Sleep-deprived eyes perked up as the lights dimmed down and the orchestra began performing at Gershwin Theatre in New York City, March. 11. Feather staff members, advisers and chaperones arrived at Broadway for the first main activity of the week, Wicked, before preparing for the CSPA’s 94th annual Spring Scholastic Convention.

Wicked is a Broadway Musical by Stephen Schwartz and is based on the 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire. The play itself is an alternate telling of the 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz, and the 1900 novel by L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, however the play includes several references to both.

It follows the perspectives of the Witches of the Land of Oz: Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) and Galinda (later known as Glinda the Good Witch). They are two entirely different people who felt nothing except loathing towards each other at first, but eventually become best friends.

One of my favorite things I have noticed after watching Wicked multiple times is the way each individual actor can take the role of their character and own it. I believe this really makes or breaks the complete production. An unbelievable voice or hilarious acting in between songs is the difference between greatness and excellence.

Amanda Jane Cooper played Glinda’s role exceptionally. Her over-the-top and obnoxious ditziness, seen especially in ‘Popular’, combined with her powerful voice landed her in the hearts of many spectators as her standing ovation proved.

Jackie Burns led Broadway’s second-highest-grossing show as Elphaba. Burns’ voice seemed shaky at first, but over the course of the production, her powerful voice shone in songs like ‘Defying Gravity’ and ‘No Good Deed’.

Altogether, the production of this musical was absolutely thrilling. The star performances of the lead roles surrounded by the solid acting and terrific vocals gave us a stunning show. — Alexander Rurik

All of the main characters performed without flaw. Madame Morrible (Isabel Keating), The Wizard (Fred Applegate), Doctor Dillamond (Martin Moran) and Nessarose (Kristen Marten) were outstanding, although not memorable.

Ashley Parker Angel had the perfect physique and voice to play Fiyero, the love interest for both Elphaba and Glinda. Boq’s character, played by Jye Frasca, is typically timid, but in this performance he was especially weak in voice.

The ensemble performed spectacularly as usual and the orchestra, although a bit quiet, was spot on.

Disney and musical enthusiast, Kamryn Schultz, ‘19, enjoyed the interactions between the characters, specifically Elphaba and Glinda.

“Before I saw wicked I was expecting it to be like any other broadway show, but I was excited to see something new,” Schultz said. “The first act was pretty good. I loved the songs and the backstory of the characters I grew up loving. But at the second act, my jaw dropped through the whole thing. Beautiful music and a plot twist at the end made me fall in love with this musical and now I can’t stop listening to the soundtrack.”

Altogether, the production of this musical was absolutely thrilling. The star performances of the lead roles surrounded by the solid acting and terrific vocals gave us a stunning show.

For articles from The Feather’s 2017 trip to New York, read Renown photographer hooks Feather staff with accomplishments and CSPA Gold Crown winners. For more recent articles, read The Feather takes NYC 2018: Day 1 Recap and Redmeption: Berchtesgaden.

Check back on The Feather throughout the week as the #feathertakesNYC.

Slideshow below includes images from Wicked.

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This author can be reached via twitter @alexrurik23 and via email: Alexander Rurik.