The blockbuster made its debut on Broadway in 2003 and has since brought its magic to audiences across the country. The show, based on the best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire, tells the story of Glinda, The Good Witch, and Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, long before a tornado whirled Dorothy and Toto into the Land of Oz.
Based on The Wizard of Oz, one would think the two were enemies. Not true. The girls met at sorcery school. Glinda, called GAlinda with an emphasis on GA in those days, struts into the school in true attention-getting style – think Legally Blonde – only to run into Elphaba, who is constantly taunted because of her emerald skin. After the two are paired as roommates, they eventually learn to appreciate each other and become best friends.
Unfortunately, their road to Oz doesn’t turn out as they planned. Misunderstandings and human flaws in a not-so-humane world test their friendship and their principles.
This prequel is crammed with tongue-in-cheek nudges to the classic story. Humor ranges from subtle to downright hilarious, especially when Glinda is in her element. Because it is such a pleasure to watch, some of the show’s messages may go unnoticed. At the heart of this show is the bond of two friends who learn that the line between good and evil can waiver in everyone.
While last night’s show was filled with solid performances, especially by Chris Peluso as Fiyero, a seemingly self-centered prince, and Marilyn Caskey who plays Madame Morrible, the head of school, the night belonged to Marcie Dodd (Elphaba) and Natalie Daradich (Glinda).
Backed by a standout ensemble, these two women raised the word “entertainment” to new heights. It is their stage and they shine on it. They may be witches in the show but they sing like angels. Their renditions of "Defying Gravity” and “For Good” will leave you breathless.
Both women are perfectly cast in their roles. Daradich brings a perspective to the ditzy role of Glinda that is both charming and comical. Her take on the lighthearted “Popular” is a crowd pleaser. Dodd is downright inspiring as the misjudged Elphaba. She draws you in from the moment she sets foot on stage.
A review of this production wouldn’t be complete without special mention of the lighting design by Tony- nominee Kenneth Posner and the whimsical, eye-catching costumes by Tony-winner Susan Hilferty.
WICKED is a bewitching sensation that will win your heart and hold you in its spell. It is the definition of incredible. Don’t miss out on this show.
WICKED runs through March 28 at Richmond’s Landmark Theater. Tickets start at $45 and are available at Richmond’s Landmark Theater box office at 6 N. Laurel St., online at Ticketmaster.com/wicked, all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling 1-800-745-3000.
Guilt-ridden about the piles at the office and the piles at home? Forgetting the little things like bills, birthdays, appoitments? Teetering on insanity?
Carol Evans, author of This Is How We Do It: The Working Mother’s Manifesto and CEO of Working Mother Media, will offer a reality check. Evans will speak tomorrow at the Greater Richmond Chamber’s Extraordinary Women’s Exchange at 11:30 a.m. at the Hilton Richmond Hotel and Spa at Short Pump Town Center. I caught up with her yesterday in between her staff meetings.
As a new working mother myself, I always feel like I don’t have it right. I’m constantly losing track of all the details at work and at home. With your years of experience, do you have one little nugget of advice that might help me?
Sure — one thing is to be really present when you're at home.
What do you think a working mother should ask from her company?
What women want more than anything else is flexibility in their jobs. You want to make sure that your company has — and if they don’t have this, you want to work on this — flexible work arrangements or a generous flex policy. Companies do flex in many different ways: They might have informal flex where everyone is allowed to take [it] with their manager’s permission or they might have very specific work arrangements they allow where you can flex your day, your week or your year. I think one of the things working mothers most love is being able to flex their day and their week so that they can go to the doctor, go to the school play, meet with the teacher and not have to make up an excuse about being sick in order to do that.
There’s always tension between working moms and those who stay at home. You have tons of experience talking to mothers about this issue — what insight can you offer?
I think it’s really important that we all recognize that it’s up to us as women to put a stop to the so-called “Mommy Wars” and to realize that a lot of it is fueled by a media who loves a fight. I recommend that working mothers and stay-at-home moms talk to each other and utilize each other in a way that can be helpful to each. For example, it’s obvious that a stay-at-home mom could pick up your kid from after-school care and drive him home and take care of him for an hour. … But what about what working moms can do for the stay-at-home moms? [You] could invite them into groups that you might be using for support, you could invite them to come to a conference or a lecture, or an event at your company.
What was your worst moment as a working mother?
My worst moments were always when my children were sick. Always, always, always. And I had some really nasty ones. My daughter had brain surgery [when she was 15], and my son [when he was 1] had brain surgery for different reasons. When you have those big emergencies, you get really clear about your focus — you get clarity. You don’t have to ask yourself what’s most important. It’s right there!
Tickets to
Let’s review.
