Review: Impressive Cast Brings Renewed Energy to Latest WICKED National Tour at OC's Segerstrom Center

Just when everyone thought it was safe to go back to see live theater again this past autumn---at least for those of us who are fully vaccinated and masked---along comes the omicron variant to spoil the fun. Productions began canceling performances during late December and early January and, sadly, I had to miss some great shows out of an abundance of caution.

But, thankfully, with infections and hospitalizations down and more booster shots adding an extra layer of protection (for now), it's back I go into the theater... double-masked, just for my own piece of mind.

What better way to ease ourselves back (again) than with a tried-and-true bonafide hit like the musical WICKED, the global stage phenomenon now back for a nice, long stay in Orange County's Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa through March 6, 2022.

Based on Gregory Maguire's clever and imaginative prequel story to L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (that spawned the classic 1939 MGM movie musical), WICKED---for the few of you unfamiliar---follows the tale of the secret friendship between the younger Glinda (née Galinda) the Good Witch and Elphaba, who would go on to be more infamously known as the Wicked Witch of the West. Mixed with not-so-subtle parallels to the perils of politics and, even, other-ism, the uplifting, crowd-pleasing show features an engaging, approachable book by Winnie Holzman and memorable, now iconic music and lyrics from Stephen Schwartz.

It's been several years since WICKED's touring company visited the OC (let alone Southern California for that matter), and you'd think that after almost 20 years of existence, the show itself would feel a bit dated and quaint now compared to more recent modern shows that have exploded out of Broadway. Well, as someone who admittedly has a deep fondness for this show (and has seen it multiple times first as a theater fan and now a theater correspondent), I can happily attest that---despite its forgivable narrative and structural flaws---WICKED is still as vibrant, as thrilling, and as emotionally satisfying as ever.

What helps the show feel as relevant and as entertaining now as it did during its early years is certainly helped by a fresh cast bringing new and exciting life to these now familiar characters. This post-lockdown relaunched national tour is headlined by two spectacular leads: the intriguing Talia Suskauer as Elphaba and the effervescent Allison Bailey as G(a)linda.

During the show's recent press performance, both laudable actors gave their respective roles refreshing vitality, sprinkling their performances with truly wonderful choices both with singing vocals and with acting that I noticed and appreciated greatly. Suskauer, in particular, wowed me in her BIG numbers, first from "The Wizard and I" all the way to her almost heartbreaking "No Good Deed"---the latter a song I normally equate to being more triumphant than openly vulnerable. For her part, Bailey made me smile with every appearance, and she had everyone wrapped around her finger with the joyful "Popular."

Suskauer and Bailey's performances were also aided tremendously by their wonderful co-stars. The dashing Jordan Litz made for a convincing cad-turned-heartthrob (with the swoon-worthy vocals to back it up) as Fiyero, the object of Elphaba's and G(a)linda's affections. Tony Award winner Clevant Derricks adds a goofy air to his Wizard of Oz, while Clifton Davis (whom I grew up watching on the sitcom Amen) makes a touching turn as Dr. Dillamond.

I was especially thrilled to see Broadway vet Lisa Howard join the cast as Madame Morrible, allowing the role to break out of the character's usual expected speak-singing cadence by giving her a chance to saaaang the role (and when you get home, you can even see her in HBO's latest period drama The Guilded Age). Dang, I now can't imagine the role sung any other way. Amanda Fallon Smith and DJ Plunkett round out the main cast as Nessarose, Elphaba's tragic sis, and as Boq, the munchkin boy crushing on G(a)linda, respectively.

The show is understandably by now a well-oiled machine, and this recent tour certainly displays that. The costumes, the special stage effects, and even the more smartly economic sets keep everything visually stunning yet practical. Musically, the show hums with precision and harmony.

My choral friend and I were even wowed by the intricate vocal sforzando sung at various points during the show.

My only gripe was how much slower "One Short Day" is sung in this new iteration, which lessens the number's normally excitable pace that reflects the hustle-and-bustle of a couple of out-of-towners exploring the big, busy, frenetic city for the first time. It felt like an odd, unwarranted change from how it was performed in past productions.

Here for a healthy stay until March 6, now is the time to get reacquainted with (or, heck, be introduced to) WICKED, especially with this current impressive cast. It's also a good refresher for when the eventual big screen adaptation finally becomes a reality.

* Follow this reviewer on Twitter: @cre8iveMLQ *

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Photos by Joan Marcus, courtesy of Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

Performances of WICKED continue at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, CA through March 6, 2022. Tickets can be purchased online at www.SCFTA.org, by phone at 714-556-2787 or in person at the SCFTA box office (open daily at 10 am). Segerstrom Center for the Arts is located at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa. For tickets or more information, visit SCFTA.org.

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