Of course, I know the music -- expertly crafted by Stephen Schwartz -- and could have sung along with just about any of the tunes. And, I've read the book (along with others in Gregory Maguire's collection) so, while not a raging fan, I'm impressed with the creativity and "magic" that this musical exudes. Schwartz has crafted a clever and often hilarious world of bizarre, whimsical and occasionally deep characters in the Land of Oz. What a treat to hear expertly rendered versions of "One Short Day" and "For Good".
Theatre is so much the experience...great music, great voices, great acting help, but they can't displace the importance of drawing the audience in with a story, a world, a spectacle that becomes their own. We all have the frame of reference of Dorothy and the "Wizard of Oz"...that story needn't be retold. In "Wicked", the audience is assumed to know the history (actually, the future) on which the plot is based, and that in and of itself unifies the audience and creates a sense of community. Who knew that the "Wicked Witch of the West" had such a challenging childhood, so much potential for doing good, so hard a time fitting in?
"Wicked" debuted at the San Francisco Curran Theatre in 2003 in a pre-Broadway trial run. While panned by critics, it has understandably become a phenomenon since. Kristin Chenoweth (one of my favorites) and Idina Menzel starred as Glinda and Elpaba. In the version I saw, Glinda was performed by a sensational Natalie Daradich -- a Canadian from Toronto -- who was stand-in for Kendra Kassebaum on the night I attended. She had the voice, poise and comedic wit to really pull of the role. Elphaba was performed by Teal Wicks, a talented young lady with a voice that nailed every number, and acting skills to boot.
You might remember Patty Duke -- star of "The Patty Duke Show" and "Valley of the Dolls". It was my good fortune to see her in the role of Madame Morrible. Despite a few awkward memory slips and obvious challenges at her age with a role of this physicality, she was endearing nonetheless and received one of the night's biggest ovations.
Well, I can now stop fantasizing about seeing my latest favorite musical. I'll now need to find another to occupy me, but like anticipating a good meal, I was fully satisfied and rapt with pleasure at having seen "Wicked" in one of my favorite cities - San Francisco.
