By Michele Schmidt
Whether it’s your first or fourth time seeing Wicked, get ready to be ‘changed for good’ by this Austin favorite! Wicked opened on March 13 and is playing at the Bass Concert Hall through March 31, 2024. The untold true story of the Witches of Oz. Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Book by Winnie Holzman -based on the novel by Gregory Maguire. Starring Olivia Valli as Elphaba and Celia Hottenstein as Glinda.
“No One Mourns the Wicked” is sung by the citizens of Oz at the start of the show as they celebrate the death of the Wicked Witch. Glinda, The Good Witch descends onto the stage in a bubble wearing a beautiful blue dress sparkling with 68,700 sequins. We go back in time and learn about Elphaba, born with green skin, and her sister, Nessarose played by Tara Kostmayer, daughters of The Governor of Munchkinland. They leave home together to study at Shiz University where Galinda (later known as Glinda) is a new student as well. Elphaba is laughed at by fellow students for her differences whereas Galinda is admired by all. Nessarose uses a wheelchair and is taken in by the headmistress Madame Morrible, played brilliantly by Kathy Fitzgerald. Elphaba is used to taking care of her sister and in her confusion and anger she
releases her magical powers on the students of Shiz. The headmistress is intrigued and offers to teach her a special course on magic which gives Elphaba hope in her powers for the first time.
Against their will, she and Galinda become roomates.
A handsome prince named Fiyero, played charmingly by James D. Gish, arrives at the University and catches the attention of Galinda. To subvert the unwanted devotion by munchkin Boq, played by Kyle McArthur, Galinda suggests he take Nessarose to the upcoming dance. Elphaba is grateful for the surprising kindness shown to her sister and asks Madame Morrible to include
Galinda in their special course. This changes the frenemies into actual friends and Galinda decides to make Elphaba “Popular” leading into one of the most famous and beloved songs from
the musical. Returning audience members were gleefully singing along while new viewers were laughing at the comedic brilliance of Hottensetin as she nailed her role of bubbly Galinda. “Pink
goes goooooooood with green!”
Suppression coming from Oz causes mayhem at Shiz University when Dr. Dillamond, a goat, is arrested and no longer allowed to teach. This angers Elphaba and she casts a spell that freezes everyone but Fiyero who agrees to help her save a caged lion cub the government had brought in to show the class how animals should be treated. Sparks fly between the two, but confusion arises as well.
Elphaba is invited to meet the Wizard and Glinda (who drops the Ga) goes with her to the Emerald City. She is tricked into using her powers to create flying monkeys as spies for the Wizard so he can gain power. Elphaba goes into hiding and Morrible, the new press secretary for the Wizard, declares her a Wicked Witch to Oz. The incredible performance of “Defying Gravity” by Valli leaves the audience blown away, excited, and ready for Act II!
Spoilers Ahead
We fast forward to Nessarose as the new Governor of Munchkinland, now known as the Wicked Witch of the East. She has embraced power by diminishing other and enslaving Boq who still loves Glinda. Fiyero and Glinda are engaged, and Glinda has been declared the Good Witch of Oz. Fiyero is the head soldier in charge of finding Elphaba and when he does, he decides to be
with her and join her mission to free the animals of Oz. Glinda is heartbroken and angry and gives Morrible the idea to harm Nessarose. Elphaba finds out that her sister has been killed by a
house falling on her. Fiyero is captured and transformed into a scarecrow. Elphaba vows to become what she has been deemed by Oz, Wicked. Glinda tried to stop Elphaba, and they reminisce about their friendship in the beautiful song, “For Good.” Elphaba refuses and we see her melt away after Dorothy throws a bucket of water at her.
Glinda is devastated yet empowered by all that has transpired. She tells the Wizard about his true relationship with Elphaba and bans him from Oz. Glinda imprisons Madame Morrible for the horrible things she has done. The citizens of Oz cheer over the Wicked Witch’s death. Yet, unbeknownst to anyone in Oz, Elphaba was saved through a trap door and leaves with Fiyero to start their new life together.
