KMK: Wicked Seoul

When you think of Seoul the theater is probably the last thing that comes to mind. You might find it surprising then that in the last few years several big name shows have had successful runs here. Cats, Phantom of the Opera, and Chicago all wowed musical loving Seoulites. The latest musical production to arrive is the immensely popular Broadway smash Wicked Seoul.

Wicked, based on the book of the same name by Gregory Macguire, tells the untold story of Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) and her unlikely friendship with Glinda the Good. The musical opens with the citizens of Oz celebrating the death of the Wicked Witch with only Glinda oddly not participating in the festivities. When one of the citizens demands to know if the rumor of Elphaba’s and Glinda’s alleged friendship is true she delves into a tale of heartbreak, love, bigotry and misunderstanding.

The musical unfolds flawlessly. Performed by the capable Australian cast not a note or a beat is missed. The two notable performances are delivered fittingly by leads Jemma Rix as Elphaba and Suzie Mathers as Glinda. These ladies voices soar like songbirds. Mathers manages to enchant despite the overindulgent chirpiness of Glinda’s character. Rix’s portrayal of Elphaba sneaks up on you and wraps you up like a warm hug on a winter’s night. The standout numbers include Glinda’s solo Popular wherein she flits around the stage, dazzling everyone with her charm and beauty. On the flip side Elphaba smolders, a cauldron of angst and mistrust with a dash of longing as she sings I’m Not That Girl. But it’s Rix’s show stopping rendition of Defying Gravity that showcases her vocal power. She left me in chills.

Wicked impresses not only with the dynamic acting and singing, but also in regards to production. A huge mechanical dragon looms overhead. The set pieces shift and glide into position with unnoticeable ease. Each possesses a signature look that establishes a new location simply but effectively. The costumes further deepen the immersion into Oz. Whether it’s the gleaming finery of the Emerald City citizens or the colorful garments of Munchin Land, all of it is intricately made and beautiful. Of course the most elaborate costumes are reserved for the two leads: Elphaba’s tight, slinky, black dress actually shimmers purple and blue hues under the lights while Glinda’s a sugary confection in her white airy gown.

The score is the final element that completes the audience’s journey to Oz. The accompanying music never overwhelms the performances. It highlights the emotional peaks and valleys with an apt sense of appropriateness, seamlessly weaving itself throughout the entire length of the musical.

Wicked in Seoul is an experience not to be missed. I’ve seen only a handful of live musicals, both on Broadway and in the West End, and I’ll put this production right alongside those. We had seats in the second balcony, for 70,000 KRW, and our view was fine. My friend Sergio did mention that the actors’ lines were sometimes inaudible. I think that’s more to do with the sound quality in the theater. If you’re tall the seats can also be a bit daunting. Still despite the quibbles I wholeheartedly recommend seeing the show. It’s a superb retelling of a classic story of friendship, love, and betrayal that will weave a magical spell you’ll never forget.

Wicked is playing until October at Blue Square theater in Hannam Dong. Check out the website here for tickets, directions, and more information.