Wicked

Wicked, the Broadway blockbuster and beloved musical, defied all expectations and triumphs with its Melbourne premiere at the Regent Theatre on Thursday 7 March 2024. Thrillifying, scandalacious and oh-so ozmopolitan, a stellar Australian cast led to bring to life one of the most popular and successful musicals of all time with sheer opulence and fantastical precision. Milk Bar was in attendance to marvel at the spectacle of the classic story of good versus wicked, power and corruption, and the untold story of the land of Oz.

One of the best prequels in pop culture, Wicked is a story that follows Elphaba (Sheridan Adams), a girl born with emerald-green skin, who infamously becomes the Wicked Witch of the West, and Galinda (Courtney Monsma), the popular ‘it’ girl soon-to-be-dubbed Glinda the Good. The first act opens when Elphaba and Galinda meet at an academy dedicated to wizardry, and upon Madame Morrible’s (Robyn Nevin) machinations, find themselves as roommates. Their initial rivalry morphs into an unlikely and tumultuous friendship. When offered an audience with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Simon Bourke), Elphaba and Galinda’s hopes are dashed by the literal smoke and mirrors upon learning of the wizard’s plot to transform the knowledgeable animals into beasts. Elphaba becomes determined to stop the wizard and “trust her instincts” and leap, while Galinda grovels in submission “to feed her own ambition”.

The second act moves the story to focus on the dichotomy between the public perceptions of Galinda (now Glinda) and Elphaba, and the origin stories of famous characters from The Wizard of Oz, including the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion. Dorothy and her journey down the yellow brick road is largely inferred except for the critical moment featuring a pesky bucket of water and the Wicked Witch. In the closing moments, Elphaba and Glinda come to realise the profound effects they have had on each other’s lives.

Wicked is an extraordinary piece of theatre led by an incredible ensemble cast. Sheridan Adams shined as Elphaba, playing the deadpan delivery to perfection when the scene called for it. A clear standout moment of her tremendous talent for me – and most likely many others – is in belting the anthemic ‘Defying Gravity’ song while ascending into the atmosphere. Courtney Monsma did a great job of playing Adams’ counterpart; their on-stage chemistry was visible, their girl power vibe was palpable, typified by their unforgettable and poignant – almost moving – delivery of ‘For Good’. Robyn Nevin was terrific playing the duplicitous Madame Morrible, playing to her strengths seen in her role as Margaret in Upper Middle Bogan. No stranger to theatre, Simon Bourke AO was also memorable as the wizard.

A story of female friendship, love, courage and conquering evil, Wicked is quite simply a theatrical spectacle that cannot be missed. Wicked runs at the Regent Theatre until April 28. Tickets can be purchased below.

Wicked
https://wickedthemusical.com.au/