Published: June 20, 2008 08:51 am            

THEATER: 'Wicked' wows crowd

BUFFALO — Western New York has finally gotten “Wicked,” and locals seemed to enjoy every minute.

The long-anticipated run of the touring musical began its run Thursday night at Shea’s Performing Arts Center. A packed house on media night reveled in the behind-the-scenes telling of the origins of the witches of Oz.

The musical lets viewers get to know Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, long before Dorothy entered the picture. Flashing back to the pair’s college days, it’s explained how Elphaba — who wasn’t always wicked and may not be as evil as people think — came to gain that moniker.

Stephen Schwartz’s musical, based on the Gregory Maguire novel, adds a bit of a mainstream touch to the book — not that that’s a bad thing. Things have to wrap up quickly and completely, which they do with amusing results.

Much like in the “Star Wars” series, where the part that came first actually was the second half of the story, ‘Wicked” has to retroactively tie in everything that happens here with what took place in “The Wizard of Oz.” You’ll find yourself giving a knowing smirk more than once as it’s uncovered how Dorothy’s companions and the other players from the original came to be.

The show at times almost seems to be a parody of itself, as several characters break the fourth wall and some of the songs take on a quite satirical tone. None of it detracts from the show, however; in fact some of the humor that adds only makes the production better.

Carmen Cusack as Elphaba could not have done more to make the show better. Especially as the younger version of the witch, she does an outstanding job of conveying the character’s emotions and coping strategies for how people react to her skin tone. As for her voice, you don’t need to be a fan of musicals — trust me — to appreciate her talent, as her powerful vocals overtake every song she’s a part of and leave the audience in awe.

All in all, Cusack does more to advance the cause of being green than Kermit the Frog and that cute female M&M combined.

Katie Rose Clarke also does well in portraying Glinda, a privileged do-gooder who’s used to getting her way. The character’s dumb blonde routine — which is not the actress’ fault — gets tired at times, as a running joke about how she can’t correctly pronounce big words gets run into the ground after not being funny the first time.

That’s about the only complaint that could be derived from “Wicked,” though. Whether it’s taking heart in the lesson learned (don’t be quick to judge) or just enjoying some quality theater, “Wicked” has proven to be worth the wait.

Contact editor Paul Laneat 693-1000, ext. 116.



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Additional insight from the musical is available at the Life in the Slow Lane blog, pauljlane.wordpress.com



IF YOU GO

• WHAT: Performances of “Wicked”

• WHEN: Through July 13

• WHERE: Shea’s Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St., Buffalo

• MORE INFORMATION: Call 852-5000 or visit sheas.org

• GRADE: A-

        

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