Show: Wicked (Broadway Across Canada)

Venue: Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium 11455 — 87 Avenue

Dates: Until July 20

Tickets: $35 to $155 through Ticketmaster

Length: 2 hours 45 minutes

While the subtitle for Wicked is "The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz", after a decade on Broadway, the musical has woven its way into culture in a huge way.

Wicked, based on the book by Gregory Maguire, follows the life of Elphaba — the Wicked Witch of the West — and Glinda — the Good Witch — before, during and after that girl from Kansas (and her little dog, too) drop into the land of Oz.

At the outset the question is asked, why does wickedness happen?

Glinda and Elphaba's stories intersect from two completely different upbringings, as two very different people. Glinda is a popular blonde-haired beauty who always gets her way, while Elphaba grows up as a green-skinned shame from a broken home.

The Good Witch, played by Kara Lindsay, is as bubbly as her mode of transport (she enters on a flying bubble) — well-intentioned, but often air-headed, as showcased in the song "Popular."

Elphaba (Laurel Harris) delivers deadpan responses as an outcast shunned by her peers

The leads have beautiful voices perfect for a tale set in an imaginary world, while the swelling harmonies of the other citizens pack a sonic punch.

Joining the live orchestra are nine Edmonton musicians.

Madame Morrible is the headmistress of Shiz University, where the two meet and become roommates. In Thursday's production, Kathy Fitzgerald gave a formidable performance, though it should be noted Jody Gelb is scheduled for the remainder of the shows.

Beyond the main story arc are themes of indoctrination and authoritarianism, animal welfare and other political commentaries.

Oh, and there's a love triangle to boot.

While Elphaba remains mysterious as a character, so many questions from the Wizard of Oz are answered. What's the deal with the lion, the tin man and the scarecrow? Why are the flying monkeys? Flying monkeys? Why does the Wicked Witch want those shoes so bad?

So often the cast takes all the glory, but I would be remiss if I did not heap praise on the designers of the set, costumes, special effects and lighting.

The Clock of the Time Dragon was the inspiration for the set design and a fearsome dragon opens the production as the map of the world with a glittering Emerald City at its centre fades away.

Being transported to the imaginary world takes no effort with gears and cogs, smoke and mirrors.

Other productions have featured fly systems and fog machines, but all the special effects combined with truly inspired light design makes for a magical visual experience.

No, really, the lighting must have been the work of some spell.

The costumes and wigs are works of art unto themselves. From opulent gowns to grotesque (although impressively acrobatic) flying monkeys, the pieces belong as much in a museum preserved forever as they do on stage. Each Ozian — from the metropolitan Emerald City dwellers to the pitchfork carrying mob members — is given distinct looks with meticulous details that could be missed if you should blink during the scene changes.

The one gripe I have with the production was, at times, the volume of the live orchestra overpowered the vocals.

Whether you've seen it before, or you've just heard about it, buy a ticket and catch the spectacle.

Wicked is playing at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium July 20.

catherine.griwkowsky@sunmedia.ca

@SunGriwkowskyC