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Sylvia Gomez: The characters from The Wizard of Oz
Have been turned inside-out in the smash musical "Wicked" -
Now playing to sold out crowds.
Tonight's CBS 2's Vince Gerasole takes us inside Chicago
For a backstage look at the Broadway magic
That helps Wicked's witch defy gravity.
(Wicked Witch Theme from "The Wizard of Oz" plays)
*Wicked Witch cackles*
Vince (voice-over): Witches are supposed to fly,
But it's a lot easier pulling it off on film than in person.
(Elphaba singing "Defying Gravity") "Tell them how I
Am defying gravity! I'm flying high..." (continues in the background)
Vince: Audiences are spellbound as Oz's Witch of the West
Dramatically rises before their eyes
While belting out a pop anthem
In the smash musical "Wicked".
(Elphaba singing) "BRING ME DOWN!"
Stephanie: And it's all...
(Sings a funny melody while dancing on the lift)
Vince: A long false skirt, a small platform, and a hydraulic lift
Help Stephanie J. Block work her magic as Elphaba,
The misunderstood emerald girl.
(Elphaba singing "For Good") "Who can say
If I've been changed for the better..." (continues in the background)
Stephanie: Elphaba really is about inner strength and integrity...
Vince: The actress came down to Earth
To walk us through the mechanics of it all.
Stephanie: I'll step up here.
I'll whip the cape over all of this mechanics
So you won't see that, once I rise.
It won't be obvious to the audience.
I'll step in, and with my back
I press on this lever...here.
(Sound of harness locking into place) So it closes in like this.
And then you'll notice...this is actually the exact material of my costume.
So it takes on this false skirt, that's longer,
To not show this teeny, little platform that I'm standing on.
Vince: Don't you worry, then, about falling out?
Stephanie: No! There's a computer off on stage left...
Once this locks in, it knows to "go".
If I'm not safely locked in, I won't defy gravity.
I won't go up.
(Stephanie singing softly) "It's me!"
Vince: When she does rise,
Billowing, black curtains hide the cherry-picker like lift.
("Defying Gravity" in the background) A flood of lighting and smoke
Also helps create the illusion.
Stephanie: I continuously pass the broom
And act as if I'm levitating. Moving...using the broom that's...
You know, making me float.
Then we hope that their eyes will continuously look here,
As opposed to trying to figure out the mechanics of it all.
(Galinda singing "Popular") "Popular. I'll help you be popular!"
("Popular" continues in background) Vince: "Wicked" tell the backstory
Of the witches of Oz,
And a friendship between Elphaba and Glinda the Good Witch.
It's become a phenomenal success,
Preaching the value of friendship and girl power.
Stephanie: And I love that this character
Can resonate in young women. That...
There's so much more than just... the outward facade.
That it really is the inside that counts.
(Glinda and Elphaba sing "For Good") "Who can say..."
Vince: Let's put the whole sequence together for you, now...
With a special cameo appearance.
Here's my line, here.
Stephanie: Here's your line, Glinda. Vince: I'm Glinda.
(Glinda from "The Wizard of Oz") I'm Glinda, the Witch of the North.
Vince (as Glinda): Leave me alone! Do you hear!
Stephanie (belts): "So if you care to find me,
Look to the western sky!"
("Defying Gravity" in the background) Stephanie: There's the magic, people!
There's the magic!
(End of "Defying Gravity" as the audience cheers)
Sylvia: You can see "Wicked" in it's dedicated run at the Ford's theatre,
Excuse me, the Ford's Center for Performing Arts Oriental Theater.
Male Anchor: That kind of makes you want to go see it, doesn't it?
Female Anchor: Oh, I'd want to see that, for sure.
Sylvia: I kind of half expected Vince to, you know...take flight.
Female Anchor: I know! He would be great!
Male Anchor: The man can sing!
Sylvia: Yeah! He's got a heck of a voice!