Backstage tour of Wicked in Singapore with Elphaba and Glinda

Wicked the Musical: Behind the Emerald Curtain - Backstage Tour Summary

Key Concepts:

• Backstage tour of Wicked the Musical in Singapore
• Props: Fight broom, witches' hats, Glinda's luggage, bed, training wand, bubblefly contraption, Oz head
• Costumes and quick changes
• "One Short Day" ensemble performance
• Operating the Oz head

1. Introduction and Welcome

• The video provides a backstage tour of Wicked the Musical in Singapore, guided by cast members Zoe and Courtney.

2. Fight Broom and Witches' Hats

• Fight Broom: A lightweight broom used in a fight scene in Act Two between Zoe and Courtney. It's designed to be thrown without getting ruined.
• Witches' Hats: Zoe has three different hats: one for fight scenes (designed to be pulled off), one with a microphone, and a third unspecified.

3. Glinda's Luggage

• Glinda arrives on stage using a stack of luggage during the opening scene.
• A very quick costume change is required before climbing onto the luggage.
• Glinda has about 10 bags in her luggage set.

4. Backstage Antics

• Zoe and Courtney have a pre-bow ritual behind the clock face involving dancing before assuming serious expressions as the clock opens.

5. Glinda's Bed and Dorm Room Scene

• Glinda's bed is part of the "Popular" bedroom scene, set in their dorm room.
• Props include a lipstick and Glinda's training wand.
• The training wand is sometimes misplaced, causing a "scurry."

6. Bubblefly Contraption

• Glinda's bubble is designed like a clock, fitting the show's theme.
• The bubble rises above the black curtains, with Glinda clipped inside.
• Bubble machines create bubbles that sometimes get into Glinda's eyes during singing, which she pops.
• The bubble acts as a mirror, reflecting Glinda's image.

7. "One Short Day" Ensemble Performance

• The ensemble performs a portion of the song "One Short Day."
• Cast members wear green-tinted glasses to simulate the Emerald City.

8. Operating the Oz Head

• The Oz head is one of the largest set pieces, representing the Wizard of Oz.
• Operating the Oz head requires practice and strength.
• Controls:
  • Swiveling mechanism for moving the eyes left and right.
  • Lever for blinking the eyes.
  • Squeezing mechanism for animating the mouth during speech.
  • Eyebrow pedals for facial expression.
• The operator jokes about developing uneven arm strength due to operating the head.

9. Alphaba's Closing Statement

• Zoe, dressed as Alphaba, closes the video with the line, "I feel wicked."

10. Synthesis/Conclusion

The video provides a detailed and engaging backstage tour of Wicked the Musical, showcasing key props, costumes, and set pieces. It highlights the technical aspects of the production, such as operating the Oz head and the mechanics of the bubblefly contraption, while also revealing fun backstage moments and the collaborative effort involved in bringing the show to life.