Review: WICKED, Kimmel Cultural Campus - US National Tour
Photo credit: Joan Marcus
The Kimmel Cultural Campus is currently hosting Wicked, the fourth longest running Broadway production and winner of three Tony Awards®, as part of its 23-24 Broadway Series.
Wicked is based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, and has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. The production is directed by Tony Award® winner Joe Mantello with musical staging by Tony Award® winner Wayne Cilento.
The Broadway sensation takes a deeper look into the Land of Oz. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, Elphaba, born with emerald-green skin, who is smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde, Glinda, who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships…until the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked.”
Performances by Celia Hottenstein as Glinda and Olivia Valli as Elphaba are extraordinary and hard shoes to fill, considering the stardom of the original cast members on Broadway. Glinda is perfectly saccharine coated sweet while Elphaba is truly punk in her enduring kindness and activism. Other standout performances come from Tara Kostmayer as Nessarose, Kyle McArthur as Boq, Christian Thompson as Fiyero, and Timothy Shew as Chistery. A special shout out must be given to Marie Eife, Philly local and a dazzling member of the ensemble and understudy for Elphaba, who entertained all at the Kimmel sponsored after party!
In addition to cast, the set is one of the defining characters in the show. Influencers and press were invited to watch as 11 trucks stuffed with sets, props, costumes, and equipment were unloaded at the Academy of Music. A team of about 100 permanent crew and locals unloaded the trucks and spent 2.5 days constructing the steampunk set that is supposed to represent the innerworkings of a clock and unites the original book with the musical. The shapes, colours, and functional aspects of the clock gears and mechanisms define the stage space and give object permeance to audience. There is an animatronic dragon looming and breathing smoke (smog) over the proscenium and many of the characters fly across the stage, which makes it one of the most dangerous and expensive sets to build. Glinda spends more time in air than any of the other characters and her automated bubble is one of her favourite accessories.
Wicked is celebrating 20 years but this timeless classic never disappoints. There is good reason why this show is so “popular” so get your tickets before they run out!
Spellbinding and dazzling.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Jamie Flowers
Wicked plays at the Academy of Music until 26 November, with tickets available here.