THEATER
SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES Broadway favorite Wicked returns to Spokane, with a longtime fan in her dream role of Elphaba BY MADISON PEARSON
Talia Suskauer embraces her inner witch in Wicked. JOAN MARCUS PHOTO
W
icked is iconic, one of the most well-known, recognizable and downright spectacular shows to ever grace stages around the world — whether musical theater is your jam or not. This retelling of a Gregory Maguire novel of the same name has a humorous, politically poignant script that’s accompanied by roaring compositions by Stephen Schwartz. Wicked is a continuation of the beloved tale The Wizard of Oz, starting from the moment Glinda (the Good Witch) announces to the people of Oz that the Wicked Witch has melted. Glinda goes on to tell the story of the history of the Wicked Witch, using her given name Elphaba: how she was born with green skin, making her an outsider her entire life; how her and Elphaba attended school together; and, how they worked together, despite being a pair of unlikely friends, to take down the corrupt government of Oz. The original production of Wicked premiered on
Broadway in 2003 and became an instant hit, winning a Tony Award for Best Musical as well as a Grammy. Wicked has been touring nationally since 2005, making stops in Spokane twice before, in 2011 and 2014. Now it’s returning for 24 shows running March 9 to 27. Many young performers dream of playing a role in the show, from the intensely sweet Glinda to the fiery Nessarose. However, one role is highly coveted among musical theater performers: Elphaba. The role requires vocal agility and the skill to pull off a changing personality — a harmonious blend between subdued and wildly passionate. As the main character of the show, Elphaba is a dynamic role that teaches young people to pursue their dreams, no matter how wild. Literally teaching them to rise above, fly and defy the odds of what society believes is possible. The role was originated by Idina Menzel in 2003 alongside Kristen Chenoweth as her counterpart,
Glinda, and is now being played in theaters all over the U.S. by Talia Suskauer. The latest national tour of Wicked was interrupted in 2020 when theaters across the country closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, giving Suskauer six months to portray Elphaba, rather than the usual year, before the show went on hiatus. “Now we’re back on the road and in cities for up to six weeks at a time,” she says. “I love to explore the cities, find the best coffee shops and restaurants by talking to all of the locals. It guarantees a great stint in a city.”
S
uskauer grew up in South Florida, attending both a middle school and a high school for the arts. Her love for theater was always apparent, but it wasn’t until 2005 when she envisioned herself portraying Elphaba. ...continued on next page
MARCH 3, 2022 INLANDER 19
