The highly anticipated Wicked tour has arrived in Tempe for a four-week run, bringing the magic of Oz to Arizona audiences. Since its Broadway debut at the Gershwin Theatre in 2003, Wicked has cemented itself as a staple in musical theater, now ranking as the fourth longest-running show on Broadway. The musical has traveled the world, with a West End production and, most recently, a Hollywood adaptation released in 2024, starring Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. The second act of the adaptation, Wicked: For Good, is scheduled for November of 2025.
Before the show even began, an eye-catching dragon sat on top of the stage, with special effects that appeared as the lights dimmed and the music started.
The show opens with the Citizens of Oz celebrating the death of the Wicked Witch of the West in “No One Mourns The Wicked,” as Glinda (Austen Danielle Bohmer) descends from her bubble to deliver the good news. The famous pivotal question is asked: "Are people born wicked? Or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?" Marking the true beginning of the story.
Bohmer initially struggles with some of the higher notes in the opening number, but as the show progresses, her performance gains strength and confidence, infusing Glinda’s "pinkiness" with personality throughout.
The audience is then transported to Shiz University, where we meet Nessarose (Erica Ito) and her sister Elphaba (Lauren Samuels). Ito brings a compelling presence to the role, with elegant diction and dynamic delivery that make her performance stand out.
Fiyero (Xavier McKinnon) makes his grand entrance, stirring up excitement among the students of Shiz as they head to the Stardust Ballroom in Dancing Through Life. This number is a standout moment in the show, featuring dazzling choreography, strong vocals and outstanding acting. The execution in this performance is particularly stunning, setting a high-energy tone for the rest of the production.
Throughout the performance, a highlight was how smooth each transition was despite many scenes overlapping each other. These polished transitions allowed the story to seamlessly move from each scene.
Wicked explores the nature of being both good and evil, and contrasts the two by using costume coloring and lighting. However, Wicked does not imply that either is good or bad. Instead, it shows the complexity of what it means to be seen as good or evil by everyone around you, even if that title is far from the truth.
We see Elphaba at the center of this conversation. With green skin and a black witch hat, it is easy to see how she aligns with our typical image of an evil character, but her love for those around her proves otherwise.
Elphaba has one goal attending Shiz, to meet the wizard. But when faced with the grand facade the wizard uses to speak to his visitors, she quickly sees through the fake pleasantries, and finds out the true nature of the wizard and takes her fate into her own hands.
Lauren Samuels' performance is enchantingly mesmerizing, showcasing powerful vocals and captivating narration. During “No Good Deed,” her storytelling reaches its peak, making the pivotal shift in the plot deeply felt.
Lauren Samuels and Austen Danielle Bohmer display a strong chemistry, making their onstage friendship of Elphaba and Glinda feel genuine and compelling.
You can experience Elphaba and Glinda’s journey through Oz for three more weeks at ASU’s Gammage Theatre, and though tickets are limited, here’s how you can find yours!
How to Get Tickets:
While tickets for the shows are limited, Gammage has added a feature on its site to “Find Shows with Best Available Inventory.” Alternatively, fans can head to Lucky Seat, create an account and enter for a chance to purchase $40 seats for the performance of their choice.