Theater Review: Wicked brings gravity-defying theatrics to Providence - Playing through Sunday, March 22nd

Broadway sensation Wicked is already in week two of a three-week stint at the Providence Performing Arts Center, bringing the magic of Oz to Rhode Island. 

For those unfamiliar with the show or its 20+ year legacy, Wicked tells the story of how the green-skinned Elphaba (played by Jessie Davidson) goes from a sorcery student at Shiz University to the Wicked Witch of the West, all before Dorothy’s farmhouse crashes in the strange land of Oz at the start of the 1939 film. 

Directly tied to Elphaba’s story is that of Glinda the Good (Zoe Jensen), her popular and bubbly academic rival, and Fiyero (Ethan Kirschbaum), the roguish prince who isn’t as shallow as he tries to be. The three players do a fabulous job finding the balance of tension and chemistry between one another. This on-stage synergy is what makes numbers like “What Is This Feeling?” and “Popular” so, well, popular. 

Of course, no number stands out quite as much as “Defying Gravity.” If there is a singular reason to see Wicked during its time at the PPAC, it would be to have the opportunity to see this song performed live. Jessie Davidson’s vocal performance is every bit as show-stopping as that song demands.

While Wicked is sure to be a favorite of all theater-goers, fans of costuming and set design have a lot to love in this production as well. 

From the dramatic and verdant attire of the Emerald City citizens to the sequined masterpieces of Glinda’s wardrobe, the costumes are as vivid and bright as the technicolor of the original Wizard of Oz movie. 

The set is also a wonder. With beautiful clockwork gears along the sides, a floating bubble for the Good Witch, and a mechanical dragon overseeing the stage, it contrasts the magic with a technological charm befitting the Wonderful Wizard himself.  

This tour is also the first time Wicked has returned to Providence since the release of the 2023 film adaptation and its 2024 sequel, Wicked: For Good, sparking a pop culture renaissance for the three-time Tony Award winning musical. While the movies helped bring the story of Wicked to a wider audience, the stage production is a must-see before the end of the Providence run on March 22nd.  For more information, visit ppacri.org