Musicals are having a moment. It’s an extension of fan culture—that is to say, culture—with musical theater nerds loudly and proudly staking their claim among the other fandoms on social media. When I went to see The Outsiders on Broadway, there was a large group of teenage girls screaming for Ponyboy and cheering in anticipatory excitement before all the big numbers. When I caught a preview of The Great Gatsby, the screams were so loud you would think star Jeremy Jordan was Harry Styles.

Certainly among the most enduringly popular musicals is Wicked, the girl-power reimagining of The Wizard of Oz, which made co-stars Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth stars—or at the very least, god tier among musical theater nerds.

Happily, Universal Pictures didn’t try to obscure the fact that Wicked is a musical, but that’s not to say the production was without controversy. Everyone agreed that Cynthia Erivo, who won the Tony for The Color Purple and was Oscar nominated for her turn as Harriet Tubman in Harriet, was perfect for the part of misunderstood witch Elphaba, but mega pop star Ariana Grande as Glinda? When there were deserving musical theater professionals out there in need of a big break? Additionally, the promotion was not above its own bait and switch. Never seen in the commercials and trailer is the fact that the nearly three hour film is merely part one. Part two is due next year.

Let’s get those “controversies” out of the way first. Ariana Grande is a marvelous Glinda—pampered, entitled, but secretly kind—like Alicia Silverstone in Clueless if she had pipes for days. Anyone who has seen Grande on Saturday Night Live already knew she was funny—and here, her stellar comic timing is aided by her adoring sidekicks played with gleeful “you can’t sit here” bitchiness by Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James. As for the film being a part one? I wouldn’t fret it. It ends perfectly. You feel satisfied with what you just saw, while eagerly anticipating the next installment.

So yeah, Wicked is good. Almost great, although I couldn’t quite warm up to all the CGI sets and backdrops. I understand that director Jon M. Chu worked hard to create a built environment, even going so far as to plant 9 million tulips to recreate Emerald City (reader: I thought they were fake). But, despite his best efforts, the film still has that slightly glossy, uncanny feeling of AI. Give me cheesy, hand-built sets any day.

Still there’s a lot to recommend here, as the film is filled with wit and cleverness and verve. Erivo, as expected, makes for a heartbreakingly vulnerable, yet fierce Elphaba, and her belting out of “Defying Gravity” feels like cinematic catharsis at its finest.

There are also excellent supporting turns, including Jonathan Bailey as the dashing but romantically conflicted Fiyero; Michelle Yeoh as the glamorous professor of the dark arts, Madame Morrible; the voice of Peter Dinklage as the wise and kindly goat professor, Dr. Dillamond; and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard. (I mean, of course, Jeff Goldblum is the Wizard of Oz. It’s casting as inevitable as it is perfect.) Also, look out for a few smartly placed cameos. (Can you say: Adele Dazeem?)

Directed and performed with flair and obvious affection for the source material, Wicked is a wickedly good time at the movies. And yes, I imagine it’s going to be popular, as I’m already thinking of shelling out 15 bucks to see it again.

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The renowned musical, by Winnie Holzman with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, is based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. Maguire’s version is a re-telling of the classic by L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which proves that there are indeed two sides to every story.

The show chronicles the events before and after the arrival of Dorothy in The Land of Oz, telling the story of unlikely friends Elphaba, (better known as the Wicked Witch of the West), and Galinda (known later as Glinda the Good Witch), who struggle with clashing personalities that ultimately lead to Elphaba’s legendary fall from grace. Elphie, as Galinda affectionately nicknames her, is a sort of political activist, fighting against injustice towards the animal Oz. Galinda is the archetypal popular girl who is used to getting everything her way. The two learn to appreciate each other’s differences and become, as the kids say, BFFs, before exposed secrets threaten to ruin their friendship.

The musical scores, comedic timing, visual imagery, and costuming were all fantastic, but the set and special effects alone were enough to leave the audience awestruck. There was a giant, winged dragon with piercing red eyes at the top of the stage, overlooking the crowd, which added a 3-D element to the show. Also, the recreation of the Wizard’s omnipotent persona was just like the movies. No smoke and mirrors here; there was real, giant, golden, animatronic head with moving features for The Great and Powerful Oz.

Texas native Alyssa Fox played the role of Elphaba, and her voice was so powerful, it’s hard to believe it comes out of such a petite person. She belted out the musical’s most popular song “Defying Gravity” without breaking the slightest sweat. The entire audience was on the edge of their seats for that epic last note, waiting to see if she could live up to Idina Menzel’s famous, Broadway version, and the standing ovation and mutterings of “wow” that followed were evidence enough that she blew us all away.

Carrie St. Louis, who played the hilariously bubbly Glinda, had a vocal register that was unparalleled. She executed operatic high notes flawlessly. Pay close attention to her character; she’s an unexpected comedic genius throughout the show. Both Fox and St. Louis’ vocal capabilities were neck and neck with Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, who played Elphaba and Glinda, respectively, in the original Broadway cast. Viewers will not be disappointed.

Speaking of disappointment, it was unfortunate that we weren’t able to catch Ashley Parker Angel (member of the former MTV band boy, O-Town) in action playing the role of Fiyero. His understudy, Travis Taber, had great acting skills, but his vocal ability could not compete with the caliber of musical talent that his cast mates possessed. However, a Baltimore colleague caught the opening night, and her report? Angel stills looks mighty fine in a pair of tight pants.

All of that being said, it’s easy to see why Wicked has been a hit for the past 12 years, and it doesn’t seem like it will be losing steam anytime soon. The show will be playing at the Hippodrome until April 26 and tickets are available here. There are also rumors that Wicked: The Movie will hit theaters in 2016. We’ll keep our fingers crossed.

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It’s
now been 10 years since The Hippodrome (which dates back to 1914)
reopened amidst great fanfare and hype about a Westside renaissance. Has
it lived up to the hype? You can read my story about the theater’s
success and ongoing challenges in our February issue.

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