Wicked is playing at the Regent Theatre, Melbourne, until June.

Tickets and further information can be found at wickedthemusical.com.au.

After ten years, Wicked has returned to Australian in this new production produced in Australia by John Frost for Crossroads Live Australia, Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone and directed by Lisa Leguillou with original direction by Joe Mantello.

Since its Broadway premiere in 2003, it quickly became a fan favourite among patrons. It has been seen by nearly 65 million people worldwide, been performed in sixteen countries and won over 100 major awards including a Grammy Award, six Helpmann Awards, the Olivier Award and three Tony Awards. As of 2023, Wicked is the fourth longest running Broadway show in history.

Act I centres on young Elphaba (later known as the Wicked Witch of the West) and Galinda (later known as Glinda the Good), as they try and navigate life at Shiz University under the tutorship of school headmistress, Madam Morrible (Robyn Nevin) and professor, Dr. Dillamond (Adam Murphy). Act II runs parallel with the events of The Wizard Of Oz from Elphaba’s point of view.

Wicked is based on Gregory Maguire’s novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (published by ReganBooks; Harper Collins), who was influenced by the 1939 film, The Wizard Of Oz, which itself was based on L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel, The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz.

Maguire stated, “I set out to tell [Elphaba’s] story from beginning to end. I wanted not so much to explain the Wicked Witch of the West as to deepen her mystery… I could not account for the Witch’s passion, nor did I want to: I merely wanted to heighten it.”

Wicked is more than a story about good and evil. As Galinda (Courtney Monsma) states during the opening number, No One Mourns The Wicked; “Are people born Wicked? Or do they have Wickedness thrust upon them?” Elphaba (Sheridan Adams) herself is a victim. She’s neither good nor bad, but neither is anyone else. Galinda starts off as the school bully, the admired Wizard of Oz (Simon Burke) is ultimately exposed as a fraud, mentors have ulterior motives and even Elphaba’s father rejects her in favour of her younger sister, Nessarose (Shewit Belay). Its these complexities that bring a humanity and relatability into this fantastical world.

Maguire, along with Stephen Schwartz (Music and Lyrics) and Winnie Holzman (Book), have created a layered “villain” that you empathise with and actively root for. Wicked is about friendship, love, stereotypes, expectations and standing up for what’s right even if it goes against the grain. It also cleverly weaves in the origins of the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion.

Melbourne’s ornate Regent Theatre is the perfect venue for Wicked. Set designer, Eugene Lee has utilised its vast scale, creating multiple stories of storytelling. Set, costume (by Susan Hilferty) and lighting work by Kenneth Posner work harmoniously to help immerse oneself into the magical Land of Oz. It works particularly well during One Short Day when the stage turns emerald green. Here Hilferty especially excels, expertly mixing and layering textures, prints and patterns. Even Elphaba’s all black outfits have depth and dimension, while Galinda’s enchanting gowns are just as bejewelled and bedazzled as one would expect.

If I had one minor complaint it is that the relationship between Elphaba and Fiyero (Liam Head) does feel slightly rushed, with even more development given to Nessarose and Boq (Kurtis Papadinis). The duet As Long As You’re Mine does seem to come out of nowhere. However, (and maybe it’s only because I’m biased being my favourite number,) the song allows Adams’ vocal maturity and lower register to shine.

Elphaba is a demanding role for any actress, let alone one making their leading role debut. While I would have enjoyed more gusto, Adams had settled into the role by Act II with No Good Deed being her standout. I’m sure she’ll continue to improve and it may have just come down to opening night jitters (which you could feel on Head too). What helps is that the strong chemistry between Adams and Monsma and, just like their characters, there’s obvious comradery.

Unlike the songs in The Wizard of Song, Wicked is modernised with catchy pop songs that keep the integrity of musical theatre. Adams’ vocals also soar during Defying Gravity as she truly rises to new heights in both sound and scale.

Other favourites include Monsma’s bubbly Popular, which will have you laughing in your seats, and it’s difficult not to be mesmerised during Dancing Through Life.

The talented cast is supported by an impressive ensemble including Christian Ambesi, Conor Bann-Murray, Brittany Carter, Olivia Castagna, Eli Cooper, Matt Cranleigh, Joseph Donovan, Sage Douglas, Bayley John Edmends, Todd Jacobsson, Rohan Khanna, Andrew Kroenert, Elisha Zion Lee, Jordan Malone, Emily Monsma, Matilda Moran, Jackson Reedman, Amelia Sanzo, Edward Smith, Ksenia Teliatnikova, Lucas Van Rhijn, Jessica Vellucci, Mietta White and Jun Woodfield.

Wicked first premiered in Melbourne in 2008, breaking box office records after raking in a $1.5 million in ticket sales in just one day after it opened on July 12th, starring Jemma Rix, Lucy Durack, Rob Mills and the late Bert Newton. It’s the perfect entry-level musical for any gender or age, although be advised there are dark moments which may frighten little children.

With its stellar performances, stunning visuals and poignant message, it is a theatrical experience that will stay with you long after the final curtain call.

It’s easy to see why Wicked is so, well, popular.

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Images by Jeff Busby (used with permission)