Brenda Hill
Author & Editor
Pantages Theater
Hollywood, CA
Long before Dorothy and Toto drop into
Munchkinland, two young women meet at Shiz University in the northern
province of Oz. Glinda, blonde, and so pretty and popular that she’s
quite vain, has such innate goodness that her narcissism is amusing and
forgivable. Elphaba, on the other hand, has been shunned all her life
because she happened to be born green.
The two women instantly dislike each other and are horrified when
they’re forced to become roommates. The animosity grows worse when
Glinda falls in love. Fiyero is an admired Vinkus prince of Winkie
Country, and his arrival on campus is celebrated with fanfare by an
adoring audience. Glinda decides to marry him, only he becomes smitten
with the serious, green-skinned Elphaba, whose campus life is consumed
with studies, her love of animals, and her responsibilities to her
wheel-chair-bound sister, Nessarose.
In a moment of jealousy, Glinda gives Elphaba an old, discarded pointed
hat to wear to the school dance, assuring her it’s the height of
fashion. But when Elphaba arrives wearing a long skirt and the hat, our
first glimpse beyond the green skin of the witch-figure she’ll become,
she’s shunned and ridiculed. She pretends to ignore the mockery, but
Glinda knows how hurt she truly is and feels guilty and ashamed for her
first unkind act. She makes amends and the two women warm to each other
and become best friends, loyal to each other beyond popularity and skin
color.
Their friendship and how one becomes the Good Witch of the North and
the other the Wicked Witch of the West, is the theme of Wicked, the
award-winning smash musical hit now playing at the Pantages Theater in
Hollywood.
Adapted from the best-selling novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the
Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, which, in turn was based
on L. Frank Baum's story The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the play breaks
box office records where it appears. Since it opened on Broadway in
2003, it’s won many awards, including the Tony in several categories, a
Fan’s Choice, and even a Grammy. It’s toured Toronto, England, Germany,
and Japan.
I was treated to the award-winning play last Wednesday evening, a
birthday present from my son, Roger, and daughter in law, Debbie. I
still love the old childhood books and movies, so I was looking forward
to the performance, but I had no idea of how entranced I would be.
Concerned about traffic, we arrived over an hour early, so we had no
trouble finding an open parking lot adjacent to the theater. For $8.00,
we could park in a manned lot until they closed at 4am. I also heard
there is a Metro Rail exit right across the street, but I have no
knowledge of their schedule.
The Pantages Theater is an experience. Recently it underwent a major
restoration before the L.A. run of The Lion King, bringing back the
marvelous art deco work that had been covered by years of neglect. From
the huge lobby to the red velvet chairs in the auditorium and the
mezzanine, the theater recaptures the glitz and feel of the old
Hollywood. Dress is your choice. I saw suits and dresses as well as
slacks and trousers, so I’d suggest wearing what you’d normally wear to
go out to dinner.
Once seated, we all waited in anticipation while the theater filled to
capacity. Before us on stage was a huge beige screen with a map of Oz.
Centered above the screen, a winged dragon with red glowing eyes
glowered at the audience. The kid in me shivered in delight.
I didn’t know the cast, only JoAnne Worley from her Laugh-In days, and
John Rubinstein. She plays the university’s headmistress, and John
Rubinstein is the wizard. I didn’t know the two stars who became the
witches, but each gave such a magnificent performance that I won’t
forget them. And each has a beautiful singing voice. Some of the vocals
are soft and tender, but Teal Wicks, who plays Elphaba the wicked
witch, has some memorable strong vocals, especially “Defying Gravity”
at the close of Act 1, that I wonder how she manages to perform each
day. Perhaps that’s why there have been periodically changes in cast
members.
Ms Wicks is a California native, graduating with a degree in Drama and
honors in Musical Theater from UC Irvine. Erin Mackey, a Fullerton
native, also played Glinda in Wicked’s Chicago company for two years,
and she’s perfect for the role.
I sat spellbound during the entire first act, laughing at times at
Glinda’s dialogue, weeping unashamedly at the close of the first act
when Elphaba rises to power. The scenery was magnificent, and the
entire cast and crew created an unforgettable performance from the
quiet landscape under the bridge to thunderous lighting and the
dazzling effects at the end of the first act.
And, when the cast exists the building at the stage door in back, they sign autographs and pose for photos.
If you have any interest in seeing this multi-award-wining play, don’t
delay too long. They announced April 1, 2008 that the production would
close on January 11, 2009.
Recommended for ages 8 and up, but I doubt anyone younger than a mature teenager would enjoy the storyline.
Pantages Theater
6233 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles
Ticketmaster:
866-755-2929
ORCHESTRA LEVEL
US $57.50 - US $95.50
MEZZANINE LEVEL
US $32.50 - US $95.50
