THEATER REVIEW: Witchy women start in State Fair musical

11:10 PM CDT on Saturday, October 8, 2005

By LAWSON TAITTE / The Dallas Morning News

At Wicked, you haven't come to see the Wizard. Dorothy is just a figure glimpsed briefly in silhouette. It's all about that black-garmented, green-complexioned Witch of the West.

Stephanie J. Block soars across the stage in a vortex of crossed spotlights, bouncing her high notes off the rafters. You won't forget her. The hit Broadway show opened as the Dallas Summer Musicals' State Fair offering on Friday. (It took two extra days to erect the massive, award-winning set, and a preview further delayed the usual Tuesday first night.)

The intricate physical production was worth the wait. Eugene Lee – well remembered from his days at Dallas Theater Center – has created perhaps his most elaborate scenic design, and it made the trip in all its cast-iron and emerald-glittering glory.

Composer Stephen Schwartz and librettist Winnie Holzman based the show on Gregory Maguire's novel. This prequel to the Oz stories concentrates on the young woman, Elphaba, who grows up to be the Wicked Witch of the West – though really she's just a disappointed, disgruntled liberal. Another sorcery student, Galinda, starts out making fun of Elphaba but eventually befriends her. As the adult Glinda, they become estranged.

Ms. Block played Elphaba in the show's early workshops, and you can only wonder why she didn't get the chance to create the part on Broadway. In this national tour, she sings with refined power and acts with telling subtlety. You don't want her off the stage for a minute.

The role of Galinda was tailor-made for Kristin Chenoweth. Kendra Kassebaum here steps out of her shadow by opting for broader physical comedy and, refreshingly, a less arch manner. She comes off as a slightly chubby blend of Shirley Temple and Mary Catherine Gallagher in the first act, a young Bernadette Peters in the second.

The supporting cast holds up the side. Carol Kane steals her short scenes as the commanding teacher, Madame Morrible. As the Wizard, David Garrison makes "Wonderful" a wonderful number. Jenna Leigh Green is winning, then forbidding, as Elphaba's sister. Derrick Williams doesn't quite get the desired lift out of Fiyero's "Dancing Through Life" – but the tune stays with you anyhow.

E-mail ltaitte@dallasnews.com

Wicked

Wicked, presented by the Dallas Summer Musicals, at Fair Park Music Hall through Oct. 23. Runs 170 min. $32 to $74. Ticketmaster at 214-631-2787 or www.ticketmaster.com.