Musical Review: ‘Wicked’ is a must-see at the Detroit Opera House

"Wicked" is now playing at the Detroit Opera House. (Photo by Joan Marcus)

DETROIT — In the land of Oz, there is a place called Emerald City where “Wicked” the Musical returns to the Detroit Opera House beginning August 8 through September 2.  With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, “Wicked” is based on the novel by Gregory Maguire.  There is no place like home and long before Dorothy comes into the picture, the story begins.

The musical begins with Glinda, the good witch, played by Ginna Claire Mason, comes down from the sky suspended on a metal pendulum stand surrounded by bubbles and fog.  “According to a melting pot at the 13th hour, the wicked witch is dead,” she says as she sings “No one mourns the wicked.”

The story starts with the birth of the Wicked witch, Elphaba, played by Mary Kate Morrissey.  And yes she is a baby with emerald-green skin.  Both Glinda and Elphaba go to school together.  They become the best of friends.  At school, she finds out she has certain powers.  Elphaba is unattractive and often misunderstood, so Glinda wants to transform her into a beauty.  She officially becomes ‘Glindified.’

Then Elphaba gets a card and its says she’s off to see the Wizard.  So the two best friends head to Emerald City to see the Wizard of Oz.  The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.  The Wizard knows why she came and will grant her wish.

Act Two begins back in Emerald City and Glinda becomes engaged.  Elphaba is missing and maybe doesn’t want to be found, then eventually heads to Emerald City.  She does something totally unexpected and shocking, at least to me.  There were laughs, gasps and even a love story.

“Wicked” had a 15-minute intermission between the two Acts.  I loved the set and set changes.  The choreography was perfection and the costumes were incredible.  There was lots of fog at the beginning and during the entire musical.  Declared the ‘Best Musical of the Decade’ by Entertainment Weekly, “Wicked” has received over 100 international awards including the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards.  If you want a great family night out at the theatre,  “Wicked” is the one to see.

Performance times for “Wicked” at the Detroit Opera House, located at 1526 Broadway, in Detroit are:

  • Tuesday through Saturday evening performances at 8:00 p.m.
  • Sunday evening performances at 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday & Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m

Tickets starts at $43 (includes facility fee) and are available for purchase online at www.broadwayindetroit.com or www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-982-2787 and at the Fisher Theatre and Detroit Opera House box office.

 

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