The angle of “Wicked” is that the Wicked Witch of the West is not so wicked (or terrifying) after all. But do you know what is still terrifying from the 1939 classic film? Flying monkeys.
And, yep, they’re all over the stage at times in all their MGM glory, with that horrifying monkey-turkey sound.
Spectacular set design marks this much-beloved Broadway 2004 Tony-winning musical, as in other productions, and the look is finished off with an ominous dragon fixed above the stage. The show is at The Paramount Theatre until July 7. (Details here, including how to get a shot at $25 tickets.)
Glinda the Good Witch's ball gowns dazzle in a rainbow of colors — and as a former owner of a 1970s Glinda doll, I heartily approved. It was a delight to watch this reimagined “Galinda,” who isn’t as wonderful as the Munchkins would have you think. Both the so-called good witch and the so-called bad witch are stunning vocalists, sounding operatic at times.
"It was good," said the 12-year-old co-reviewer in attendance, though he still prefers the recent classic "Hamilton." (Note to readers: The offspring could only be persuaded to see the movie twice, partly because of those creepy flying monkeys. Meanwhile, the parent in attendance was reared on audio recordings and annual TV viewings of the Margaret Hamilton/Billie Burke masterpiece.)
My one criticism is that I pined for the signature "I'll get you my pretty!" cackle from the old film, but the brilliant reinvention of Glinda as a holier-than-thou, narcissistic prom queen was a pretty fair trade.
Smaller kids might be frightened by the visit to the Wizard, which managed to be as eerie as it was to me as a kid seeing the movie for the first eight times.
The theater recommends the production for ages 8 and older. Children younger than 4 years old are not allowed.