I predicted that VCU’s Eric Maynor would be drafted in the NBA’s first round. He was selected by the Utah Jazz with the 20th pick. Maynor has since been traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
I also confidently wrote that Mike London would replace Al Groh as Virginia's head coach going into the 2010 football season. Remember folks, I said this back in November 2008. It came true, to the benefit of Cavaliers fans.
A NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory in Richmond had eluded Chesterfield native Denny Hamlin. Until last year, when I predicted Denny would join the winner's circle.
Admittedly, I really missed with my other two predictions. I said Richmond would not get a baseball team for two or three more years. Ooops. I also wrote that VCU would take steps toward fielding a football team. Absolutely nothing has been done yet.
Here’s my short list for 2010.
VCU superstar post Larry Sanders spurns the NBA and stays in school for his senior season. The move pays off as Sanders further hones his skills and becomes a top-5 pick in the league’s 2011 draft. He also leads the Rams to a Sweet 16 berth in the 2011 NCAA Tournament.
Behind the play of University of Southern California transfer quarterback Aaron Corp, the Spiders win the Football Championship Subdivision national championship in Latrell Scott’s first season, à la Mike London.
The Washington Redskins release Clinton Portis, trade Chris Cooley, re-sign Jason Campbell for one season and draft Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford and Stanford running back Toby Gerhart. Washington also focuses on building its offensive line and returns to the playoffs in 2010.
Now that he has won on his hometown track, Hamlin raises it up a level. He will become the next NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, taking the title away from four-time repeat winner Jimmy Johnson. Hamlin has the team and now the experience to be the best.
The name takes some getting used to, and the logo is ridiculously awful, but the Flying Squirrels have assembled quite a field staff led by manager Andy Skeels. Pitching coach Ross Grimsley and hitting coach Russ Morman were accomplished major leaguers. I predict much success for the team and the start of a beautiful relationship with the city.
Look in those eyes. Come on — just look in those puppy-dog and kitty-cat peepers and say you don’t want to take one of these furry little guys (or gals) home.
Of the 15 adoptable cats and dogs featured in our October slideshow, 12 are still available. So we’re gonna place a little guilt trip on you. But first a quick note: Zappa, the foxhound who appeared on the cover, has a sweet personality and is not interested in hunting or running off — contrary to common perceptions, says Linda Wickham of Hickory Hill Canine Rescue.
Still adoptable:
Baron, a 3-year-old foxhound, Hickory Hill (537-5502)
Maye, a 2-year-old Chow Chow, Richmond SPCA (521-1307)
Oakley, a mixed-breed dog, Hickory Hill
Bojangles, an 18-month-old dog, Hickory Hill
Mattie, a 4-year-old dog, Hickory Hill
Caymus, a 5-year-old Treeing Walker Coonhound mix, Richmond SPCA
Mary, a 1-year-old pastel tortie cat, Cat Adoption and Rescue Efforts (288-9797)
Victoria, a 1 1/2-year-old calico, CARE
Orchid, a 5-year-old shepherd mix, Richmond SPCA
Rina, a 4-year-old Bluetick Coonhound mix, Richmond SPCA
Romeo, a 2-year-old tabby, CARE
Zappa, a 2-year-old foxhound, Hickory Hill
We realize that pets are a big responsibility (many Richmond magazine staffers are owned by cats and dogs), but they also can be a great source of love and comfort. These guys need homes, so please think about it.
As the T-D's Melissa Ruggieri reported this morning, for this year's "12 Hours of Christmas" radiothon to benefit the greater Virginia chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, in addition to the regular crew at Lite 98 (Bill Bevins, Shelly Perkins, Kat Simons and Adam Stubbs), Clear Channel is bringing back four members of Q94's late-'90s on-air staff — Jeff Wicker, Betty Bodine, Kirby Carmichael and Billy Surf.
It all starts at 6 a.m. and runs for a baker's dozen of hours, finishing up at 7 p.m, with pledges taken all day. In addition, donations can be made online, and there's an online auction of items such as a disco ball autographed by Lady Gaga, a guitar autographed by Keith Urban, a poster autographed by Richmond's own Lamb of God and much more. According to Clear Channel's press release, they're hoping to raise the funds to grant 20 wishes this holiday season.
If you're looking for an example of the importance of the work Make-A-Wish does, look no further than the story of Charlotte Reynolds, a 4-year-old girl from Ashland who's spent the past year battling a malignant brain tumor. Charlotte and her parents just finished up a visit to Disney World sponsored by Make-A-Wish, and if anyone deserves a little fairy dust from the Magic Kingdom this season, it's the Reynolds family. It's also worth noting that Charlotte's parents, Roger and Rachel Reynolds, are working to establish a nonprofit, CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation, with the goal of offering financial support to families of children with chronic, life-threatening illnesses. Head on over to their Facebook page and become a fan, won't you?
