Wizard in Wicked says show is Wonderful

Unless you are Kermit the frog, being born green ain’t easy.
That’s just part of the story behind “Wicked,” the Broadway musical coming to the Bushnell Memorial as part of its national tour.
Based on the novel of the same name, written Gregory Maguire, the show is the “pre-quel” to the story of the Wizard of Oz, before Dorothy came on the scene.
“Wicked” examines at the relationship between the green witch of the north, Elphaba, and the Glinda, the witch of the west.
“When you are born green, and people pick on you, it makes you mean,” P.J. Benjamin who plays the role of the Wizard in the musical, says.
“The eventual acceptance of that person who is not born ‘normal’ is what makes the show have such a universal appeal,” Benjamin observes.
A theatre veteran with over 35 years of experience, including roles in “Chicago,” “Torch Song Trilogy,” and “Pippin,” the Chicago, Il. native is excited about his current character.
Of his role as the Wizard in the land of Oz, Benjamin says: “He is a little darker than in the movie. What do you do when things are falling apart around you? He takes the pressure off himself by turning on the animals,” placing all the blame for on what he perceives, and wants everyone to believe is their common enemy.
Benjamin, who said he never missed a day for sickness during his year and a half touring with “Wicked,” and rarely has missed a day in his long career, said he Hartford will be his last stop with the show.
“I love playing the role of the Wizard, but it is time,” he acknowledges. “All the ingredients came together and made this show. It is wonderful to be a part of this.”
With over 35 years on the stage, Benjamin said nothing he has ever done before has had the impact on audiences the way this musical has.
“What is interesting about this show is that appeals to everyone,” the actor says. “I think because you have two witches with two different points of view who learn to accept each other.”
Benjamin says in addition to its appeal to adults as well as children, “Wicked” has a universal message of acceptance of those who are different, which strikes a chord with audiences everywhere.
“If everyone could do that in the world, what a better place it would be,” Benjamin says. “I am glad kids are seeing our show. Maybe they will become more accepting of others.”
In addition to the show’s theme, Benjamin says “the music is terrific and it is a funny show, and a touching show.”
The music and lyrics are by Stephen Schwartz of “Godspell” and “Pippin” fame, with the book by Winnie Holzman.
“It is wonderful to see so many children coming to the show, and the grandparents and adults,” Benjamin adds. “It is not just for kids.
And even though he wouldn’t say how the musical ends, he did say “one thing good about our show is there is a surprise ending.”
The show opens in Hartford on Wednesday, Nov. 14 and runs through Sunday, Dec. 9.
To purchases tickets, call the Bushnell box office at 987-5900 or visit their website at www.bushnell.org