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Sixty-seven years after it first debuted on the silver screen, The Wizard of Oz remains a mainstay of popular culture. DVDs and memorabilia continue to sell at a brisk pace; lines from the movie are commonly quoted, both in the mass media and in private; and theatrical productions still grace stages all over the world.
The Wicked Witch, having haunted at least three generations of children, ranks among popular culture’s greatest all-time villains. Now, WICKED comes along to turn upside down everything we think we know about her. It tells, from her point of view, what happened in Oz before Dorothy showed up. She had a name--Elphaba; and had one very distinct characteristic: her green skin color. Because she was so different, she became an outcast, and this led her down the path that determined her infamous destiny. As a huge fan of The Wizard of Oz, I am fascinated by the notion that someone actually dared to create a prequel to such a legendary story. WICKED author Gregory Maguire has brilliantly dug far below the surface of The Yellow Brick Road to expose Oz as a society, including its history, politics and social customs. This fictional country serves as the backdrop for Elphaba’s life story, and Maguire focuses on her young adult years. Yes, she eventually became a detriment to society. But we learn that not only was she very smart; she also had feelings, had been in love and been loved. We become immersed in her ostracism, and sympathetic to her plight. When Elphaba sings “Defying Gravity,” it is goes straight to your heart; much as it felt when Dorothy sang “Somewhere over the Rainbow.” WICKED brings many other daring twists to effectively shake up that which you previously believed. Glinda the Good Witch had always represented purity, light, and a portal through which Dorothy could return home. In WICKED, Glinda is a fashionable, blond co-ed, with superficial values. It is compelling to witness the connection between the admired party girl and the green wallflower; and then to reflect on what will transpire years later when a young stranger in a gingham dress appears on the scene. We are very glad that you have chosen to see WICKED
here at Playhouse Square Center. Most other parts of the country will
not be as fortunate as Cleveland: WICKED is playing only a select group
of major cities, after which it will travel to the West Coast, then
to Toronto until early 2007. As you hear the overture, and the curtain starts to rise, we hope you will experience that same tingle of anticipation that you experienced when the opening credits of The Wizard of Oz flashed on your television screen so many spring-times ago. Enjoy WICKED! Gina Vernaci
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