This brilliant musical has reached over 65 million audience members worldwide! Costume designer Susan Hilferty has created stunning ensembles that are uniquely made for each lead cast
member. Both Glinda’s and Elphaba’s dresses weigh 20 pounds each. Elphaba’s green makeup is applied by a make-up artist with a wet brush and takes 15 to 20 minutes to get on.
The show opened on Broadway in 2003 and started its first National Tour in 2005. Time and time again, this musical has brought magic into audience members’ lives! From the catchy songs to the beautiful tale of friendship, to the clever weaving of origins of characters from The Wizard of Oz, you find something new every time you see Wicked. Get ready to Defy Gravity and become ‘Changed For Good’ at Wicked in Austin through the end of March!
You can buy tx at texasperformingarts.org, broadwayinaustin.com, by phone at (512) 477 – 1444 or from the Texas Performing Arts ticket office at Bass Concert Hall.
Musical Numbers:
ACT 1
“No One Mourns the Wicked” – Glinda and Citizens of Oz
“Dear Old Shiz” – Students
“The Wizard and I” – Madame Morrible and Elphaba
“What Is This Feeling?” – Galinda, Elphaba, and Students
“Something Bad” – Dr. Dillamond and Elphaba
“Dancing Through Life” – Fiyero, Galinda, Boq, Nessarose, Elphaba, and Students
“Popular” – Galinda
“I’m Not That Girl” – Elphaba
“One Short Day” – Elphaba, Glinda, and Denizens of the Emerald City
“A Sentimental Man” – The Wizard
“Defying Gravity” – Elphaba, Glinda, Guards, and Citizens of Oz
ACT II
“No One Mourns the Wicked” (reprise) – Citizens of Oz
“Thank Goodness” – Glinda, Madame Morrible, and Citizens of Oz
“The Wicked Witch of the East” – Elphaba, Nessarose, and Boq
“Wonderful” – The Wizard and Elphaba “I’m Not That Girl” (reprise) – Glinda
“As Long As You’re Mine” – Elphaba and Fiyero
“No Good Deed” – Elphaba
“March of the Witch Hunters” – Boq and Citizens of Oz
“For Good” – Glinda and Elphaba “Finale” – All
Local Austin, Texas Orchestra
Reed 1 – Flute, Piccolo, Alto Flute, Recorder, Penny Whistle – Nick Goodwin
Reed 2 – Oboe, English Horn – Dorothy Butler
Reed 3 – Bb, Eb & Bass Clarinets, Soprano Sax – Paul Baker
French Horn – Tom Hale
Trumpet 1, Flugel – Eric Johnson
Trombone, Bass Trombone – Tyler Valdick
Percussion – Tom Burritt
Keyboard 4 – Matt Russell
Bass (Double), 5 String E;ectric, Fretless – John Fremgen
Sub Keyboard – Dan Redner
Texas Performing Arts is the professional arts presenting and producing program of The University of Texas at Austin. One of the largest and most active university-based performing
arts centers in the U.S., Texas Performing Arts is an anchor institution in Austin’s arts, cultural, and entertainment landscape. Texas Performing Arts operates venues on the UT campus
including Austin’s largest theatre, the newly renovated Bass Concert Hall. Its public programs include Broadway in Austin; the Texas Welcomes series of national touring artists; and a curated
season of international dance, theatre, music and more. Texas Performing Arts is an integral unit of UT’s College of Fine Arts and engages thousands of students across the university every year.
In calendar year 2022, TPA sold 250,000 tickets serving as a popular gateway to campus.
Following a national search, Tony Award-winning producer Bob Bursey was appointed Executive and Artistic Director in January of 2020. Broadway Across America (BAA) is part of the John Gore Organization family of companies, which includes Broadway.com, The Broadway Channel, BroadwayBox.com, Group Sales Box
Office and Broadway Brands. Led by 20-time Tony-winning theater producer John Gore (Owner & CEO), BAA is the foremost presenter of first-class touring productions in North America,
operating in 48 markets with over 400,000 subscribers. Presentations include Disney’s The Lion
King, Wicked, The Book of Mormon, and Hamilton. Current productions include &Juliet, Hadestown, Hamilton, Kimberly Akimbo, MJ: The Musical and Moulin Rouge!
The Musical.
