lyrics decipherable. Kellie Dickerson's excellent orchestra supports the actors, never overpowering them
Musicals don’t get any more exhilarating or extraordinary than Wicked.
WICKED The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz
Venue: The Regent Theatre | 191 Collins Street, Melbourne Dates: From 27 June 2008 Times: Wed – Sat @ 8pm, Sun @ 6.30pm Matinees: Wed @ 1pm, Sat @ 2pm & Sun @ 1pm Bookings:Ticketek
I agree with the review on Wicked but the theatre was an extreme let down. Did you hear the cut offs in sound, did the persons head in front of you cut off more than half the stage! Did here. To pay 125ish dollars for an A reserve seat, i was very very let down.
I enjoyed the stage show immensley and we sat in b reserve. i was a little worried about sitting at the back of the theatre, back it took nothing away from the performance. My friend had the problem of not being able to see over the person in front and asked to move, which the threatre people graciously did. Well put together, with great twists.
Jacqui (comment 1), if the cut offs in sound you refer to happened during "What is This Feeling" I noticed it too but I think it was by design - ie: directed into the show to build strength into the song. That was probably the only part of the show I found less than impressive. The rest was excellent. Especially the efforts of Amanda Harrison.
I absolutely loves every bit of the production! I have been a fan of Wicked for over 5 years and our Australian cast is by far the best ever! Amanda's vocals are brilliant and the chorus dynamics are better than even the original recordings. Definatly go and see people! You will love it!
What a sycophantic love letter! I've seen "Wicked" in Melbourne twice now and while it is a great night out, as a long-standing fan of the show I can only say I was bitterly disappointed on both occassions. Amanda Harrison performs the whole show as if she's in-concert, with barely a reaction to her co-stars and most lines delivered out to the audience. She does not have the vocal range to do justice to the score and throws the dramatic power of "Defying Gravity" by grinning foolishly throughout. Both Guest and Kirkpatrick are decent but forgettable and the Australian Idol stars along with them. The one shining star in the whole thing and the only reason I went back to see it again was Lucy Durack as Galinda. She dazzles! Her comic timing is impeccable and her performance delightful and intelligent. Just why everyone is raving about Harrison is beyond me. Anyone who has ever heard Idina Menzel or Stephanie J. Block belt out "Defying Gravity" or "No Good Deed" should be able to recognise that immediately! She will be replaced soon hopefully with someone with a more powerful upper register.
I totally disagree David, while I think Lucy is good, Amanda's 'No Good Deed' and 'Defying Gravity' gave me goosebumps...I have never heard anyone sing NGD with so much emotion and so powerfully. Amanda is the standout in my opinion and is why I keep returning to the regent to see it again and again.
I finally saw Wicked last night in Melbourne - and loved it. I agree with most of the points made here - including the emotion that Amanda Harrison packs into her performance without feeling the need to belt out every line - and I loved Lucy Durack as Galinda. However let's be honest - her performance is a moment-by-moment impersonation of Kristin Chenoweth in the role. Which is fine, because the role was written for Kristin, and she crafted it to perfection. So having not seen her play the role live, I did feel as though I was seeing the next best thing in Lucy Durack's performance. But I think to dismiss Amanda Harrison's performance in light of Lucy's dazzling and intelligent' interpretation of Galinda is unfair. I would call it "a delightful pastiche", admittedly carried out to perfection.
I flew my 7 year old and myself over to see wicked last week... and it did not disappoint!!! Amanda Harrison is AMAZING.. I have heard the versions done by Idina Menzel and i TOTALLY disagree that she is better vocally, Amanda's performance bought both myself and my son to tears.. I am frantically saving to go again. The theater was beautiful, we were 4 rows from front and had no issues with seeing- my son was offered a cushion to give him that bit better view. I ADORED EVERY PART OF IT..
The ONLY Dissapointment was that the cd available for purchase (which i did) is the English show and not our own wonderful actors! Would love an Australian Cast Cd to be released as I agree with comment 5. Cathryn The Australian show is the best!
Go see it take your mums, your dads, your kids, you wont be dissapointed
