It’s not easy being green, even if you’re Kermit the Frog or any green frog for that matter. Note how Shrek and the Hulk and the lowly artichoke have had their share of problems being accepted.
Long before Dorothy and Toto traveled by tornado from their farm in Kansas along the yellow brick road to the Emerald City to visit the grand and powerful Wizard of Oz, there were a trio of women, mere girls at the time, who were destined to become memorable as witches. If you peek behind the bushes next to that famous road of yellow bricks, you might see what happens before Dorothy and Toto drop in for a visit.
Welcome to “Wicked,” sailing into the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford for an extended stay to Sunday, May 12. Based on the book by Gregory Maguire, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and story by Winnie Holzman, “Wicked” has won 35 major awards, a Grammy and three Tonys.
Kermit the Frog and Shrek know what it’s like to be judged by the color of your skin, in this case green. Even if you’re emerald hued and beautiful, you will still be labeled different. To discover the misunderstood heroine of “Wicked,” the fiery and independent Elphaba (Olivia Valli) who attends Shiz University and meets Glinda (Celia Hottenstein) and, unlikely as it seems, they eventually become best friends.
All is not well at Shiz University, run by Madame Morrible (Kathy Fitzgerald) where Doctor Dillamond, (Boise Holmes) is losing his ability to speak and, like all the animals, is being controlled by outside forces. With the help of Glinda and the princely Fiyero (James D. Gish), Elphaba finds herself using her magic powers to meet with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Tom McGowan) to save the animals and defeat the enemies. Little does she know who her fearful foes really are. As she tries to use her talents, she learns that controlling them and doing her spells is next to impossible.
With smooth direction by Joe Mantello, great sets by Eugene Lee, costumes in shades of kelly and lime by Susan Hilferty, clever lighting by Kenneth Posner, intense sound by Tony Meola and orchestration in great songs like “Popular” and "Defying Gravity” by William David Brown, “Wicked” offers a bounty of excitement for the whole family.
The “happily ever after” is not destined to triumph and here loyalties are tested and power becomes too tempting a prize. Nessarose, Elphaba’s younger sister, offers insights into herself and her big sister. As Nessa, she is crippled, in a wheel chair, selfish and self-centered. She desires more out of life and she is embarrassed by having a sister who is green. Wanting desperately to be normal, she blames Elphaba for all her problems. As Nessarose, she becomes the governor of Munchkinland and uses her magic powers to control her subjects. By turning to the dark side, Nessa earns the title of Wicked Witch of the East and Dorothy’s home eventually falls on her, crushing her until only her famous silver slippers remain. The slippers turn ruby later on.
Nessarose (Tara Kostmayer) understands how in seeking love and being thwarted, she becomes evil and totally misunderstood. In falling in love with Boq ( Kyle McArthur), a munchkin, she abuses her powers and ends up destroying herself.For tickets to “Wicked” ($76 and up), call the Bushnell, 166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford at 860-987-5900 or online at https://bushnell.org/shows-concerts. Performances are Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Thursday at 2 p.m.on some dates and 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Grab your magic broomstick, don something green to wear and defy gravity at what Entertainment Weekly calls “the best musical of the decade.”
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