Theatrical sorcery, an unforgettable soundtrack, and sheer spectacle keeps this Australian touring cast defying gravity.

Wicked has long ascended to the ranks of musical theatre royalty, with legions of fans who know every song by heart. Now, two decades after its debut, this Australian touring production at Marina Bay Sands proves why the show continues to captivate. With its blend of steampunk aesthetics, stunning costumes, and soaring melodies, this production is a visual and auditory treat for any musical theatre lover.

Directed by Joe Mantello, at its core, Wicked remains a compelling story of friendship, power, and the system that entraps those who dare to be different. The set design masterfully reinforces this theme, with its grandiose clockwork motifs, spinning gears, and the ever-imposing mechanical Time Dragon looming over Oz like an omen. There’s a sense of nostalgia woven into the production, a reminder that time moves forward and change is inevitable—a sentiment that resonates even more deeply for long-time fans of the show, where no one can go back on decisions made or words said, and learn to live with the consequences of their choices.

The ensemble, dressed in dazzling, individually designed costumes, plays a huge role in bringing Oz to life. From the Ozdust Ballroom’s black-and-white elegance to the shimmering green garb of the Emerald City, every detail feels meticulously crafted, and liven up the entire show in numbers such as ‘One Short Day’ and ‘Dancing Through Life’, where they showcase precise choreography and gymnastics that bring up the entire theatre’s energy. The grotesque, nightmarish flying monkeys, with their unsettling half-human features, are a far cry from their cuter real life counterparts, and show how Wicked isn’t afraid to commit to its darker, more complex vision of Oz.

Courtney Monsma shines as the bubbly Glinda ‘the Good’, fully embracing the character’s Elle Woods-esque charm and calculated charisma. Her rendition of ‘Popular’ is a big highlight, infused with a sense of dorky self-awareness that makes it feel fresh while still staying true to the original. Monsma also adds depth to Glinda beyond a bubbly blonde however, with Act 2 opener ‘Thank Goodness’ allowing her to peel back Glinda’s polished exterior, letting the audience catch a fleeting glimpse of the doubt and fear beneath the forced smile. She commands the stage effortlessly each time she steps out in her dazzling gowns, perfectly poised and pristine, and drawing all eyes to her whenever she appears.

Of the cast, Jennifer Vuletic also impresses as Madame Morrible, perfectly balancing camp and menace. Beneath her exaggerated makeup and towering wig, she wields a keen sense of timing honed from years onstage, knowing precisely when to turn on the charm and when to let the mask slip, certainly delighting and terrifying the audience in equal amounts, while Chelsea Dean, as Elphaba’s wheelchair-bound sister Nessarose, delivers on the initial spoilt qualities that mutate into a sneering, obsessive personality when she becomes the Wicked Witch of the East.

There are times however, that the production feels like it’s finding its feet on the Singapore stage. Liam Head’s Fiyero is initially lacking in energy, particularly in the vocal power and joy needed to sell his big number, ‘Dancing Through Life’, while Zoe Coppinger takes a while to find the emotional resonance in her songs, where she is slightly unsteady on ‘Defying Gravity’, making up for nerves with belting out the song as best as she can, which, while impressive, feels more like an attempt to mimic Idina Menzel’s iconic original performance, rather than allowing her own natural style and emotions to shine through for a more genuine Elphaba.

However, both Head and Coppinger recover after the intermission, and that is where Wicked really finds its groove. Thanks to its rapid pacing, plot developments move much faster, and the emotionally-charged moments come at you one after the other, raising the stakes and hit the audience that much harder. Coppinger’s Elphaba and Head’s Fiyero feel much more relaxed both onstage and with each other, particularly in their triumphant rendition of ‘As Long As You’re Mine’ that has them both hitting the right notes, and an actual spark between the two of them. Tensions keep rising in the second act, and we do indeed feel for these characters we’ve come to know over the last ninety minutes.

By the time Elphaba and Glinda’s duet ‘For Good’ rolls around, Coppinger delivers a touching performance alongside Monsma, leaving audiences with that signature Wicked pang of bittersweet emotion as they have their final embrace. It is a song assures Wicked of nailing the emotional finale, and leaves us affected, cementing Wicked‘s position as a theatrical powerhouse and an audience rising to rapturous applause. The technical elements are as mesmerising as ever, from gravity-defying stunts to the clever use of shadow puppetry, while the score remains riveting, packed with Easter eggs that reward both newcomers and die-hard Wizard of Oz fans alike. After 20 years, Wicked continues to prove why it’s one of the most beloved musicals of all time. While this production takes a while to warm up, it ultimately delivers a visually stunning, emotionally engaging experience that’s sure to delight both first-timers and devoted fans.

Featured Photo Credit: Justin Griffiths

Wicked plays at the Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands from 19th March to 27th April 2025. Tickets available here