The Griffin’s Favorite Duo takes on Wicked at Shea’s

By: Hannah Wiley, Features Editor and Kaitlin O’Meara, Copy Editor

Since the release of the film “Wicked” in November 2024, the franchise has skyrocketed to a new level of popularity. So, when Shea’s announced that the touring musical would be coming to Buffalo from Nov. 12-30, we knew we had to go. 

The two of us had both seen “Wicked” on stage before – Hannah on Broadway as a kid, and Kaitlin in 2017 during a previous tour – so we were both very excited to see it again. When I (Hannah) saw it, I went with my mom and it was the first show I ever saw on Broadway. So, I knew that I needed to see it at Shea’s with her too! She came up the day before and then we went to dinner at Patina 250 with her and my uncle. The food – while unrelated – was fantastic and a very delicious way to start our night. It was also both of our first times being on the floor at a show – and let’s just say it was life-changing being that close to the stage. 

Glinda, played by Zoe Jensen, was the highlight of the night and she did fantastic. From her mannerisms to her over-the-top acting, she perfectly embodied who Glinda is as a character. For our show we had the Elphaba understudy Adelina Mitchell and she was also great, but Jensen really stole the show. Mitchell was very talented, but it almost felt like she was holding back as she sang which felt against Elphaba’s character, and I (Kaitlin) wish we could have heard her “let it go,” to quote another Idina Menzel musical.

Ethan Krischbaum was our Fiyero, and though he did a good job, he unfortunately was no Jonathan Bailey – but who is? I (Kaitlin) don’t know that we were necessarily “dancing through life,” but we were certainly strongly moving through it. To be fair to him, I spent the whole first act comparing it to the first movie, so without this perception, I might have been a bit more forgiving. Nicolas Garza played Boq, the “munchkin boy” who dates Nessarose, Elphaba’s sister while being in love with Glinda. He later becomes (SPOILER ALERT) the Tin Man, and Garza’s performance was truly incredible. We were blown away by his character, especially given that he’s often overlooked. 

For those of you who had their first exposure to the “Wicked” franchise through the films – whether “Wicked” or “Wicked: For Good” – we both think that the movies are fantastic in their own right, but can’t be compared to the musical. However, we both agree that the first movie was better in comparison to this cast. With that being said, we also both think that they did act two better in the musical. 

From two people who truly consider themselves to be huge musical theatre fans, it’s no “Newsies,” but we’d certainly see it again. 

Inside of Shea’s Theatre via Hannah Wiley