Los Angeles first encountered Wicked the Musical in 2005 when it broke box office 
records. It returned two years later for an extended run that lasted two years. Now, Wicked is back at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, and it is so powerful that the magical spell that is casts on everyone will never be broken. Unlike the movie, The Wizard of Oz, this musical takes us back to a time before Dorothy arrived. It is a brilliantly imaginative back story that explains how Elfaba came to be the Wicked Witch of the West, starting with the conception that led to her being born green. It follows her relationship with Glinda after they meet at school and a misunderstanding lands them as hostile roommates who eventually become lifelong friends. The mysteries of how there came to be a Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Cowardly Lion are revealed, as well as how the flying monkeys got their wings. With elaborate sets and costumers, memorable songs in the score, just the right amount of sentimentality in the plot line, a entire cast that was mesmerizing, and a balanced mixture of singing and spoken dialogue, the hit Broadway musical created a recognizably Wicked world.
As the perfect backdrop for the show, the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles was breathtaking. Upon entering, I knew I was in Hollywood. The scarlet red and gold décor was spectacular and there wasn’t a bad, or empty, seat in the house.
The entire cast of the musical is nothing short of amazing! The tone and pitch of the singing
and the choreography in the dancing was untouchable. The cast truly brought the story of Oz to life, and it was wicked! Katie Rose Clarke beautifully played the role of Glinda and was one of the highlights of the performance. Her overly dramatic movements reminded me of a Saturday Night Live character and had me laughing with delight most of the production. Kevin McMahon is entertaining as the wonderful Wizard of Oz. The superbly talented Mamie Parris does a great job of interpreting the varied emotions of the unlikely green heroine and her phenomenal voice rung throughout the entire theatre.
The elaborate set and costumes are only a piece of the blocks that complete this yellow-brick-road of success! Make-up designs ensure that these characters are developed down to a art form. The special effects that lit up the stage were unbelievable. Every piece of the production reiterates why Wicked is getting such rave reviews. With a giant dragon protruding from above a stage strewn with cogs and wheels, a mechanical floating bubble to carries Glinda, and the blinking lights of the giant golden head, the set was fantastic.
Based on the best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked brings lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman. The musical staging is done by none other than the Tony Award winner Wayne Cilento, and Eugene Lee, with three Tony Awards of his own, was the scenic designer. The entire production is directed by the 2003-2004 Tony Award winner Joe Mantello.
With a running time of 2 hours and 45 minutes, this production is recommended for ages 8 and up, but I have no doubt that anyone who attends will be impressed with this visual spectacle. After all, it has a brain, a heart, and the courage of a lion.
Bucket List Publications 
Oh! I have wanted to see this for YEARS!!! Went to Chicago a couple of years ago, and opted to see The Color Purple instead of this. Next time it comes to Atlanta, I will definitely be in the house.
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I really want to see this, but would have to travel to a bigger city that has it in town. Give me an excuse to travel and check out the big city lights:) Thanks for sharing and Have a Great Weekend!
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It is worth the trip! Both my husband and I loved every second of the musical and I’d pay to see it again.
Enjoy your weekend and thanks for reading,
Lesley
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I saw this in San Francisco a couple of years ago and absolutely loved it.
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I am so putting this on my list to-do when we get back stateside… !
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Great review…thanks….will try to catch it, although living in Podunk means that is a road trip! Okay!! Win-win
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I’ve seen this twice in the UK and have added wanting to see it a third time to My Bucket List. It really is Wicked, never will watch The Wizard of Oz in the same way again.
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Hi,
Sounds like a great Musical, and the costumes look fantastic, certainly does look like a fun show to go and see.
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I never saw the show, but I LOVED the book! I thought it was so clever! One of my favorites.
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I saw the show in 2010 in Rochester, New York. It was amazing! I’d love to see it again though. Glad you got to experience it in Hollywood. Great blog post!
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I saw Wicked in London in 2009 and loved it, I would definitely watch it again! A truly brilliant piece, moving and fun, with gorgeous scenery. My favourite song from the set is ‘Defying Gravity’ 🙂
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My sister saw this and said it was really a great show. Since I love all things fantasy, this is something I think would be most enjoyable. Love the pictures!
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Love, love , love Wicked! While visiting my son at Berkeley, I treated us to the show in San Francisco- mind-blowingly (is that a word?) good!
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I loved the twist in roles 🙂
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Fabulous show! You can never watch the original Wizard of Oz again and think of it in the same way.
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It was so much fun reading this – I have always wanted to see Wicked, and now I want to see it even more. 🙂
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We saw Wicked back in May at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in London’s West End. I wrote one of my very first blog posts on it all those months ago (http://mathewgillings.wordpress.com/2011/05/29/wicked/). Fantastic review and I thank you for “liking” one of my posts so I could find your page! 🙂
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I loved this play. I’d really like to see it again.
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I got to see this in New York a few years ago; would love to see it again; great review; thanks for bringing back the memories.
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love theatre-it’s been a while- set design and lighting in Oz 2 and 3 is great! I live in Alberta and enjoyed your Jasper photos and visited the Maritimes as well many years ago-appreciate the beauty right across the country.your adventurous spirit is contagious. Many happy blessings to your family. 🙂
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I have always wanted to see this show. I have only heard the best things about it. 🙂
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Geez. I have the book. Now I ABSOLUTELY must read it! After that, I hope a stage presentation comes to my area. Thanks for this wonderful review.
