The mega-hit musical Wicked will take flight from February 9 through March 6, 2022, at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, California.
This magical tale of two student witches — one blonde (the delightful Allison Bailey), one green (the commanding Talia Suskauer) — whose unlikely friendship sets up the backstory to Dorothy’s adventures in Oz has played to sold-out houses since its Broadway opening in 2003.
Set in the shimmering seemingly perfect Emerald City, the young girls’ friendship is tested when they discover that “something bad is happening in Oz”. (Spoiler alert) The good Witch Galinda (Bailey) turns a blind eye so as to remain “Popular” with the all-powerful Wizard (Tony winner Cleavant Derricks) whose cultish Munchkins label Elphaba (Suskauer) “wicked” when she bravely calls out their demigod Wizard of Oz as the evil fraud behind the treachery. The fantastic plot is humorous, heartfelt and frighteningly relevant.
(Photo: Joan Marcus/Courtesy: Segerstrom Center for the Arts)
Penned by Stephen Schwartz, heir to the recently demised Stephen Sondheim’s title as greatest living American theater composer/lyricist, the Grammy-winning Broadway-meets-pop score bubbles with melodic tunes including Elphaba’s anthem calling for all to defy social oppression by “Defying Gravity.” This song of rock-opera proportions is widely recognized as one of Broadway’s most demanding arias.
Wicked not only requires mammoth-like on-stage talents like all the aforementioned musical performers, but it also requires a huge backstage production team – wardrobe alone consists of 350 costumes, 80 wigs and 350 pairs of shoes at a cost of about $3 million. Add to that the full orchestra, sets, lights and visual effects and you’ve got perhaps the most stunning production ever assembled.
The North American tour will take up a one-month residency at the luxurious Segerstrom Center for the Arts and serve up all the music, magic and majesty that has made Wicked one of the most satisfying, family-friendly shows in history. It’s actually difficult to describe the youthful ebullience and dazzling beauty of Wicked. It’s an unforgettable theatrical experience for your eyes, ears and soul. So hop into your car (or onto your enchanted broomstick) and see Wicked!
For show information and tickets, visit: www.scfta.org/events/2022/wicked
About the journalist: Cris Franco has won both the Imagen and Nosotros Awards for excellence in television writing.
