By Patricia Morris Buckley
That’s what makes the current tour of “Wicked” so surprising. Not only is the quality excellent, but the two leads are certainly not copies of the original Broadway performers (Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel). Rather, they both give the roles their own little nuances.
As Glinda, Katie Rose Clarke exaggerates the physical quirks of the character, such as tossing her hair on purpose and raising her foot behind her to denote excitement, often repeating these movements several times for a few more laughs. She has a baby voice that at first threatens to get annoying, but ultimately doesn’t go too far (thank goodness) and a chipper outlook. Think of her as Chenoweth on helium.
Donna Vivino’s Elphaba is sharp-witted and seems truly angry with her lot in life, so it’s easy to empathize with the character. That’s because it is grounded enough in reality that we feel as if we know her (or have been her). Vivino also has great comedic timing.
While these two performances seem worlds apart, they work well within the plot. Glinda and Elphaba are polar opposites when they meet at Shiz, the big university in Oz. It’s only when the walls break down that they becomes friends and their differences allow each to grow to greater heights.
That’s really the theme of “Wicked,” which is based on Gregory Maguire’s retelling of “The Wizard of Oz” through the eyes of Elphaba, AKA the Wicked Witch. “Wicked” looks at how we too often discount someone because they look, act or think differently. While Winnie Holzman’s script is wonderfully lighter than Maguire’s book, it’s the music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (“Pippin,” “Godspell” and “Rags”) that really make this musical such a hit. With hummable tunes like “Popular,” “Defying Gravity” and “I’m Not That Girl,” no wonder it is a real crowd favorite.
It’s really the performances that make a show like this. As Fiyero, the Winkie prince that both Glinda and Elphaba fall in love with, Richard H. Blake certainly has the movie star good looks. His vocals lean toward a thin pop sound, but he is believable as a love interest who has his own journey to take.
Veteran Broadway performer Lenny Wolpe’s Wizard of Oz is pleasing, but there is so much more depth to the role than he gives it. Too often, he goes for the laugh only. He is a regular guest star on TV (“ER,” “Six Feet Under,” and “The Chappelle Show”), so his is the most recognizable face on stage.
The set is smaller than the Broadway or LA productions, as expected in a touring show. However, the addition of more lighted elements on the set’s structure gives it the feeling of depth, and the dragon clock still delivers with glowing eyes and smoke-breathing mouth.
Even though this “Wicked” arrives in a smaller package, it holds up against the bigger productions just fine. Let’s hope the next touring production has just as much luck.
“Wicked” is running through August 30 at the San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave. at B Street, in downtown San Diego. Tickets are $25-$128. For more information, call (619) 570-1100 or visit www.BroadwaySD.com.
Patricia Morris Buckley has been reviewing the arts in San Diego for 25 years.
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