Theater review: 'Wicked' is a winner at the Fox

Vicki Noon as Elphaba in "Wicked" (Photo by Joan Marcus)

Thank goodness for "Wicked."

Before Stephen Schwartz' hit musical came along, we were left to believe all sorts of scandalacious lies about the Wicked Witch of the West: Water will melt her. She's ugly. And, worst of all, she's wicked.

Well, hold on just a tick-tock.

"Wicked," based upon Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel by the same title, is a prequel to L. Frank Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," published 95 years earlier. The story explores the lives of the Wicked Witch (whose name, we learn, is Elphaba) and Galinda the Good (who later changes her name to Glinda) before that wretched girl in the gingham dress drops into Oz.

This show doesn't exactly mimic the familiar imagery and characters from the "Oz" film, but there are moments that will put a smile on your face simply because they're so familiar.

One of them: "Lemons and melons and pears. Oh my!"

Vicki Noon plays Elphaba, a role she has been involved with since 2008 in Chicago. Noon's pretty face shines through the green makeup, and she's got the voice the role demands.

On Thursday night, Noon played Elphaba for most of Act 1; when she began feeling ill, standby Anne Brummel stepped in and finished the show with aplomb.

Natalie Daradich is Glinda, the perky, optimistic Good Witch who becomes Elphaba's unlikely ally. But when both witches fall in love with Fiyero (Chris Peluso), their unexpected friendship takes an unexpected turn.

"Wicked" is full of big, enchanting musical numbers that demand your uninterrupted attention. In "One Short Day," when Elphaba and Glinda visit the Emerald City, the Fox stage transforms into a beautiful kingdom colored with a million shades of green. It's so bright the actors wear sunglasses. (Green, of course.)

Daradich sings "Popular," Glinda's signature song, with plenty of perkiness. Her hilarious lesson in hair flipping could easily be swapped with Elle Woods' famous Bend and Snap from "Legally Blonde."

Brummel's rendition of "Defying Gravity," the song made popular on Broadway by Idina Menzel, was perfect. While not an exact replication, she successfully made the song her own.

Scenic design by Eugene Lee, lighting by Kenneth Posner and projections by Elaine J. McCarthy create magical settings and effects that are very cinematic. Costumes by Susan Hilferty are both elegant and over the top.

There isn't a weak spot on this tour; "Wicked" fans will get the spectacular show they're looking forward to.

By Gabe Hartwig • ©2010 St. Louis Post-Dispatch, STLtoday.com • Published 06.19.10

Q&A: 'Wicked' actress says it's easy being green

Vicki Noon as Elphaba in "Wicked" (Photo by Joan Marcus)

Vicki Noon got her start with the hit musical "Wicked" in Chicago in 2008, as the understudy for Elphaba, the misunderstood Wicked Witch of the West. We chatted with her about her starring role as Elphaba on the national tour.

Is it easy being green? The makeup really isn’t as harsh on the skin as it may seem. It feels very light, like any other form of stage makeup I’ve worn. Sometimes I even forget that I’m green. I literally get painted, then powdered, to try to keep the green from coming off of me and onto other cast mates and props. The whole process takes about 25 minutes. I just sit back, drink my tea and have some “girl talk” with my makeup artist, Joyce.

What’s your favorite part of being Elphaba? I feel so fortunate to play a role like Elphaba. She’s strong not only in her beliefs, but in presence. And vocally, as well. Elphaba is a demanding role, and as an actress you really yearn for a character like her. Every night after I’ve taken my bow I feel like I have accomplished something great.

You began as a standby for Elphaba. How does that differ from being an understudy? An understudy is still a part of the onstage show (in other roles) every night. As standby, I wasn’t in the onstage show, except when the Elphaba called out. It was sort of like being on-call in other professions. I didn’t necessarily have to go on in the role every night, but I had to be prepared to do so if needed.

Your character gets to fly. Any fun flying stories? No funny flying stories, but I do have a lot of falling stories. I fall a lot!

Elphaba is a complex character. Are you like her? I wouldn’t say that I’m like Elphaba. I’m a much more open and friendly person than Elphaba is. I didn’t have the sort of rough childhood that she did. I have a wonderful, loving family, and I’m lovey-dovey and warm. It’s still a struggle to beat that part of me out of my portrayal of Elphaba. Elphaba is strong, stubborn and rough around the edges. I do relate to her when it comes to feeling different or being picked on. I think we’ve all been there at some point in our lives: middle school.

What do you hope audiences take away from “Wicked”? I hope audiences walk away from “Wicked” feeling better than when they sat down. That’s the goal.

By Gabe Hartwig • ©2010 St. Louis Post-Dispatch, STLtoday.com • Published 06.11.10