What makes a musical good? A show can leave the audience speechless or make them rise to their feet with thunderous applause. It can elicit any number of emotions. But what aspect of the performance really spawns these emotions: the acting, directing, staging, script, all of the above? "Wicked" at the Pantages may be able to shed some insight.

Directed by Joe Mantello and written by Stephen Schwartz (music and lyrics) and Winnie Holzman (book), Wicked gives a thrilling performance. The acting is lovable and quite enjoyable, and both the directing and staging are well-orchestrated. Yet with such wonderful and caring hands molding this production, there seems to be something missing. The script does not live up to the rest of the production. "Wicked" is a Tony award winning play and this production is filled with great performers and designers, but does it blow the audience away?

"The Wizard of Oz" was first published in 1900, and in 1939 the much beloved film adaptation featuring Judy Garland first hit theaters. The lovely story of Dorothy being swept away to a mysterious and dreamlike world full of talking animals, Munchkins, and witches, "The Wizard of Oz" has found its way into millions of hearts over its long existence. With songs such as “Somewhere over the Rainbow” and “We’re off to see the Wizard,” the film is an unforgettable classic.

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"Wicked" plays homage to "The Wizard of Oz" rather well, including some famous lines and important characters, which makes for a fun and fond remembrance. Though this also creates a lot of confusion as the play progresses and begins to call into question events from the original film. The script sets a world where both "Wicked" and "The Wizard of Oz" coexist, but as the second act begins, large discrepancies between the two emerge. The Tin-Man and Lion appear to be in two places at once, both rioting with the Munchkins and walking the yellow brick road with Dorothy. Other characters, including the Scarecrow, appear in places where they could not possibly be if the events are truly coinciding between both shows.  Perhaps subtle, these distinctions create questions that will not be answered over the course of the play. 

The show in its whole has a juvenile feel to it that while fun for younger audiences, does not connect as well to adults. Some of the jokes feel forced, and moments of compassion don’t have the same punch as they would if the rest of the show took a similarly dramatic tone. The musical sticks primarily to the book "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West," by Gregory Maguire. Both the musical and the book have a similar comedic tone that varies largely from the thematic and symbolic story by Lyman Frank Baum. A comedic tone is a fine choice, especially for modern audiences, but it does take away a bit of the edginess that the world of Oz should contain. Instead of embracing the hidden cruelty of Oz, "Wicked" creates obscure political motivations for its characters that never fully make sense.

In contrast to the script, the Pantages’ production of "Wicked" is exceptional. The musical presents two strong female leads who contrast and complement one another stupendously. Chandra Lee Schwartz (Glinda) and Emmy Raver-Lampman (Standby for Elphaba) both give terrific and powerful performances. Chandra Lee Schwartz plays a ditzy Glinda who contains an inner strength that organically shines through. Emmy Raver-Lampman performs Elphaba with a shy but rebellious zest that causes for the stage to tremble beneath her as she opens up to the world. Nick Adams (Fiyero) and Kim Zimmer (Madame Morrible) also give wonderful performances, and with an ensemble that beautifully compliments, the production excels.

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The staging and direction are both thrilling and overwhelming, in a good way, with their impact. Really giving the Land of Oz a fresh feel that pays honor to what came before while also paving its own path. The costuming (designed by Susan Hilferty) and makeup pulls the whole show together to create an immersive experience, while mixing great lighting (designed by Kenneth Posner) and sets that create the morbid and enchanting world of Oz. Walls loom over the audience with cogs and gears in full view, while a mechanical dragon lurks center stage. This grandiose set creates a whirling sense of just how magical the play’s reality is. Raising the production to a higher level and making songs such as “Defying Gravity” burst from the stage.

Does Wicked blow audiences away? In many ways it depends on what the purpose of theatre even is. If a play is simply meant to entertain then "Wicked" succeeds, but if a show is supposed to do something more, well, then it may have missed its mark. This production of "Wicked" is a great reminder of why musical theatre is spectacular. It may not contain the deepest or most meticulously thought out script, but it provides a lot of laughs and thrilling moments. The whole cast and production team have really outdone themselves with this experience. A must see for any fan of "The Wizard of Oz," theatrical connoisseur, or teenage girl who loves “Popular,” "Wicked" at the Pantages makes for an excellent outing.