|
Apr.
1, 2005. 12:05 AM
Wicked
casts quite a spell
RICHARD
OUZOUNIAN
THEATRE CRITIC
------------------------------------------------------
Wicked
Music
and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Book by Winnie
Holzman. Directed by Joe Mantello. Until April
24 at Canon Theatre, 244 Victoria St. 416-872-1212.
------------------------------------------------------
Ding dong, we've got a hit.
There's
only two things wrong with the production of Wicked
that opened at the Canon Theatre last night: It's
just here for seven weeks and it's sold out already.
This
is the kind of show that Toronto likes to wrap
in a loving embrace, filled with eye-popping colour,
spectacular staging and vibrant emotions.
If
there's any justice, it ought to make a return
visit before too long. In the meantime, if you're
one of the lucky ticket holders, count your blessings.
If you're not, then prepare to line up for the
last clutch of 20 seats that go on sale through
a lottery each evening.
Like
a Christmas stocking packed with goodies, this
show has so many delights to offer, it's hard
to know where to begin.
The
book by Winnie Holzman (based on Gregory Maguire's
smashing novel) is a truly clever piece of work.
It offers us the backstory to the witches of Oz
— good and wicked — as well as filling us in on
where the ruby slippers came from, how the Tin
Man and Scarecrow wound up like they did, etc.
But
it's also a serious exploration of the nature
of friendship, as well a cautionary fable about
the danger of governments who rule by fear.
All
of this is also captured by Stephen Schwartz's
tuneful score, which knows when to soar with inspiring
pop anthems or when to make you smile with its
musical and lyrical cleverness.
Eugene
Lee's set is a knockout — the first one to fit
comfortably in the cavernous Canon since The Phantom
crashed his last chandelier. And if you need more
eye candy, then turn to the costumes of Susan
Hilferty and the lighting of Kenneth Posner.
Director
Joe Mantello keeps the whole thing moving seamlessly,
with scene changes that melt into other like flipping
pages in a beloved picture book and Wayne Cilento's
choreography knows just when to break out the
killer moves.
But
in the end, it's some amazing performances that
make this show take flight.
At
the head of the list is Stephanie J. Block as
Elphaba, the green-skinned witch we wind up calling
"Wicked". Block not only has a voice that can
belt a song to the stratosphere, but she acts
with a pleasing reality that grounds the evening.
It's a star performance without star affectation,
well worth watching.
Kendra
Kassebaum is right at her side as the perky blond
Glinda, good as good can be. Kassebaum could perhaps
get more out of her role's early comedy, but there's
no question about how well she delivers the character's
darker journey as the show progresses.
Carol
Kane is a deliciously macabre Madame Morrible,
David Garrison an ingratiating Wizard and Derrick
Williams a seriously cool Fiyero.
There's
also a lovely subplot about Elphaba's crippled
sister and the munchkin who loves her. Jenna Leigh
Green pulls on your heartstrings just enough and
Logan Lipton is quirky charm personified.
Wicked
has been put together by people with showbiz savvy
and theatrical boldness, but it's the feelings
they convey that make the show such a winner.
Sure,
they've got the brains and the nerve, but best
of all, they've got the heart. Plenty of it.
Bring
it back again soon.
|
