SEATTLE — They might not be ruby slippers, but the leading ladies of the touring production of "Wicked" have big shoes to fill. The Tony Award-winning musical is back on stage at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre.
“Yeah, these roles are so iconic that there's a little element of pressure to that,” said Lauren Samuels who stars as Elphaba. “I've wanted to play this role since I saw it 20 years ago. I remember being like, please one day, let me be green.”
Alongside Samuels is Austen Danielle Bohmer who plays her enemy turned friend, Glinda.
"The gift of these roles is that so many women have had, you know, figured out their take on them,” said Bohmer. “We can find ourselves and our chemistry inside of these iconic things."
"Wicked" is the retelling of the “Wonderful Wizard of Oz” from the perspective of the witches. It's a story of friendship and love as well as good versus evil, truth, power, and equality.
"This story continues to feel really vital and important and resonant,” said Bohmer. “I feel really, really lucky to be coming to work telling this story in this moment in time."
It's also a big moment for fans of the musical. Part one of the big screen version of "Wicked" opens in theaters later this month. The touring company plans to do a screening while here in Seattle.
"To be in the 'Wicked' world in this moment is like just, 'Oh my gosh, it's the coolest thing,'” said Bohmer. “We want to make it feel as special as possible and Seattle will be where that memory is always sort of pinned."
"Wicked" is playing at Seattle's Paramount Theatre now through December 1, 2024. Limited tickets are still available.
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