Wicked a Must See

In the vernacular of days gone by, "Wicked" is a wow!

The Broadway musical, which tells the "untold story of the witches of Oz," is in Cleveland through March 9. If you haven't seen it, make every attempt to do so.

The show, adapted from the best-selling novel, focuses on two girls who meet in the Land of Oz. One, Elphaba, who was born with emerald-green skin, is smart and entirely misunderstood. The other, Galinda, is blonde, ambitious and very popular. Unlikely as it seems, the two become friends and, eventually, the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.

"Wicked" is filled with spectacle, glitz and glamour. The sets are great and the costumes breathtaking, particularly those worn by the residents of the Emerald City. And yes, Glinda does, indeed, fly as do Elphaba and the monkeys.

The performances are marvelous, particularly those of Katie Rose Clarke as Glinda and Carmen Cusack as Elphaba. Both are accomplished actresses and remarkable vocalists. They make you glad the Broadway musical is alive and thriving.

Among the show's many memorable musical highlights are "Popular" performed by Clarke and "Defying Gravity," the Act 1 finale, performed by Cusack and members of the ensemble.

Also worthy of mention are Alma Cuervo as Madame Morrible and Lee Wilkof as the Wizard and Cliffton Hall as Fiyero. Wilkof, incidentally, is a Canton native and a former "Trumpet in the Land" cast member.

Yes, "Wicked" is everything a Broadway musical should be.

However, once the stardust has settled, you'll begin to realize it's also a show with a message. Is Elphaba really as "wicked" as we have always been led to believe? Or, is she a victim of mob mentality, judged more for her appearance - she is, after all, green - than for her deeds?

When Elphaba decides to become an advocate for the animals of Oz, she is deemed an outlaw and forced to go into hiding. Her decision causes a rift in her relationship with Glinda, a rift that grows deeper when Glinda learns Fieryo actually is in love with Elphaba.

Finally, as the show comes to its conclusion, Glinda and Elphaba perform "For Good," a song in which each reveals they would not have become the person they are, had it not been for the other. It's a song nearly all of us can live by, because were it not for someone else, we probably would have not become the individual we are.