Superbly WICKED

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WIZOMANIA: The cast and dancers performing ‘One Short Day’.

THE 1995 novel – Wicked: The Life and Time of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire – is an untold story of the witches of Oz.

It is a revisionist look at the land and characters of Oz from L Frank Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, its sequels and the 1939 film adaption – The Wizard of Oz.

Unlike the Wizard of Oz, the novel was written for grown-ups and today, it has become an inspiration for the hit Broadway musical Wicked, acclaimed by The New York Times as one of the most successful shows in Broadway history.

First opened on Broadway in 2003, Wicked has since been the number one musical on Broadway, winning 35 major awards, including a Grammy and three Tony Awards.

Before Dorothy, two girls met in the Land of Oz. The one born with emerald green skin is smart, fiery, and misunderstood while the other is beautiful, ambitious, and very popular.

The story presents an eventful journey of how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch of the South.

Wicked is casting its spell at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, with the unbelievable performances by top-class Australian entertainers.

The musical, which features dragons, bubbles, beautiful lightings, intricate costumes, thrilling music and stunning physical production, is a night of fascination that leaves the audience wanting more. It’s a night to remember for both audience and actors alike.

Special experience

LEAD ROLE: The character Elphaba played by Jemma Rix – Photo by Jeff Busby.

Jemma Rix has been playing Elphaba for three and a half years already, and for her, having to do the show every night is not only a great experience but also something very special.

Despite her stage experience, she said it was still very challenging to prepare herself for the character every night.

“I think that’s because the role is very challenging as I still have to constantly fix and work things out. It’s not that I’ve already arrived and got it all. I think it still challenges me everyday. The show is so amazing and I’m lucky to be part of it and hold it up with both hands.”

To her, every night is a learning experience as she tries to grow as a performer.

Jemma hoped she could deliver much more on her character to the audience.

The Elphaba character has gone through a journey, a sad one for anyone to have gone through. Born green, Elphaba did not have a great relationship with her father and her character was judged very much by her skin colour.

“But what happened – she ended up becoming quite strong and she defied the wizard which I think is pretty special. I also get to fly – it’s pretty amazing.  She goes through a massive journey during the show,” she said.

Jemma believed her character would have been different if not born green.

“I don’t think she would have fought as hard as she had.  She would have a better relationship with her father and  things would be a lot more different.”

However, she felt her character would stand up for what she believed in whatever her skin colour.

Defying gravity

MAGICAL: (From left) Suzie and Jemma performing ‘One Short Day’.

Asked what was her most difficult part during the show, Jemma said ‘defying gravity’ – the closing of Act One.

Defying gravity is a wicked showstopper – it’s what the magical theatre is all about.

In this part, Jemma got to fly. For the audience, it was magic, for her, it was a big spectacle – and without a doubt, the song was very difficult to sing.

“In 2003, it was in America on Broadway. I got the album and I just sang it. Sometimes, my breath got taken away – it was pretty special for me,” she added.

Defying gravity was an unforgettable part of the show for co-star Suzie Mathers who played Glinda.

“It’s the most amazing part in theatre I have ever seen in my life with the lighting and the costume – and I’m pretty jealous of the Elphaba character,” she chuckled.

On her own role, Suzie said Glinda, despite the all-happy and popular character, had a huge journey herself.

Losing her lover, Fiyero, was one thing and keeping cool in the public face was another.

Her favourite part of the show was ‘Popular’ but in terms of emotion, she said it was the opening of Act Two where she had to perform a seven-minute song.

In the end, it was not just the memory of the play that the audience took home but also the lesson learnt from the beginning to the end.

Throughout the show, all the characters, at one point or another, underwent some changes and it was these transformations that would stay with the audience as they walked out of the auditorium.

Pointed out Jemma: “I think in life, people judge too quickly. You need to look deeper, really discover and learn about people before you judge. I think this is such an important message in life, and that’s what a lot of people take away from the show.”

LIVING THEIR DREAM: Jemma (left) and Suzie performing Popular.

Jemma who used to be a beauty therapist, said she had never thought of attaining in her present position.

“To be part of this is really magical. I really do appreciate it.  I don’t take anything for granted because I never thought I would be able to land a job in a musical.”

She advised those pursuing their dreams to keep going and have passion in everything they did.

The other actors in the show are Bert Newton (the wizard), David Harris (Fiyero) Anne Wood (Madame Morrible), Glen Hogstrom (Doctor Dillamond), Elisa Colla (Nessarose), and James D Smith (Boq).

Wicked the musical ends at Marina Bay Sands on April 22.