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Home > Blogs > Arts and Entertainment > Archives > 2010 > February > 18 > Entry
“Wicked” finally casts spell at Schuster
“Wicked,” a little musical about sisterhood and doing good, has officially cast its spell at the the Schuster Performing Arts Center.
The Thursday night, Feb. 18, performance for the third of what will be many more virtually full houses in a long-awaited, satisfying local premiere through March 7, answered the questions that matter.
Is the uplifting and entertaining musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holtzman really that good? Is it still that good seven years after opening on Broadway?
Yes and yes.
Do you need to know the complex and quirky novel by Gregory Maguire to make sense of a story that explains what happened in Oz before (but also a bit after) Dorothy “melts” the Wicked Witch?
No.
Is it worth the ticket price?
Yes. In fact, if you have your ticket, be happy.
There are good and great songs in a two-act production that runs about 2:45, including intermission. A couple of them — “Defying Gravity,” which closes Act 1, and “No Good Deed,” more than midway through Act 2, are passionate expressions.
The other, the iconic and emblematic duet for the two leading ladies, “For Good,” is emotionally satisfying. The two witches who share it underplayed it a bit on opening night, which proved effective for a song that has made so many people cry.
As Elphaba, Broadway veteran Marcie Dodd was a powerhouse as the misunderstood green witch and animal activist we get to know and learn to love. She was the gutsy heart of this production.
Helene Yorke as Glinda gave us a pretty, stuck-up blonde who was truly changed for good, shifting to causes much bigger than her self-centered introduction. It was a nicely developed portrayal, but her opening solo, “No One Mourns the Wicked,” fell a bit flat.
Marilyn Caskey as headmistress Morrible, Kristine Reese as Elphaba’s non-green sister Nessarose, Don Amedolia as the purposely not very wonderful Wizard and Colin Donnell as the romantic male lead Fiyero were other individuals framed and supported by a versatile ensemble, scenic dazzle, evocative costuming and clear story sprinkled with humor (especially for Glinda).
The male characters tend to be two-dimensional and not all that positive in a show as dominated by women as “The Color Purple.” Even Fiyero ends up stuffed with straw, although two women love him and he wins one of them.
“Wicked” forges many connections with the 1939 classic “Wizard of Oz” film and neatly ties up several resulting loose ends. It both plays off and pays homage to the mother lode that inspired Maguire and the musical’s makers.
It has taken its green and blonde time getting here, which turns out not to matter at all.
Tickets for the the Victoria Theatre Association presentation are $46-$125 at (937) 228-3630, toll free at (888) 228-3630 or online at www.ticketcenterstage.com.
Permalink | Comments (9) | Post your comment | Categories: Theater
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By deb
February 19, 2010 10:27 AM | Link to this
I greatly enjoyed the opening night performance. But, how did Elphaba’s standin from Wednesday night compare with Marcie Dodd’s Thursday performance? And did the Schuster solve the fire alarm problem? Thanks!
By first timer
February 19, 2010 12:06 PM | Link to this
This was my first time seeing Wicked. I had front row seats at Thursday’s show. Marcie Dodd was outstanding. I don’t know how the understudy was but the first time Marcie came on stage last night the audience cheered before she even said a word. It was so good, I would pay front row prices to see it again!!! There were no fire alarm problems!
By Sister Sledge
February 19, 2010 2:40 PM | Link to this
At $46.00 it is way over most people’s reach. It’ll be done by next week. I may go if tickets sell for $9.95.
By DAY
February 19, 2010 5:00 PM | Link to this
I saw Wicked on Broadway a year and a half ago, and I can’t wait to see it again here in Dayton next Saturday. I’m also excited to hear that Marcie Dodd will be playing Elphaba. She was the Elphaba I saw on Broadway. Daytonians are in for a real treat!
By Boomer
February 21, 2010 8:06 AM | Link to this
From what I understand, the most expensive tickets are nearly sold out. We went Friday night and had Loge front row. Wow! I’m a regular-Joe-six-pack, not a “theeuhtuh” aficionado, and I really enjoyed it. The Galinda character just cracked me up. And the singing talents of the two lead ladies…again, “wow”. This show was a LOT better than that somber “Phantom”. It’s just great to leave all your cares/worries behind for 2 1/2 hours to enjoy something like this. Not to get preachy, but I’m sure God is pleased that these people are sharing their gifts to help folks feel better for a little bit.
By Eric
February 21, 2010 12:55 PM | Link to this
I attended the Saturday Matinee Show on 2/20 and the show was awsome. The Elphaba for the performance was Anne Brummel and she was phenominal! she fit the part so well that her voice was mindblowing that my mouth dropped every time she sang especially when she belted out Defying Gravity.Nessarose was great while Madame Morrible was just maniacle in a evil good way.The Casting was perfect and so was the touring Orchestra. No Trap Door That made me disappointed but that’s Theatre.
By seo lace
May 2, 2010 12:19 PM | Link to this
I can’t read www.dagtondailynews.com in Sfaari 4.1, Ijuist figured I might tell you about it!!
By BrianB
November 15, 2010 10:45 PM | Link to this
I thoroughly enjoyed the show. However, the performance I saw was in the last weekend for the Dayton run. They had three understudy’s for major parts. In spite of that Wicked was excellent. It was hard to keep from singing along with the cast since I have had the CD of Wicked for months. If Wicked ever comes back to Dayton I will definitely get tickets.
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May 29, 2011 11:16 AM | Link to this
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