Review of Wicked at Proctors Theater
by Katie Beltramo
The national tour of the smash Broadway hit Wicked returned to Proctors Theater on Wednesday, October 29, and it continues through Sunday, November 9. The show is recommended for ages 8 and up, and children under 4 will not be admitted.
First opening in 2003, Wicked feels thoroughly modern and hip, with a steampunk-inspired, otherworldly set and citizens of Oz wearing costumes that are both sumptuous and outlandish (think Helena Bonham Carter on a funky day, but with more hair and brocade). The first characters we see are a couple of flying monkeys, and they exemplify the style of the musical while offering an immediate tie with the movie most theater-goers know well (and, along with the steamy, red-eyed dragon, perhaps startling young kids in the process). Dorothy herself is elusive, although Wizard of Oz fans will recognize inside jokes and appreciate the back stories offered about her companions.
Wicked offers a wider context for the familiar tale of Dorothy's visit to Oz, but it centers on the characters Elphaba (Jessie Davidson), later known as the Wicked Witch of the West, and Galinda (Zoe Jensen), who becomes Glinda the Good. Their rivalry and friendship is the emotional and musical core of the story. Both actresses are superb.
The story doesn't merely exchange roles, with Elphaba as good and Glinda as bad. Instead, each character is more complex: Elphaba juggles good-humored acceptance of her lot with brash anger and moments of effusive hope, like during "The Wizard and I." Glinda, who appears entirely brainless and self-absorbed at the beginning, reveals herself to be kinder, more clever, and more tormented by her choices than we expect. It's a tall order to create well-rounded characters while hitting high notes and offering enough humor to keep the 2 hour and 45-minute long show moving along, and both women do it beautifully.
Along the way, they tell a story so fraught with insight about bullying, scapegoats, appreciating differences, standing up for what is right, and believing in yourself (even if the grown-ups around you don't) that I felt the urge to get tickets for every middle-school or high-school age kid I know. If you've got one of those kids, take them. And then plan a little time afterwards to talk about it all while it's still fresh.
As for younger kids, I think that the recommendations (8 and up, and not younger than 4) are absolutely appropriate. There are some dark scenes that could scare young kids, like Elphaba's birth scene and especially when Elphaba and Glinda visit the Wizard of Oz, which is loud and scary. Many of the themes that resonate so well with grown-ups and adolescents would be lost on younger kids. However, from my limited survey of the kids who attended our performance, most of the kids loved it, whether or not they caught all of the jokes and themes.
The best musical numbers were those that highlighted the two main characters—the quirky-fun "Popular" sung by Ms. Jensen and "For Good," is a gorgeous ballad of friendship. Larger musical productions like "Dancing Through Life" and "No One Mourns the Wicked" are energetic fun For the biggest "wow," nothing could beat "Defying Gravity" at the end of the first act, which offered a dramatic light show surpassed only by Ms. Davidson's soaring voice.
It's easy to understand Wicked's broad appeal. Beyond its pure entertainment value, it offers insight into ideas worth talking about, whether you're applying them to world events or a talk with your middle-schooler about being kind to classmates.
Questions to spark discussion with kids:
- What surprised you about the witch characters that we know from The Wizard of Oz?
- What did you think about Elphaba and Nessa's father and their relationship?
- Were you surprised about what happened to the teacher, Doctor Dillamond?
- If animals could talk, what do you think they would say?
- How does the way Galinda starts to treat Elphaba change how others treat her?
- What did you think about the back stories of the Lion, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow?
- Elphaba sings "No Good Deed goes unpunished" ... have you ever felt that way?
- Now that you know about the rest of the story, what do you think about how Glinda told the villagers that the witch was dead?
- What do you think about Glinda not knowing what happens to Elphaba at the end?
If you're feeling especially ambitious, they also provide a Study Guide.
Wicked's national tour is playing at Proctors Theatre, Schenectady, through Nov. 9, 2025 and continuing to several other KidsOutAndAbout regions including Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Rochester, Providence, Dallas, Minneapolis, and Kansas City.
For schedule and ticket information, visit wickedthemusical.com.
© 2025 Katie Beltramo.
Katie Beltramo, a mom of two, is editor of Kids Out and About. She also blogs at Capital District Fun.
Photos by Joan Marcus.