There’s a Reason Girls Want to see Wicked

Girls want to see “Wicked” over and over again because in between flying monkeys, mob scenes and the big Oz machine is a story of friendship between two very different young women.

The show, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, is back in at the Cadillac Palace in Chicago, but only through January 23. The two women, Elphaba, the girl born green played by Jackie Burns, and Glinda, the blonde coed who always gets her way played by Chandra Lee Schwartz, are star quality from start to finish.

Whether in solo numbers, Glinda’s hilarious, “Popular‚” or Elphaba’s powerful, “No Good Deed‚” or in their final touching duet, “For Good,” they light up the stage with their voices and talent.

The supporting cast is formidable with Barbara Robertson as the hilarious Madame Morrible and Chicago actor Gene Weygandt as a genial Wizard. Fiyero, love interest of both Elphaba and Glinda, is the handsome Richard H. Blake and Stefanie Brown plays Elphaba’s sister Nessarose.

The pit musicians, conducted by P. Jason Yarcho, do justice to the graceful score. Lavish costumes, spectacular sets and stagecraft maintain the over-the-top standards of Broadway musicals today. But at heart, it is a story of how, despite our differences, friendships shape our lives. And that’s worth seeing again and again.

The Cadillac Palace Theatre is located at 151 W. Randolph in Chicago. For tickets, call the Broadway in Chicago ticket line, (800) 775-2000 or visit BroadwayInChicago.com

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