Wicked at The Paramount Theatre

An incredible show from the brilliance that is Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman.  Based on the book from Gregory Maguire, “Wicked” takes a look at the lives of Elphaba and Galinda, the Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch of the North from the Wizard of Oz, before Dorothy dropped in. Was the Wicked Witch always so Wicked?  Was Glinda the Good always so good and what happened to the Ga in her name?  These are not the characters you think you know.

And beyond the familiar and iconic characters, Schwartz, Holzman and Maguire have created a beautiful story about friendship between two very different strong women.  And it’s that relationship that resonates with so many people making this a juggernaut of a show.

The voices were amazing.  Dee Riscioli as Elphaba and Patti Murin as Glinda have the pipes to back up these amazing roles.  Both ladies have taken these iconic roles and made them their own straying as far from the originals as one might dare.  Riscioli is a little more subdued and subtle an Elphaba than I’ve seen yet still manages a nice arc for her character.  And Murin goes beyond spoiled little rich girl and almost into dork, which is a refreshing change and also shows off the growth of her character.  Cliffton Hall is dashing and dreamy as the Prince Fiyero in the middle of this love triangle.  Kim Zimmer and Tom McGowan are equal parts fun and evil as the scheming Madame Morrible and The Wizard.  Clifton Davis is wonderfully thoughtful as the tragic Dr. Dillamond.  And Justin Brill and Demaree Hill are great as the misguided lovers Boq and Nessarose.