I haven’t seen Wicked since it played at the Capitol Theatre in 2009. I remember enjoying it without falling totally in love with it. My husband was enamoured though, and my parents wished they’d seen it, so I found myself at the Lyric on the weekend ready to experience it all again. I wasn’t especially excited, but I reasoned enough time had passed that I was bound to have a good time.
I wondered how the latest cast could possibly match the talents of Jemma Rix and Lucy Durack, who perfectly inhabited the lead roles, or even stellar supporting players like Rob Mills and Bert Newton. I needn’t have worried about it though. This country has a habit of producing such incredible performers. I’d always thought Lucy Durack was the perfect Glinda, but Courtney Monsma is at the very least her equal. She made the role her own, playing up the character’s brattiness and bringing true heart when required. My husband always judges a Glinda by their performance of “Thank Goodness.” At its conclusion, he leaned over to me and told me she’d nailed it. Elphaba is such a demanding role, but I think Sheridan Adams was solid in it. I could hear a little strain as she tackled those stratospheric notes, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they become more effortless as the season progresses. Liam Head charmed as Fiyero, as any good Fiyero should do, and Todd McKenney made the most of every moment as The Wizard.
As the story played out, I found myself enjoying it more than I thought I might. Anticipating the twists and turns, the way the pieces would fall into place, was comforting. Rather than holding my breath as I did the first time around, I could take pleasure in what was around the corner. My familiarity with the songs saw me looking forward to my favourites, which were always performed so perfectly. My husband plays the soundtrack so often I’d forgotten how much richer these songs are with the rich visuals of the stage.
The Australian musical theatre scene has typically played it safe over recent years. With the notable exception of Hamilton, most major productions have been jukebox musicals, adaptations of Disney films, or shows that regularly grace our stages (I’m looking at you Hairspray). I’m relying on community theatre groups to bring me something new, but with 14 years passing since Wicked’s last showing this almost feels fresh. If you’ve never seen Wicked before, don’t sleep on this one. And if you have like me, this production certainly makes it worth a second look.
Wicked is at the Lyric Theatre in Eora/Sydney until December 30. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.
I had high expectations, which were happily met. In many cases the performances were better than the ones we saw on the big screen. I guess that’s what happens when you can choose your players based on talent rather than their box office power. Esther Hannaford definitely outperformed Amanda Bynes’ insipid Penny, and while Queen Latifah was no slouch I think Cle Morgan brought added soul to Motormouth Maybelle. I’d also take the all-singing, all-dancing Jack Chambers over Zac Effron’s Link Larkin any day, and my inner teenager went nuts for Tevin Campbell’s Seaweed. I thought Nikki Blonsky was a wonderful Tracy Turnblad, but the Sydney star Jaz Flowers was every bit her equal.