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Although there is nothing like seeing it in person, I’d recommend reading the book. It’s a unique, surprising story 🙂
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This is one of my absolutely favorite musicals ever. The score and story are exceptional and the questions it raises about good and evil-epic. If you get a chance to see Wicked, it’s a must.
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Great post. Wicked is one of my favorite Musicals.
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Thanks for your like on my post 🙂 I saw Wicked last year when I was visiting Sydney. It was sensational. Highly recommended it to all my friends.
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I missed it when it was here in Pittsburgh. Will make sure I see it if it comes this way again. Loved your post and photos. Thanks for sharing.
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This Christmas my husband gave me tickets to see it in February and I am so excited! I’ve read the book and loved it. Would you say it was appropriate for a mature 10 year old?
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I have a 10 year old sister and I was thinking how much she would have loved it. I wish I could have taken her with us to see it.
🙂
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Wicked is the reason why I’m a Musical-Freak/Addict, have seen this musical a way to often (in Stuttgart, London, New York, Oberhausen… You see I’m a freak) 🙂
So excited to see it in Denver this year again.
Glad that you like it
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Hah! Same idea here! Musical love! ❤
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What a fun blog and a lovely entry! I too love Wicked… so much that I’ve seen it three times already, twice in London in 2011 (both during biz trips) and the 1st time in 2009 in San Antonio. There’s something otherworldly about Wicked with British accents (the Wizard is played by an American while the other castmates are from the UK). We just moved to Germany and I’m wondering if it may be too much for my 3 yr old…
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I don’t think your 3 year old will get the little jokes but I do think it could be entertaining regardless. Besides, kids are never too young to experience great fine arts.
🙂
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Half the globe away… and we are watching the same musical! Wicked is now showing in Singapore too! I’ve watched it in Sydney two years back, and am going to watch the Singapore run tomorrow!
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I wonder how they are comparatively? Is it always in English?
Let me know what you think.
🙂
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I love the show i watched here in Singapore more than the one in Sydney. They are both Aussie casts, but somehow I enjoy it more the second time round. The first time, I was so wow-ed by the set, the production. But this time, I chill more and enjoy the jokes and songs better.
The theatre in Singapore physically is not as nice as the one you posted! But the sound was good. And yes, most productions here in Singapore are in English. 🙂
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I’m actually going to be out in LA next week and was looking for something to do. This just might be added to the list! Thanks!
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Great review- I’ll take my wife if it comes to our area. I have recently rethought the whole Wizard of Oz after reading this article and now think that Dorothy was actually the bad guy in this story: http://www.cracked.com/article_18417_9-famous-movie-villains-who-were-right-all-along.html
Just a little change in perspective can clarify a lot of things!
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Saw this in SF and it was great! Definitely one I would go to again. Great post!
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On my wish list for sure!!
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I’ve wanted to see this since it first came out. Thanks for the reminder! I think I will read the book too! 🙂
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We saw this play a few years back in NYC. I never really liked the movie but I absolutely adored this play. Maybe my favorite one that I have seen.
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This has definitally become a must-need-to-watch musical for me!
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I saw this in Melbourne Australia and loved it! Recommended it to everyone I know. I really like the songs and how the characters developed!
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have been wanting to see this for years. I live in Florence, Italy but visit my Mum in London every year.This has to be next on the list.
http://www.wordpress.pierotucci.com
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I saw this last year in London, at The Apollo, and it was superb. I was lucky enough to be part of a singing group at that time and we were performing a medley from the show. Unfortunately, I had to miss the actual performance due to illness but I still adored singing the songs in the rehearsals….I intend to go and see the show again, it is absolutely spell-binding!
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this was one of my favorite shows!!!!!!!!
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I love, LOVE Wicked! I saw it once, and I’m desperate to see it again!
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I love Wicked, it’s one of my favorite musicals! Too bad I don’t live in LA anymore 😦
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I loved Wicked. I just read your other post about romance being alive in a way you appreciate and last year my man surprised me with Wicked tickets for my birthday. There’s nothing like a man willing to sit through a musical with you to show you how much he loves you (and I think he loved it as well).
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Oh my gosh I loved the show when it came to Tucson! I’d see it again in a heart beat! It was just wonderful and the cast of was out of this world talented and wonderful! It also was cool that someone in one of my online classes was in the cast. So it was cool to “meet” that person in the show. Such a good show!
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My husband and I saw Wicked in Chicago and loved it! Wicked and The Lion King are my two favorite theatre performances so far!! We actually saw The Lion King at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood and you’re right, it’s a great theater.
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I saw Wicked for the first time on Broadway, and when it came to Shea’s Theater in Buffalo, I knew I had to see it again…and it was just as good. I LOVE that show! Thanks for a good review.
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I saw this back in 2008 and it’s coming back to the southeast late Spring this year – I want to go see it again so bad! It was the first Broadway musical I’d ever seen and it surely set the bar very high. I thoroughly enjoyed your excellent review. 🙂
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How I wished they’d bring a broadway play to Dubai… I’ll definitely splurge on it…
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I saw it in Sydney (Oz!) and totally agree, it’s an awesome show.
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I saw this in Sydney and loved it! The sets and voices of the performers were outstanding.
Thanks for liking my post.
x
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