Vol. 16 No. 3
January 15, 2016 www.thecharlotteweekly.com
Charlotte moves forward with toll lane
Charlotte City Council voted 7-4 to move forward with toll lanes on Interstate 77, despite opposition from south Charlotte and Lake Norman residents. The meeting was the last time council will meet before the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization vote to reaffirm managed lanes on Jan. 20. Page 11
Wicked is green with popularity to the land of Oz. The show includes detailed costumes, courtney@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com glamorous hair and makeup (Elphaba’s Growing up watching the classic “Wiz- green tint is actually a MAC eye shadow), ard of Oz,” you wouldn’t think you’d end great visual effects, flying characters and well-written songs. up relating to the greenKoch and Cooper had faced villain of the story large shoes to fill, playyears later. But it’s hard ing the two leads of the not to feel for Elphaba, show, but both brought better known as the their own take to their Wicked Witch of the characters. West, after watching Koch had a unique, “Wicked The Musical.” rugged speaking voice, “Wicked,” based which I assume is natuoff the 1995 Gregory ral. Previous Elphabas Maguire novel about I’ve seen had more femthe story of the people inine, higher-pitched of Oz before Dorothy’s voices, but Koch’s voice arrival, appeared on helped emphasize her Broadway in 2003 and outsider role in Oz. I has been a hit ever since, appreciated the fact with countless national that she wasn’t stereotours and shows around typically feminine and the world. The show has naturally brought a new won more than 100 inkind of attitude. It also ternational awards, inwas a perfect contrast to cluding a Grammy and the squeaky, high voice three Tony Awards. of Cooper’s Glinda. Blumenthal PerformCooper played the ing Arts has welcomed bubbly, sometimes the show to Ovens haughty, but still loveAuditorium until the able role well, and exend of the month and celled during “Popular” I probably don’t have – a fan favorite. She had to tell you “Wicked” is brilliant comedic timan amazing show, as its ing that helped Glinda reputation speaks for shine as the “good itself. witch” who still had a “Wicked” tells the heart for her soon-tostory about how the be-wicked friend. Coofeisty, misunderstood per gave her “good girl” Elphaba (played by Photos by Joan Marcus role some sass, which Emily Koch) and the added depth to the character. popular, often-ditzy Glinda (played by Koch’s speaking voice didn’t impede Amanda Jane Cooper) become friends (see Wicked on page 3) and together experience changes coming by Courtney Schultz
News Briefs 6 | Opinion 7 | Education 8 | Faith 10 | Sports 12 | Classifieds 15