The end of 2022 came with a history making announcement for Wicked’s twenty-year (already?!) reign. Why? It was announced Alexia Khadime (The Prince of Egypt) and Lucy St. Louis (The Phantom of the Opera) would take over as Elphaba and Glinda respectively with Ryan Reid continuing as Fiyero, making it the first time all three leads are played by Black actors. Knowing how monumental this would be for the show, I immediately booked a ticket for their debut performance. Joined by Caitlin Anderson in her West End debut as Nessarose and Joe Thompson-Oubari graduating from understudy to principal Boq, how do the new cast fare for the 2023-2024 season?
Wicked 2023-2024 Cast
Cast
- Elphaba: Alexia Khadime
- Glinda: Lucy St. Louis
- Fiyero: Ryan Reid
- Nessarose: Caitlin Anderson
- The Wizard: Mark Curry
- Madame Morrible: Sophie-Louise Dann
- Boq: Joe Thompson-Oubari
- Dr. Dillamond: Simeon Truby
Rating: ★★★★★
What is Wicked about?
Based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, Wicked reveals so much happened before Dorothy entered Oz. Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West, real name Elphaba, met as students at Shiz University and became friends. Once invited to meet the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Elphaba discovers the truth about what’s happening to the animals, deciding to rebel and become the most feared figure in Oz.
What are my thoughts on the show?
I’ve seen Wicked six times over fourteen years, and each time has proved why the show remains spellbinding and thrillifying unlike others that can feel stale over time. Without sacrificing the spirit of the Wizard of Oz story a’la certain Disney live action remakes that try emulating the formula of turning card-carrying villains into misunderstood victims, this perspective flip explores how corrupt political figures can turn oppressed minorities into pariahs and scapegoats (gee, why does that sound familiar?).
Is Wicked faithful to Gregory Maguire’s original book? Given that the more gruesome and sexual elements are cut out, not really. Is it still fun and exciting? Absolutely. Stephen Schwartz’s music and lyrics remain catchy and memorable that give actors full rein to belt and riff their hearts out to Defying Gravity, No Good Deed and The Wizard and I to the point they have become the modern musical theatre norm. The late Eugene Lee’s spectacular set and Susan Hilferty’s costume designs immerse the audience into the land of Oz, filled with greens and purples used to amazing effect in One Short Day and No One Mourns the Wicked.
What is the new cast like?
It goes without saying Wicked’s casting history has left a lot to be desired in the diversity department until recently. Despite the show being about a character who is ostracised because of the colour of her skin, something many people of colour still face today, Alexia Khadime remains the only Black actress to play Elphaba full time (not the only ever as Saycon Sengbloh understudied the role on Broadway in 2005). While we’re now finally seeing women of colour play the role on Broadway and on tour, it was a very long time coming.
Seeing Alexia Khadime’s returning performance was special for me because I first saw Wicked in 2009, but with Khadime’s incredible standby Ashleigh Gray as Elphaba. I’m so grateful I was finally given the chance to see Khadime’s take on Elphaba fourteen years later and she completely blew me away. She felt so at home in the character that you wouldn’t believe it was over a decade since she last had green paint slabbed on her face, possessing a powerful voice that left the entire theatre gobsmacked (and my hands shaking).
While Glinda is upper class and blinded by its privileges, Winnie Holzman’s script never said she (or any character) had to be white. Much like Courtney Bowman as Elle in the Regent’s Park Open Air revival of Legally Blonde, Lucy St. Louis’ casting was a nice reminder that people judge Glinda for her blondeness, materialism and snobbery. While killing the operatic parts, St. Louis’ take was a masterclass in facial acting and acting through song, often making scenes other performers would’ve hammed up as sincere, even heartbreaking. Of course she showed off her comedic chops in Popular, but what I admired about St Louis was her ability to make Glinda’s evolution from act one into act two so natural.
Another newcomer is Caitlin Anderson as Nessarose, who did an amazing job in her shift from beautifully tragic and innocent to the cold and tyrannical Wicked Witch of the East. While much can be said about the ableist implications of Nessarose’s character arc over her frustrations of using a wheelchair that are magically solved, at least the upcoming two-part movie seems to finally be addressing them by casting an actress who uses a wheelchair, newcomer Marissa Bode. Alongisde Nessarose’s side (unwillingly) is Joe Thompson-Oubari’s sweet-natured Munchkin Boq.
I must also praise the remaining leads including Ryan Reid as Fiyero. I saw him last year and I still enjoy his smarmier take in his Shiz years before becoming a charming romantic lead for both leading ladies. Mark Curry brings humour and charisma as the Wizard while Sophie-Louise Dann is equal parts maniacal and manipulative as Madame Morrible.
What are my overall thoughts?
Wicked has seen this reckoning in casting for a long time coming and I’m glad the creatives have finally taken the steps in a meaningful way. None of this is to disparage other performers who I’ve seen and admire in the fourteen years I’ve been visiting Wicked, but with the COVID-19 pandemic allowing us to have those conversations surrounding diversity and representation, I think it frustrated people that it seemed to take a step backwards when it reopened post-lockdown.
With a story about injustice and corruption that remains relevant today, dazzling visuals and a phenomenal cast who make bring a new introspectiveness to their iconic characters, I think in some ways Wicked was ahead of its time when it first opened in 2003. All I hope with this and other castings across the West End allow performers of all genders, races and disabilities to be seen and respected instead of being accused of virtue signalling or ‘wokeness.’ Because let’s face it, not the whole world is white, able-bodied and cisgender.
With all of the above being said, coming back to Wicked again has made me more curiously excited for the two-part film.
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