For those who have seen the original broadway cast, it may be difficult to imagine anyone else making their mark on the roles of Elphaba and Galinda. The original two witches, Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth, played the parts with such precision, and they truly created the characters we now see played by so many different people. However, the two national tour leads, Victoria Matlock as Elphaba and Christina DeCicco as Galinda bring completely different dimension to the characters. Matlock has a younger presence on stage than Menzel; she gives more of a vulnerability to the character. One has an easier time believing that she IS Elphaba, and not a person who is only playing Elphaba. Her singing contrasts with Menzel, in the way that it is not smoky but clear, almost bell-like, and she hits the high belting notes of her songs with ease. Christina DeCicco adds new humor to the already comedic role of Galinda. She acts almost like a small child when she is excited, with a hyper little dance that she does every time. In one of the most famous songs of the show, Popular, which Galinda sings while giving Elphaba a makeover, DeCicco has the audience roaring with laughter every moment. Her over-the-top dancing and singing quickly makes her an audience favorite.

Every person in the tour ensemble does a fabulous job creating Oz, especially with dancing, making every big number of the show breathtaking. The costumes are beautiful and very detailed. Not one person has the same outfit during a scene, or even the same wig. And the lighting is magnificent, as it quickly changes, sometimes creating a sunrise or sometimes a brilliant green for the Emerald City. The sets are stunning and the show moves from scene to scene with incredible ease; there is not one blackout during the show to change sets. Every supporting character does a superb job. Cliffton Hall plays Fiyero flawlessly, and Deedee Magno Hall brings tears to the eyes as the wheelchair-ridden Nessarose.

Altogether, the Wicked tour production is flawless. My personal opinion is that, having seen both the original cast and the tour cast, the tour cast does a better job of conveying the story and the characters to the audience. The cast always looks as if they are having the time of their lives, and the audience can easily feel the good energy of the show. I would highly recommend seeing the tour cast before the tour finishes its 13 city run.