advertisement

'Wicked' feels politically prescient in strongly cast Chicago return

“Wicked” - ★ ★ ★ ★

It's surprising how a show you think you know can take on new meaning depending on the times. That's certainly true of “Wicked,” the 2003 Broadway musical blockbuster riffing on “The Wizard of Oz” that has triumphantly toured back to the Oriental Theatre for its fourth Chicago stay.

And, boy, can its political prescience make you squirm.

At its emotional heart, “Wicked” is about the unlikely friendship that develops between two student witches at Shiz University: the ostracized green-skinned Elphaba (Mary Kate Morrissey, a powerful belter teeming with headstrong teenage indignation) and pretty, popular Glinda (a sparkly Ginna Claire Mason, with a soaring soprano voice and comic surface girlishness).

After Dorothy's Kansas house lands in Munchkinland, Glinda (Ginna Claire Mason), left, spars with Elphaba (Mary Kate Morrissey) in "Wicked." The 2003 Broadway blockbuster runs through Sunday, Jan. 21, at Chicago's Oriental Theatre. Courtesy of Joan Marcus

Elphaba and Glinda's romantic rivalry over the bad-boy hunk Fiyero (a strapping, square-jawed Jon Robert Hall) has pushed many to dismiss “Wicked” as prettified and polished bubble gum for generations of teenage girls. Stephen Schwartz's power ballad-filled pop score and the heavy doses of schoolgirl angst in Winnie Holtzman's script have only enhanced this notion.

But this time around, the serious streaks within “Wicked” (drawn from Gregory Maguire's 1995 source novel) naturally and more prominently emerge, even though the show's metaphorical criticisms of fascism and bigotry have been there from the start.

“Wicked” uncomfortably pushes buttons due to the twisted truths spouted by The Wizard (Tony Award-nominee Tom McGowan as a deceptively cuddly nice guy). He's a charlatan magician who grasps power, telling the citizens of Oz “the lies they wanted to hear.”

Elphaba (Mary Kate Morrissey) contemplates the entreaties of The Wizard (Tom McGowan) to come over to his side in "Wicked," now playing Chicago's Oriental Theatre. Courtesy of Joan Marcus

The Wizard scapegoats and silences Oz's minority Animal intelligentsia (like the professorial goat Doctor Dillamond played by Harry Bouvy). And when Elphaba refuses to follow along with his surveillance plans involving winged monkeys, the Wizard stirs public outrage by spouting lies attacking her as a “wicked witch.”

Even with the show's seriousness standing out anew, “Wicked” still sparkles with its fantastical moments of high-tech spectacle in director Joe Mantello's well-maintained production. Longtime “Wicked” fans may note the slightly scaled-back touring scenery by designer Eugene Lee when compared to the show's nearly four-year Chicago sit-down engagement that started back in 2005. Yet Susan Hilferty's Tony Award-winning costumes are just as elaborate and whimsical, while Kenneth Posner's colorfully intense lighting design has been enhanced with more elaborate digital projections by Elaine J. McCarthy.

Elphaba (Mary Kate Morrissey), left, is coached on how to be "Popular" by college roommate Glinda (Ginna Claire Mason) in "Wicked." Courtesy of Joan Marcus

“Wicked” on tour also doesn't stint on the talent, which is wowing even in the supporting roles. Two-time Tony Award-winner Judy Kaye commands the stage as the devious and imperious Shiz headmistress Madame Morrible. Meanwhile, Tony Award-nominee Robin De Jesús makes for a heartbreaking munchkin BOQ, especially when Glinda steers away his affections toward Elphaba's initially meek sister, Nessa Rose (a fine Catherine Charlebois).

“Wicked” remains the same show with all of its rhapsodies on romance and friendship that Chicago-area audiences have enjoyed many times before. But now the contrasts between light and darkness, as well as questions about who gets to define “good” and “evil,” have come to the fore. Do you speak out against injustice as Elphaba does, or do you - like Glinda - focus on the cheerier side of things to avoid making waves?

“Wicked” remains a pop cultural phenomenon that still impresses with its sophisticated stagecraft and emotional storytelling. Yet more than before, the musical's strong built-in conscience should stir and challenge audiences.

<b>Location:</b> Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago, (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com

<b>Showtimes:</b> 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Wednesday and Sunday (also Dec. 29); through Jan. 21

<b>Running time:</b> Two hours, 45 minutes including intermission

<b>Tickets:</b> $62-$212; $25 day-of-show ticket lottery available

<b>Parking:</b> Area pay garages and limited metered street parking

<b>Rating:</b> Some scary moments, but largely for general audiences

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.