Wicked At The Keller Auditorium 2024
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Seeing Wicked at the Keller Auditorium was nothing short of a breathtaking experience, and I am not exaggerating when I tell you this performance was without a doubt the best Broadway show I have seen to date!
From the moment the curtain went up, I was drawn into the whimsical yet poignant world of Oz, where nothing is quite as it seems. The production’s storytelling, music, and performances made it clear why this musical has such a loyal following. Even though there will be a movie adaptation coming out soon, there is truly nothing that can compare to seeing it the way it was meant- on a theater stage.
One of the first things that struck me was the incredible talent of the cast. Every actor on that stage gave a performance that was both polished and emotionally resonant. Glinda’s bubbly personality, delivered with impeccable comedic timing, balanced beautifully with Elphaba’s complexity and strength. The dynamic between the two characters was electric, shifting effortlessly between rivalry and friendship, which made the story so much more powerful. Special mention has to go to the actor who played Elphaba—her voice was astonishing. When she sang “Defying Gravity,” it felt like the entire theater was holding its breath, completely captivated by her powerful and emotional delivery. It’s one thing to have a strong voice, but she brought such raw emotion to the role that it truly felt like we were witnessing something special.
The costumes were another highlight of the evening. I couldn’t help but admire the sheer creativity that went into designing each outfit. Glinda’s dresses sparkled as she floated around the stage, while Elphaba’s wardrobe reflected her growing strength and independence. Each costume felt like a perfect extension of the character wearing it. The ensemble cast was also decked out in bright, quirky outfits that gave a real sense of life to the bustling Emerald City. The attention to detail was impeccable, adding an extra layer of magic to an already stunning production.
But it wasn’t just the costumes and performances that made Wicked such a treat—the set design was an absolute triumph. The iconic clockwork theme throughout the show created a sense of being in a world both familiar and fantastical. The transitions between scenes were seamless, with each set piece contributing to the atmosphere without ever being distracting. When combined with the beautiful lighting design, it felt like we were right there in the heart of Oz, witnessing these life-changing moments alongside the characters.
The musical numbers themselves were unforgettable, and the orchestra did a fantastic job of breathing life into Stephen Schwartz’s beautiful score. Every song, from the cheeky “Popular” to the heart-wrenching “For Good,” was delivered with such energy and emotion that it’s no wonder they’ve become iconic. The music perfectly matched the highs and lows of the story, allowing the audience to feel every emotional beat as though they were experiencing it firsthand.
There’s something about seeing Wicked live that makes the themes of the show hit even harder. Beyond the dazzling costumes and catchy songs, the story is one of friendship, self-acceptance, and challenging preconceived notions. Watching Elphaba’s journey from misunderstood outsider to powerful, self-assured woman was deeply moving, and seeing it unfold in person only amplified the emotional impact.
The energy in the Keller Auditorium that night was palpable. The audience was clearly just as enthralled as I was, with audible gasps, laughter, and moments of awed silence. There’s something truly special about sharing in that collective experience with others, and it added an extra layer of excitement to the night.
If you get the chance to see Wicked at the Keller Auditorium, don’t hesitate. It’s not just a musical—it’s an experience that will leave you smiling, emotional, and with a song or two stuck in your head for days. You’ll walk out of the theater feeling as though you’ve been on a magical journey, one that you’ll want to relive over and over again.
Ticket & Show Information:
Wednesday, October 16th @ 7:30pm
Thursday, October 17th @ 1pm and 7:30pm – ASL Performance
Friday, October 18th @ 7:30pm – Audio Described Performance
Saturday, October 19th @ 2pm and 7:30 pm
Sunday, October 20th @ 1pm and 6:30pm – Open Caption Performance
Tuesday, October 22nd @ 7:30pm
Wednesday, October 23rd @ 7:30pm
Thursday, October 24th @ 7:30pm
Friday, October 25th @ 7:30pm
Saturday, October 26th @ 2pm and 7:30 pm
Sunday, October 27th @ 1pm and 6:30pm
Tuesday, October 29th @ 7:30pm
Wednesday, October 30th @ 7:30pm
Thursday, October 31st @ 7:30pm
Friday, November 1st @ 7:30pm
Saturday, November 2nd @ 2pm and 7:30 pm
Sunday, November 3rd @ 1pm and 6:30pm
PORTLAND, OR – WICKED, Portland’s most popular musical, will return to Portland’s Keller Auditorium from October 16 through November 3.
Tickets are on sale now and available at www.BroadwayinPortland.com.
Currently the 4th longest-running show in Broadway history, WICKED celebrated its 20th Anniversary on Broadway on October 30, 2023.
Winner of more than 100 international awards including the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards, WICKED has been performed in excess of 100 cities in 16 countries around the world (U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, Germany, Holland, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, The Philippines, Mexico, Brazil, Switzerland and China) and has thus far been translated into six languages: Japanese, German, Dutch, Spanish, Korean and Portuguese. WICKED has been seen by more than 67 million people worldwide and has amassed over $5.6 billion in global sales.
In addition to the Broadway production, WICKED in North Americahas enjoyed unprecedented record-breaking sit-down engagements in Chicago, where it ran for nearly four years; Los Angeles, where it ran for two years; and San Francisco, where it ran for nearly two years, as well as two North American Tours.
The Broadway sensation WICKED looks at what happened in the Land of Oz…but from a different angle. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emerald-green skin, who is smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships…until the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked.”
With a thrilling score that includes the hits “Defying Gravity,” “Popular” and “For Good,” WICKED has been hailed by The New York Times as “the defining musical of the decade,” and by Time Magazine as “a magical Broadway musical with brains, heart, and courage.” NBC Nightly News calls the hit musical “the most successful Broadway show ever.”
Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, WICKED has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and a book by Winnie Holzman. The production is directed by Tony Award winner Joe Mantello with musical staging by Tony Award winner Wayne Cilento. WICKED is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Stage Productions, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.
For more information about WICKED, please visit www.WickedTheMusical.com.
