Not so Wicked: Of friendship and love

MANILA, Philippines - After a spectacular run in Auckland, New Zealand, “Wicked” will be opening in a week and everyone is raring for the chance to see this Broadway musical phenomenon.

 Wicked opens on Jan. 22 and will run for five weeks at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Wicked is a dazzling re-imagining of L. Frank Baum’s stories and characters in his book “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.”  Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the Land of Oz. One, born with emerald green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. Wicked tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.

Producer James Cundall, CEO of Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, said: “ Wicked is guaranteed to leave both young and old Filipino theater-goers spellbound with a story that tugs at the heartstrings, and features spectacular costumes, thrilling technical wizardry, and a phenomenal musical score that will keep audiences coming back for more.”

“The one-of-a-kind musical features an astounding display of glitz, glamor, and entrancing special effects,” he adds.

From 200 costumes designed by Tony Award winner Susan Hilferty – with some cast members making up to eight costume changes – to a set by Tony Award winner Eugene Lee that features a myriad of moving parts and stunning flying effects, every little detail comes together to conjure the fantastic world of Oz for audiences.

Winner of 50 major awards including a Grammy, three Tony Awards and six Helpmann Awards, Wicked has thrilled over 38 million people worldwide over the last decade. Wicked has been Broadway’s #1 show for an unprecedented nine consecutive years and has been seen by over 7 million people at the Gershwin Theatre since it opened in October 2003, repeatedly breaking box office records and regularly grossing in excess of $1.8 million a week.

“Wicked celebrated its 10th anniversary on Broadway last October and we are very excited to add Manila to the long list of international cities that have welcomed the show,” said anniversary last October,” says Wicked producers Marc Platt and David Stone. “We trust that audiences here will embrace and celebrate its powerful storytelling and universal themes as warmly as those in North America, the UK, Japan, Germany, Holland and Australia.”

There are currently nine productions of the musical worldwide.  Wicked’s North American and international companies have cumulatively grossed over $3.1 billion.

What makes Wicked “the defining musical of the decade,” as dubbed by the New York Times? Is it the costumes and stunning props? The compelling musical score and relatable lyrics by Grammy Award winner Stephen Schwartz? Or could it be the premise of a beautiful friendship that blossoms between two very different girls?

“Wicked is telling audiences to accept each other and the value of friendship and love on a friendship level. The relationship between Elphaba and Glinda is so strong and so full of ups and downs and we’ve all had that in our own lives. Wicked really has the story of someone, for example, when you’re a child and you grow up and learn that the world is not quite what you were taught by your parents – that’s what happens to both of these characters within the show. And we’ve all experienced that so it’s very familiar,” says musical director David Young. Jemma Rix (Elphaba) explains that Wicked is about standing up for what you believe in: “You don’t know exactly what’s going on but you delve into that and realize things about yourself.”

Suzie Mathers (Glinda) explains that even though it’s set in the land of Oz, the themes in the show are extremely real and identifiable. “You go there and you get taken into this incredible journey, especially with the two girls, with their friendship.”

Still, people who have seen the show will agree that it’s not all sunshine and rainbows in the land of Oz. Wicked goes behind the Oz head to tell you what happened before Dorothy dropped in, why Glinda the Good is good and the Wicked Witch of the West is wicked, and if indeed they were born that way.

“Now we have a story about love and friendship, of duplicity and of ambition, of abuse and of power. It’s got everything for everybody. It’s got the good, bad and the ugly too... there’s something there for everyone to hang their hook on,” explains Maggie Kirkpatrick, who plays headmistress of Shiz University, the place where Elphaba and Glinda’s paths collide.

Winnie Holzman, who is responsible for the Wicked book, says, “It’s about how we look at the world. Do we listen to what authority tells us? To me, that’s what Wicked is about.”

The Philippine season of Wicked is presented by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, David Atkins Enterprises, Radio High 105.9, and Concertus Manila. Its presenting sponsors are SMART Infinity and VISA. Other major sponsors are Philippine Airlines, PLDT Telpad, Neurogen-E, CarbTrim, Diamond Hotel, and OOCL. Make-up provided by MAC.

Wicked for Yolanda: The benefit show and auction

Local producers of the show namely and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, in conjunction with Wicked Worldwide, have announced a benefit show on Jan. 31 at 1:30 pm. There will also be a spellbinding auction after curtain call to raise funds for the people who were affected by Typhoon Yolanda.

The auction will include a beautifully packaged Wicked prop from the show. Additionally, “A WICKED Experience,” which entitles the person to a walk-on role in the opening and closing scenes as a cast member, with makeup and costume, will also be auctioned by a celebrity. The cast will also be in the lobby post show for bucket collections.

“You are constantly in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. We’re sending you all our love and strength,” said Wicked’s two leading ladies Jemma Rix and Suzie Mathers.

Jay Laga’aia who plays the Wizard, said: “I would like to add my voice to the many who are wishing you a speedy recovery, not only of the country but also of your spirit.”