WICKED Returns to Kansas City, Very Much Alive
WICKED’s opening scene has the ensemble singing, “Good news! She’s dead!” Elphaba may be dead, but the extravagant mega-musical is very much alive. It returns to Kansas City with beautiful sets, dazzling lighting and great music. WICKED will run Aug. 12 through 30 at the Music Hall with 24 performances.
The national tour of the Broadway blockbuster promises to delight audiences, whether this is their first or fifth time to enjoy the musical. The cast includes Aline Mayagoitia as Elphaba, Claudia Bennett as Glinda, Susan Cella as Madame Morrible, Pablo Laucerica as Boq and Cristina Sastre as Nessarose.
The current cast already has received strong reviews. Play Off the Page called Mayagoitia and Bennett “outstanding,” praising Mayagoitia’s commanding voice and Bennett’s playful stage presence. The Stages of MN said Bennett “gets the humor just right” and praised the power and passion Mayagoitia brings to “Defying Gravity.”
If you are not familiar, WICKED is the tale of two very different women who form an enduring friendship. Elphaba is born with emerald-green skin. She is smart, fiery, misunderstood and possesses an extraordinary talent. Glinda is a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular. Their relationship evolves from loathing to learning to loving. Glinda initially gets the guy, creating another conflict between the two. The musical’s themes of friendship, prejudice, identity and judging people by appearances are easy for audiences to recognize in their own lives.
The musical is filled with flashy visuals, fantastic performances, haunting music and terrific choreography. Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire and a book by Winnie Holzman, the production has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. The production is directed by Tony Award winner Joe Mantello, with musical staging by Tony Award winner Wayne Cilento.
WICKED is the fourth-longest-running show in Broadway history and is now in its 23rd year on Broadway. People may be counting how many times they have seen WICKED, but hearing “Defying Gravity” as Elphaba rises into the air with her cape fluttering remains breathtaking. No matter how often you see this musical, you will walk away with a new sense of adoration.
For musical fans, WICKED is very much alive.
For more information, visit WickedTheMusical.com.
Music Hall
301 W. 13th St.
Kansas City, MO 64105
WICKED will play Tuesdays through Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 1 and 6:30 p.m. There also will be a 1:30 p.m. matinee Thursday, Aug. 13. An ASL-interpreted performance is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22.
Performances run Aug. 12 through 30. Tickets are available at BroadwayInKC.com and Ticketmaster.com.
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