REVIEW: "Wicked" Touring Company in Indianapolis

Performance: Sunday, June 21st @ 1:00pm

Location: Murat Theatre, Indianapolis, IN

Okay, so I have to preface this review by saying that this is the third time I have seen Wicked. Sadly, I never saw the amazing Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth, but I did see it twice in Chicago during its record breaking run.

I am sure that most of you are familiar with this musical that has taken America by storm (and hopefully you have also read the book!!) Before seeing the show for the first time, I was initially skeptical because I loved Gregory Maguire's book which was very dark, but forces one to ask the question - "Can one be defined as Wicked simply because he/she is the only person to stand up against actions that are wrong?" I was pleasantly surprised that the show was able to stay true to that message and yet is one that can be watched by even the younger theatre-goers. (Seeing Dr. Dillamond's throat slit on stage might be slightly traumatizing!) What I look for and is most important to me, is the transformation of Elphaba's character and how well the actress playing Elphaba can carry that transformation.

This Indianapolis production was performed on a smaller stage than that of the Oriental Theatre in Chicago. Personally, I think Clowes Hall at Butler University (which was also a location for the Indianapolis - Broadway Across America Season) would have been a better choice, though it did not seem to affect the strength of the production overall.

While all of the vocals were right on mark and beautifully executed, my one disappointed was Carrie Manolakos' performance as Elphaba. She served as the Standby for the role of Elphaba and I had been looking forward to seeing Marcie Dodd, who had just come from the Broadway production. While Carrie was spot on vocally, she lacked the physicality that makes Elphaba who she is. I simply didn't believe her portrayal of Elphaba's transformation. In previous productions, I saw Dee Roscioli and Lisa Brescia, both of whom were able to make a believable and breathtaking transition from the semi-shy Elphaba to the driven and strong Elphaba at the end of the first and second act. I just didn't feel the strength of the Elphaba character come through in Carrie's performance, which is so important.
















Lisa Brescia (Above) as Elphaba

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Carrie Manolakos (Left) Dee Roscioli (Right)

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The stand-out performance in this production was, without a doubt, Helene Yorke as Glinda. While I enjoyed the performance of Annaleigh Ashford in Chicago, Helene's performance was a cut above. She made Glinda her own, as all those who play her do, but I found her performance the most believable in addition to the magnificent vocals. She captured the essence of the light hearted, self-absorbed Galinda of the first act, as well as the pensive and questioning Glinda of the second act. I thoroughly enjoyed her performance.



Believe it or not, I am planning a 4th trip to see Wicked in May 2010 at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts. My hope is to still catch Marcie Dodd (seen at the left with Helene York as Glinda). With Elphaba being my personal favorite in this musical, I feel I need to see the show again to cancel out my slight disappointed in Elphaba in this performance.