Review: WICKED in Toronto

Wicked returns to Toronto for a third time, and if previous runs are any indication seats at the Canon Theatre will be at a premium for the next few weeks. 

Toronto was the launching pad for the first tour of this phenomenally popular musical, and in this return engagement we are fortunate to have a pair of distinctive leading ladies.

Jackie Burns has the requisite pipes to deliver Elphaba’s vocal pyrotechnics and Chandra Lee Schwartz emphasizes Galinda’s superficially vain attributes to great comic effect.

Burns makes the viewer truly feel Elphaba’s painful loneliness and raises goose bumps with her “Defying Gravity.” For her part, Schwartz delivers a performance of “Popular” that is one of the funniest I have ever seen – barring a few unfortunate YouTube videos.  

Individually they are both at the very top of their game. Somehow, this doesn’t cross over into their joint scenes. For example, their argument in Munchkinland fails to milk all the inherent laughter, and their final duet “For Good” doesn’t bring a lump to the throat the way it should.

The problem is the two actresses are too considerate, dialing down the performances when they are sharing the stage instead of trying to outshine each other. As a result, the show looses tension in some key sequences.

The supporting cast is variable. Randy Danson is an uproariously fruity Madame Morrible, and Stefanie Brown overcomes the script’s deficiencies to make the lame sister Nessarose into something of a three-dimensional character.  

It is the men in the cast who prove to be more problematic. Richard H. Blake has a beautiful voice but no personality as the spoiled prince Fiyero. He also fails to generate any real chemistry with either of his leading ladies: Fiyero is supposed to find himself physically attracted to the perky blonde, but intrigued by the intellectuAl Green-skinned brunette, and Blake ignores all that potential subtext.

Justin Brill is irritating without being in any way endearing about the munchkin, Boq, and Kevin McMahon’s subdued performance renders the supposedly great wizard of Oz anything but.

The ensemble is similarly underpowered, seeming reduced in number from previous visits. On the plus side the tech credits are top notch, and the scenic effects remain impressive. The keyboard heavy orchestra (combining a core group of five who travel with the show and ten more locals) can thunder ominously at the dramatic moments but occasionally outweighs the singers making hash of Stephen Schwartz’s lyrics.

Schwartz does this himself right off the top of the show with lines that don’t quite rhyme. A later lyric conjures up the bizarre imagery of “a handprint on my heart” that sticks out so badly that you spend the next two lines sorting out its intent. All too often the lyrics merely repeat variations on a single theme but once in a while he offers a nugget of character insight.

Winnie Holzman’s script could use more of the darkness of Gregory Maguire’s novel instead of going for sitcom level jokes. These are flaws that have been part of this show since it began its sensational run nearly seven years ago. Obviously, it doesn’t seriously mar anyone’s overall enjoyment of the piece. The overall effect is still dazzling and fortunately enough of that dazzle remains intact in this touring edition to make it enjoyable, handprint on its heart and all.

 

Wicked continues at the Canon Theatre until November 28. For tickets go to www.mirvish.com or call Ticketking at 416-872-1212.

A day-of-performance lottery for a limited number of seats will be held daily for Wicked. Each day, 2½ hours prior to show time, people who present themselves at the Canon Theatre box office will have their names placed in a lottery drum and then, 30 minutes later, names will be drawn for a limited number of seats that may be purchased by lottery winners at $25 each, cash only. This lottery is available only in-person at the box office, with a limit of two tickets per person. Wristband policy will be in effect (tickets will only be issued to those present at the time of purchase). ID may be required.

To post a comment, you must register and login.