At this point in Indy, there are those who haven’t seen
Wicked and are dying to experience it, and those who can’t wait to see it
again. It has stood the test of time since its 2003 premiere more than 20 years
ago. With the release of the first half of the film version, there are whole
new legions of Wicked fans excited to see it live.
Two different women take on the role of Elphaba during the Indianapolis run of the show. The performance I attended featured Olivia Valli as the rebellious witch. Valli is an incredible singer, which should come as no surprise considering her past Broadway performances and her lineage (granddaughter of Frankie Valli). She demonstrates how painful it can be to go against the grain when you stand up for what is right instead of fitting in. She's vulnerable and broken in equal measures when she discovers unexpected love and then loses the dreams and family she held so dear.
The effervescent Zoe Jensen as Glinda is the perfect
counterweight to Elphaba’s serious, often uncomfortable nature. Her awakening
to the power of friendship and the importance of thinking critically is slower
than others, but it’s also the most dramatic. Jensen makes history as the first
Asian woman (Filipino-American) actor to tackle the role of the bubbly blonde
in the USA. She makes the role her own with a shrewdness that suggests she
understands how the game is played better than she lets on. She’s easy to love
when she lets her guard down with Elphaba.
It’s hard to ignore the political message engrained in the musical. It’s not a new one by any means, but it will always be important. It’s easy to control the public when they are comfortable not thinking for themselves and listening to rhetoric. Elphaba, Glinda, and the once cavalier Fiyero (Ethan Kirschbaum) all discover the truth of this throughout the story.
You’d be hard-pressed to find sets anywhere in Indianapolis
that are more beautiful and elaborate. From simple cornfields to the sparkling
Emerald City, no detail is neglected and it’s easy to forget that this is a
mobile production. The fantastical costumes provide an eyeful in every scene as
well.
This is the fourth time I’ve seen the show and I’ve loved it
more with each viewing. I can’t think of anyone I wouldn’t recommend it to.
It’s a powerful story of friendship and prejudice, but it balances those heavy
themes with a large dose of humor. It’s a musical that reminds us that evil
isn’t always the obvious target. Sometimes it’s the quiet voice suggesting the
easy way out and it takes a true hero to resist that temptation.
Seeing the show with kids?
There are big themes in Wicked, but the content remains
appropriate for ages 8 and up according to most Broadway resources. I took my
9-year-old daughter for the first time and she was comfortable throughout the
show. There’s a tame kissing scene and the monkeys’ costumes might be a little
frightening for anyone younger.
Don't Miss the Show
The show will be in town for two more weeks. Don’t miss your chance to
experience Wicked for yourself. Tickets are going fast for the popular show,
so don't miss your chance to see it. The show runs until Sunday, July 6th
at the Old National Centre. Tickets can be purchased at Clowes Memorial Hall,
the Murat Theatre, by calling (800)-982-2787 or online at
www.broadwayacrossamerica.com.
Photos Courtesy of Broadway Across America
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