Something Wicked(ly) good this way comes .....

I suspect that I'm one of those few has not encountered Wicked before, well in its current musical form anyway. I'm familiar with the film version of the classic L. Frank Baum novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz that MGM delivered in Technicolour to theatre Screens across the globe, as the Wizard of Oz. 

I'm not sure why I hadn't taken the opportunity to see it on the many times I had been in Sydney or Melbourne when I could have caught up and yet here I was, walking out of Tuesday's Griffith Regional Theatre Community production preview dumbstruck and teary eyed, this is a such an impressive story and show, wondering how I missed it.

Griffith Regional Theatre's Community production of Wicked, (The Musical) has reached a new benchmark in quality theatre productions. Wicked sets a new standard for the community in the professionalism and standard we see on and off stage. Once upon a time community productions were classed as amateur theatre, never quite at the same level as your big city major theatrical productions with professional cast, technicians and musicians. But this production under the stewardship of Don Hillam and his production is beyond brilliant, in fact its breathtaking.

The key players are Raina Savage and her team at the Griffith Regional Theatre for creating the opportunity to produce the show, Director, Don Hillam; Musical Director, Matthew Segrave; Vocal Director, Deanna Farnell, Choreography Michelina Di Salvatore, Production Manager, Heath Neville together they have taken the Stephen Schwartz music and lyrics and the book by Winnie Holzman, based on the original novel and coaxed out of the performers on stage something that is quite magical and transportive.

As I said, Wicked (The Musical) is an unknown to me, its certainly has lots of references to the Baum story and even the costumes resemble some of those in the film, but it also comes from different stock, based on Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West a novel published in 1995 by Gregory Maguire (a long time after Baum's original The Wonderful Wizard of Oz published in 1900). Written as a commentary on nature of good and evil from a political, social, and ethical perspective and takes place in the Land of Oz, in the years leading to Dorothy's arrival. It certainly a story that fits our time, where celebrity and sameness are all powerful and seductive, how it corrupts and blinds us to truth and good and where difference is seen with distain or to be feared.

As the blurb tells is Wicked tells the untold story of the unlikely friendship between two girls who first meet as sorcery students at Shiz University: the blonde and very popular Galinda and a misunderstood green girl named Elphaba.

I realise now why this is such a popular show because the story is able to provide a commentary on our own struggles with good and evil and what is happening across our planet now. It also takes a narrative we nearly all are familiar with and gives it another more darker life, and we seem to be taken with stories that aren't quite as they appear on the surface.

But back to this production, its big, (actually its huge,) a massive production crew and cast have slaved for months on this and that work has paid off. Hillam is well known for his high production value shows, and this is no different and in fact has given him and his team even more special effects and space to work with, and they waste not one opportunity to dazzle us.

Flying witches, monkeys, stunning light and sound design, costumes that dazzle your eyes, voices that stir your heart and bring tears to your eyes and the choreography that makes you wonder why we travel to the big cities to see some of these shows, when we have the capability to bring to life here. 

The Stage is set for Opening night of Wicked (The Musical)

The theatre auditorium itself is transformed so it is part of the set, and wow what a stage design, Heath Neville and his crew have been busy creating an outstanding and complex set design, using sets pieces hired in especially, and also creating their own, it looks and works incredibly well and supports the cast to weave this story. John Matkovic's lighting design is a cast member in itself, setting the mood for each scene and also helping to create amazing illusions that will leave you gobsmacked, and to top all this off with have Mark Macedone and his sound design. Just check you have your umbrella when it rains.

Matthew Segrave as head of the music team has to bring to life a score which is very cinematic and complex, he does this superbly with he very able and talented small orchestra who really add to this production. Its live, they play continuously for nearly 150-160 minutes, while above them the players dance, sing and carry the story forward. It was a magic performance by them.

No matter what you say a show only really works if the cast make the magic happen. This cast are incredibly strong and I believe this a result of an increasing focus on performance arts, identifying and developing new talent and providing great platforms to expose them to the wider audiences, then enables this ensemble to make magic.

Deanna Farnell and Simone Crossley as our lead protagonists on stage are perfectly matched, delivering performances which are astoundingly good. The second act blew me away and "For Good" had me in tears. Deanna and Simone you were both perfection and match the best of Broadway, or London, in fact anywhere.

Now while the two witches had a lot of stage time, they were supported by a team that gives it's all and more. With Jack Martin, Jenny Ellis (I didn't know she could be so evil), Elena Turunen, John Martin, Connor Close and the full ensemble who all deliver while ever they are onstage. They dance, and sing like this is the very last performance and that what made this preview so much more enjoyable. They have also worked very hard since last December on what is a very complex show, lots of costume changes, set changes and also a hole in the stage that must be avoided at all costs :).

I could carry on, and write more, but its your turn, I would only spoil your experience and that I won't do. But I do urge you to not miss this production. Its a great theatre, comfy seats, warm and cosy, stunning sound, great view of the stage where ever you are seated, plus no overnight accommodation to pay for, no air ticket or parking space to fork out for and you get to see a world class production. Whats not to like about that.

Tissues are a must. Congratulations Wicked (the Musical) Griffith Community Production you are amazing.

Griffith Regional Theatre from 21 June through to 1 July, the show is rated G (for Great)

Look I know you rarely mention the sponsors of a show like this in a review, but can i just say that shows like this don't just magically appear and get paid on a credit card, they actually require support to help fund the production, so Griffith Regional Theatre (Griffith City Council) and Club CRE (Griffith Real Estate) who are co presenters are to be commended on this investment in the arts.