Wildly popular 'Wicked' musical returns to Wharton Center for fifth time
Wharton Center is taking a risk — they’re betting on the idea that there are still Michiganders who haven't yet seen “Wicked,” the wildly popular musical by Stephen Schwartz.
Just how popular is the long-running show? So far, the Broadway production and various tours worldwide have grossed about $2.5 billion. This is the fifth time Wharton has hosted the musical that opened on Broadway in 2003.
Christian Thompson, who plays Fiyero, the love interest to the two witches, said this tour has been running for about 13 years. “Cast members are always coming and going and we are constantly rehearsing on the road, so we keep it fresh. Through the years, the show has not changed. It’s still a large cast with lots of bells and whistles. “
“Wicked,” the musical, is taken from the novel of the same name that follows the witches before the legendary movie “Wizard of Oz.” It a wonderful story of two friends — one a popular blonde and the other who was born green. The show includes the hit songs “Defying Gravity,” “Popular” and “For Good.”
Thompson joined the show in February and said he is always “chasing the perfect show.”
He said his favorite thing about being in this massive musical is standing backstage and watching the actors, conductors, technicians, costumers, etc. — 100 people — all working together to hit their marks and make the magic happen.
“It’s a huge show with lots of special effects and action and it takes everyone working as a team to bring it off," he said. "It’s really amazing.”
Thompson has had a magical career himself. Born and raised in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., his mother (“she was the superstar in my life”) knew the arts were important for a child’s development, so she bought a house directly across the street from the arts magnet elementary school.
The acting bug bit Thompson after he and his mother saw a production of “Cats.”
In high school he appeared in “The Producers,” “Urinetown” and more. He won a full scholarship to Penn State. When he graduated in 2015, he already had a cruise ship gig lined up.
“I loved working on a cruise ship," he said. "That is where so many future Broadway stars got their start. It’s hard work with shows every night but I learned so much.”
After six months he came back stateside and landed a lead role in the 20th anniversary tour of “Rent.”
“It was a non-equity show, so there were no rules about anything," Thompson said. "We’d get off the bus and do a show two hours later. It taught me a lot about myself and a lot about my craft.”
And to top it off, Thompson was in the pre/Broadway productions of “Ain’t Too Proud,” the story of the Temptations. He followed the show to Broadway. He starred as Smokey Robinson for six years.
It all prepared Thompson to take over an important lead role in “Wicked,” the most popular Broadway show on the road.
Although Thompson has been on Broadway and high-end road shows, he never forgets his roots in college and high school productions.
“When I rehearsed a dance routine for the Tony awards, we could not find a room so we had to rehearse in the carpeted lobby (not the best for dancing) of Radio City Music Hall. I thought, this is no different than college.”
IF YOU GO
Wicked By Stephen Schwartz
Wharton Center, Cobb Great Hall
May 10-28. Special matinee on Thursday, May 11.
Tickets from $64 at Whartoncenter.com, (517) 432-2000 or (800) WHARTON.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: 'Wicked' musical at Wharton Center May 10-28, 2023
