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Tucson, Arizona | Published: 08.27.2006
TEMPE — It isn't easy being green.
Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, knows this all too well.
Her father rejects her. Her classmates turn their backs on her. And her sister is just plain evil to her.
But we wouldn't have it any other way — it's Elphaba's struggles that are central to the musical "Wicked," which opened Thursday at Gammage Auditorium.
Based — loosely — on the Gregory Maguire novel of the same title, "Wicked" is the prequel, if you will, to "The Wizard of Oz."
It tells the story of how Glinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West were enemies, then friends, then enemies, then friends. And how the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow came about. And the story of those flying monkeys. And of the not-too-innocent intent of the Wizard.
"Wicked" has had a long run on Broadway, and it's racking up ticket sales on the road — the Tempe run is sold out, though there are still ways to get tickets.
That's understandable. Sure, it's over-produced, over-blown, over-earnest.
But it's got all those cool things that make you ooh and aah, such as lots and lots of soaring songs, mysterious fog, flying witches — oh, the list goes on.
"Wicked" the book successfully flushed out the darker side of Oz and was unpredictable and complex.
"Wicked" the musical hints at the darkness, but Winnie Holzman's book, Stephen Schwartz's lyrics and Joe Mantello's direction turn it into a didactic and more predictable story. We get it: Embrace the differences in all of us. Be wary of governments that rule by fear. Friendships are important.
OK, OK, it's got its problems.
But, frankly, we don't care. We liked it anyway.
Maybe it's sitting in a packed auditorium with an audience of kids and adults who clap their hands with gleeful anticipation when the house lights go down.
Or perhaps it's watching Glinda (Kendra Kassebaum) fly in to cheers as she declares, "It's good to see me, isn't it?"
Or maybe it's all the inside jokes that reference author L. Frank Baum's "The Wizard of Oz," or the clever destruction of the English language, such as calling an ugly hat "hideodious."
Plus, we know the songs can be overwrought, but there are such tender lyrics, like in "I'm Not That Girl": "Hands touch, eyes meet / Sudden silence, sudden heat / Hearts leap in a giddy whirl / He could be that boy / But I'm not that girl." Ohhh, high-school heartbreak, anyone?
This Broadway road show stars Julia Murney as the green gal, Elphaba. Her voice will snatch your breath. Kassebaum, too, has a rich voice and a fine comedic timing. Her role of Glinda is probably the most fun and interesting in the production, and she worked it and the audience.
Sure, this spectacle has a few shortcomings. But perfection can be so boring.
Besides, it's got a green heroine. While that ain't easy, it sure is fun.
● Contact reporter Kathleen Allen at kallen@azstarnet.com or 573-5128.
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