[NEohioPAL] Review of "Wicked"at PlayhouseSquare

[Bob Abelman]

A weary but wonderful Wicked comes to PlayhouseSquare 

 

Bob Abelman

News-Herald, Chagrin Valley Times, Solon Times, Geauga Times Courier

Member, International Association of Theatre Critics 

 

This review appeared in the News-Herald 11/27/09

 

Back by popular demand, the national tour of Wicked blows into PlayhouseSquare with the gale force of a twister.



The musical, based on the best-selling 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire, offers an unauthorized prequel to Frank Baum's classic The Wizard of Oz.  It provides the back-story of the green-hued Elphaba, who eventually becomes the Wicked Witch of the West, and the very blond Glinda, who is destined to become the Good Witch and guardian of Oz.  It also offers insight into the making of the flying monkeys and the creation of the Tin Man, Scarecrow and Lion.



Dorothy's appearance is limited to an in-joke and a sight gag toward the end of the second act, which is fine.  She gets more than enough face-time in the 1939 MGM movie.  



This year's production possesses all the majesty and stage wizardry of the record-breaking Cleveland engagements in 2006 and 2008.  It has everything you could possibly want from a tour of a hit Broadway musical. except an enthusiastic cast.  



As with the previous years' productions, the talent in this cast of Wicked is top-notch.  Chandra Lee Schwartz, as Glinda, and Donna Vivino, as Elphaba, come fully equipped with Broadway-caliber voices and stage presence.  They sell Stephen Schwartz's clever music and lyrics, brilliantly deliver Winnie Holzman's witty dialogue, and hold the audience captive throughout the performance.  



The same can be said for Ben Lieber, who plays a featured munchkin named Boq, and Richard Blake, who plays the romantic lead, Fiyero.  They are terrific.  The large ensemble is equally gifted.



The only weak spot is Richard Kline as the Wizard.  He is a former TV actor on such shows as Three's Company and, well, it shows.



Despite this abundance of talent, the first half of the opening Thursday night performance lacked passion and purpose.  Sure, the execution of Wayne Cilento's extremely creative choreography was performed with precision.  And, yes, every song was sung to perfection.  These are professionals.  Nonetheless, there was a clear and present road-weariness that weighed down the production.  It was not until the second act that adrenaline kicked in, the cast realized it was not in Kansas City anymore (their previous destination), and things revved up to full gale force.  



The performances are obviously a huge part of this production, but so is Eugene Lee's staging.  The numerous sets, which constitute the extraordinarily colorful, massive, eye-popping pieces and parts of Oz, are phenomenal.  The show is saturated with superb special effects by Chic Silber and elaborate, surreal costuming by Susan Hilferty.  Simply experiencing the visual presentation of this remarkable production, as orchestrated by Tony Award-winning director Joe Mantello, is worth the price of admission. 



There's no place like home, and Wicked has apparently found one in Cleveland.  



Wicked continues through December 13 at PlayhouseSquare's State Theatre in Cleveland.  For tickets, which range from $34.50 to $130.00, call (216) 241-6000 or visit www.playhousesquare.com.

 
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