Stage review: 'Wicked' is absolutely bewitching

"WICKED," through May 3, national tour, Capitol Theatre (801-355-2787); running time: 2 hours, 50 minutes (one intermission)

Cell phone cameras were the accessory to have Thursday night at "Wicked," as folks took snapshots of the curtain/scrim depicting a map of the land of Oz.

For those with the hottest ticket in town, the excitement bubbled throughout the house and lobby: women in "Which Witch" T-shirts, young girls in Glinda gowns, even a tiara or two. By the time the 14-person orchestra, nine of whom are local musicians, began playing the overture, the crowd roared in anticipation of seeing the much-awaited record-breaking musical.

"Wicked," did not disappoint.

Having seen the musical both in New York and on tour in Denver, I was pleased to see that this production brings all the sets, costumes, props and power of the original, allaying any fears that tours are never as good as what's on Broadway.

In case you haven't heard, "Wicked" is the musical adaptation of the best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire. Under the musical hand of Stephen Schwartz (script by Winnie Holzman), this is the story of "The Wizard of Oz's" Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West (in this story, Elphaba) and how they came to be who they are. And with, as odd as it sounds, a bit of animal activism thrown in.

Beyond all of "Wicked's" wizardry, pardon my pun, its success rests squarely on the tiara and pointed hat of its two leads.

Schwartz's music is extraordinarily difficult to sing: basement low notes for both women, an operatic rage for Glinda and belt-singing for Elphaba in a range that shouldn't even be human.

These women not only had the vocal chops to sell it and sell it well, they were delightful to watch.

So loved is the character of Elphaba that Donna Vivino simply walked on stage and the audience was in her green palm before singing one note — and then she sang.

Everyone was hooked during the hopeful "The Wizard and I," and if there were any doubters in the house, Vivino took care of that, handily, at the end of Act I with her impassioned, "Defying Gravity."

She also captured the awkward hesitance and defensive bravado of a person who has never been accepted.

On the opposite end of the Witch spectrum, Katie Rose Clarke was equally charming.