Wicked musical is currently showing in Oklahoma City and continue through September 22, 2013 at the Civic Center Music Hall. It’s the show that helped make Oklahoma’s own Kristen Chenoweth a star.
News 9’s Adrianna Iwasinski and photojournalist Cody McDonell were given a behind-the-scenes tour, and were able to interview the actress Hayley Podschun, who plays Glinda, the good witch.
“I’m originally from Kansas so being back in the Midwest is like being back at home, said Hayley Podschun. “So I really have enjoyed the Oklahoma City crowd.”
Wicked musical will run through Sunday, September 22, 2013. From here the touring company moves to Little Rock, AR where it will play at Robinson Center Music Hall from September 25 to October 06, 2013.
‘Wicked’ entertains with flourish and heart in Oklahoma City stop – Reviewed BY JOHN BRANDENBURG For The Oklahoman
It was a little hard to tell what a wild and delightfully twisted tale — loosely based on “The Wizard of Oz” — signified, in a staging of the musical “Wicked” at Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker.
But for most audience members, it was enough to be along for the razzle-dazzle, special effects-enhanced ride, even on a broomstick, during Thursday’s Celebrity Attractions version of the hit Broadway show.
Telling the story in flashback was the “good” witch Glinda, shortened from Galinda, played with the right “trying too hard to be liked” qualities by Hayley Podschun, although her high-pitched voice at times made her hard to hear.
Held aloft on a glitzy prop, Podschun as Glinda, got the ball rolling, joined by lavishly costumed citizens of Oz in a rousing version of “No One Mourns the Wicked,” at the beginning of Acts 1 and 2.
But it was her friendship of opposites with the green-skinned “bad” witch Elphaba, portrayed with at first low-key but steadily gathering power and panache, by Jennifer DiNoia, which fueled the high octane production.
Humorously disarming were Galinda’s attempts to teach Elphaba how to be “Popular” in act one, while a late number in which they realize they have changed each others lives “For Good” was memorable and moving.
The same might be said of DiNoia’s touching “I’m Not That Girl,” a song directed at Fiyero, the man they both love, which turns into her deeply felt love duet with him, “As Long As You’re Mine,” in act two.
DiNoia reached her greatest literal and figurative heights, however, while she was “Defying Gravity,” brandishing her broom, in the nearly showstopping ode to personal empowerment which closed Act 1.
