Review: WICKED at Providence Performing Arts Center

For some productions, the whole is bigger than the sum of its parts, to borrow a phrase. For Wicked, which plays at the Providence Performing Arts Center through January 10, 2010, each part of the production is magical, all on its own.

Readers of L. Frank Baum or Gregory Maguire could reasonably expect that it is the transportive element of 'Oz' that is the draw. In telling the backstory of the Witches of Oz, Maguire reminds us that the line between "Good" and "Wicked" is not always clear, even when it is in Technicolor.

Broadway fans who have heard Stephen Schwartz's brilliant, soaring, soundtrack, would be reasonable to believe that it is the music that is the 'star' of the production. Who would argue with them? Beginning with the rousing anthem "No One Mourns the Wicked", Schwartz has created a melodic and lyric piece of art that is universally accessible to anyone who has ever attended junior high.

Then...there is Eugene Lee's 'Clock of The Time Dragon' set design, which is overwhelmingly beautiful and intricate, even in the touring production. Susan Hilferty's brilliant costume design could (and I think, someday, will) be exhibited on its own. These costumes telegraph, instantly, to the audience, the moral pinning of each character.

All of these elements combine to make Wicked a true 'spectacular'. Adding to the spectacular is the cast's fine performance.

Donna Vivino's becomes the steel-spined Elphaba. Vivino closes Act One with "Defying Gravity". The staging of the number, with multiple levels of illusion, could overwhelm a less charismatic performer. Rising above the stage, Vivino's Elphaba belts with almost radioactive certainty and we believe.

Chandra Lee Schwartz gives unexpected depth to a conflicted, opportunistic, Glinda. Schwartz received a huge reaction while performing Glinda's personal manifesto "Popular".

Randy Danson is divine as the dastardly Madame Morrible. As creepy as any comparable Disney villainess, Danson wears her bustle with conviction.

Richard Kline's gives a fine performance as the Wizard. (I am tempted to say the 'Wicked Wizard'.) Kline shines during his solo "A Sentimental Man" and retreats to the background for much of the rest of the production, understanding that this show is all about the women.

Richard H. Blake is absolutely dreamy as Fiyero, the Captain of the Guard.

Conductor P. Jason Yarcho leads an orchestra of fourteen; five musicians who travel with the show and nine local musicians who joined the orchestra specially for its Providence run. The orchestra beautifully re-creates the big, Broadway sound of Wicked.

Wicked runs at Providence Performing Arts Center through January 10, 2010. Tickets range from $53-$153, with a daily lottery of $25 orchestra seats. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office, which is located at 220 Weybosset St., Providence, RI. , by calling (401) 421-2787 or by logging on to www.ppacri.org.

Photo: Chandra Lee Schwartz as Glinda and Donna Vivino as Elphaba © Joan Marcus

To post a comment, you must register and login.