A glittering tale of two unlikely magical friends has flown into St James Theatre for a muggle-packed green carpet launch that left this Wellington audience soaring high.

Wicked’s Tony award-winning prequel to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz stories centres around a magical friendship that started long before a girl in braids trailed the famous yellow brick road to Oz, as seen in the iconic movie adaption of the same name.

Inspired by L. Frank Baum’s original books, Wicked tells the story of two witches’ journey to the Emerald City and another intriguing destination – adulthood – where their friendship, love-lives and ethical choices test their wits along the way.

This stunning production by Capital Theatre Trust and G & T Productions is as ambitious as its characters, with a cast and crew of 100 needed to pull off the onstage and behind the scenes magic at the also magical venue of St James Theatre we are lucky to call home.

Elphaba and Galinda battle their teenage and worldly crises together, faced with looming darkness and suspicious characters leering around every corner. Do not fear for there are plenty of loveable characters to steer us right, with heart-stealer Nick Lerew as Fiyero, and the “beautifully tragic” Nessarose played by Anna Smith. Don’t forget the famous Lion, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow sneak a peak in – and the dynamic flying monkeys of course, choreographed by Wellington’s own talented Leigh Evans.

I am enchanted by this brilliant collaboration by director Grant Meese, Musical Director Kate Marshall, Evans and all of the massive team involved. I’m especially thrilled to see this heart-warming story come to life with stunning character performances by all the cast.

Heather Wilcock’s Elphaba is technically flawless, having performed the role twice previously in Christchurch and Auckland; she delivers all the heart and comedy we could desire. Heather’s harmonies and chemistry collude with all the characters and music onstage, as Elphaba braves the dangers that threaten her friends and the future of Oz.

Maya Handa Naff has so much fun pouncing around onstage in pink and sequins as Elphaba’s perky roommate Galinda that the audience can’t help but join in the fun. Every detail of Galinda‘s transformation to Glinda the Good, through body, voice, choreography and meticulously placed curls are noticeably impressive and stunning.

Watching diligently over Oz is our majestic and soulful Madame Morrible, played by Frankie Leota who, with an angelic voice, nurtures and guides the students of Shiz University towards her vision of what Oz should be.

Oz’s most celebrated Wizard, played by David Hoskins, has as much charm and wavy hair as a celebrity wizard could wish for, and I’m distracted in every scene of his by the beautiful wig work of wigs manager Amy McLennan and deputy Abi Johnson, who win against some fast turnarounds, and even gravity in the show.

Kevin Orlando steals the spotlight magnificently as heart-strewn Munchkin Boq – loyal, loving and always in suitably eye catching shiny costumes, complete with his heart on his sleeve.

It’s such a joy to watch Ben Emerson’s magical embodiment of Doctor Dillamond, played with heart, humour, and kindness. This is such a beautiful theme in the show that inspires us all to look out for one another, and step up when life demands it. Good teachers are more valuable than Oz gold and Doctor Dillamond quickly wins us over as our teacher we choose to fight for.

Whether you’re there for the magic, your favourite character, or the stirring Orchestra music with our favourite songs – including ‘Defying Gravity’, ‘Popular’, and ‘The Wizard and I’ to name a few – you will love and breathe in this show at a time when divisiveness is always present in the world.

I hope Wicked – The Untold Story of The Witches of Oz always finds its way home to Wellington, and with over 100 international awards under its show belt and performances around the world, it still deserves more. I’ll be humming every song for weeks to come, and will be back to see the show next week.

See you there witches!

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