Seeing the musical Wicked as an early evening show on a Sunday night was a total joy, especially as it appeared to be a full house – and that included a sizable number of junior theatregoers.
This prequel to the famous Wizard of Oz gives us the back story of Glinda the Good Witch and green-skinned Elphaba, who went on to become the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz. And it soon proves that in their earlier years, like in life itself, things are rarely so black and white. Glinda was not always the confident squeaky-clean Good Witch and poor Elphaba had so much against her in those early days, yet still showed some admirable personal qualities, despite all the obstacles she endured.
When she was born with green skin (due to an extra marital affair), Elphaba’s father was horrified, and never showed his daughter any warmth, and when the second daughter, Nessa-Rose, came along with normal coloured skin, all his love was lavished on her.
The story of Wicked is told in flash backs, with Elphaba and Glinda at Shiz University, where the head of studies, Madame Morrible, instructs the two adversaries to share a room. Thrown together, a friendship is born out of enmity.
Wicked also looks at issues of discrimination, both for the Munchkins and for animals – Dr Dillamond is the only animal professor in the faculty, and once it is decreed that animals are not allowed to speak any more, he is removed from his class and loses the ability to speak, but only Elphaba cares. She then decides to seek out the great Wizard of Oz, who she believes will fix everything.
As we know from the future story, the Wizard is not the all-powerful being they believe he is, but a flawed human being with dark secrets of his own.
Wicked is a complex story, but it is told through its songs and dialogue, and weaves its magic over the audience. Both the delightful Courtney Monsma as Glinda, and Sheridan Adams as Elphaba are perfectly cast in their roles. The success of the show is largely on their shoulders, and they achieve that in spades. Adams in particular has a superb voice, with the ability to sing softly and tear at your heart, as well as belt out the showstopper Defying Gravity. I was in awe of this fine performer. Simon Burke brings great savoir faire to the Wizard, and, while an actor rather than a singer, Robyn Nevin’s stage charisma wows the audience as Madame Morrible. Adam Murphy gives a touching performance as Dr Dillamond, and Liam Head as romantic lead Fiyero. Shewit Belay as Nessarose, and Kurtis Papadinis as the lovelorn Munchkin Boq round out an excellent cast of principals.
Stephen Schwartz’s songs are catchy, while the sets and costumes are simply magnificent, with clever lighting changing the mood and transporting the audience.
What impressed me most was that, come the curtain call, the final bows are taken by the two stars, Courtney Monsma and Sheridan Adams, while their castmates applaud.
How many musicals have you seen where the most important stars are both female? A healthy development just after International Women’s Day in Melbourne!
Wicked may be a bit too scary for very young children, but older children and any adults will be swept up in the magic – and isn’t that what theatre is all about?
Photo credit: Jeff Busby
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Julie Houghton reviewed the musical “Wicked”, performed at the Regent Theatre at 6.30pm on Sunday, March 10, 2024.
