Wicked flies into Toledo

“Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz,” has flown into Toledo for the second time in 5 years, bewitching over 2,000 people to flock to the Stranahan Theater.

The Broadway-acclaimed production is on its debut tour of the United States, delving into Oz beyond Dorothy’s narrow view of the tale of two witches.

The tale winds, curves and doubles back, showing that behind every perceivable truth there is both another side and often, another truth entirely.

From the vantage point of the film, “The Wizard of Oz” the Wicked Witch of the West is vilified, hunted and ultimately hailed as dead.

“Wicked’s” Elphaba is a cultural icon of evil even in our own world, where she made TIME magazine’s Top 10 Witches in 2010. But this iconic “fact” brings home the musical’s message that truth can be distorted. The production of “Wicked” gives the background of Elphaba in a unique style of storytelling; we follow the Wicked Witch as she grows up and is repaid for her good fight against injustice with pain and misfortune.

The celebrated nonprofit group, The Theater League, is responsible for bringing the touring branch of this Tony-award-winning show to Toledo. Its mission is to enrich local performing arts centers by producing and presenting Broadway Musicals to its member cities.

The touring branch of the “Wicked” production, known as the Munchkinland Acting Company, will be in Toledo until Sept. 1 at the Stranahan Theater with tickets starting at $38 and going to $128. The production has won 35 major awards, including the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards.

For the Munchkinland Acting Company, Kevin Beebee is the man that pays close attention to everything behind the curtain. Beebee is in charge of the logistics of the company, from grocery stores to locating hospitals in case a certain witch falls out of a bubble. Preparing for showing in Toledo started for Beebee two years ago when the show was booked, following up with scheduling hotels a year and half prior to the show.

Traveling with “Wicked” for three years, after transferring from his seven year long standing position with the show “Mamma Mia,” Beebee is responsible for 75 people, including 30 cast members, a set crew, orchestra members, other managers, merchandise and their own physical therapist.

Being overall company manager means that Beebee tackles the enormous task of booking flights, canvassing the city and hiring local talent and crew members.

A 2005 graduate of Bowling Green State University, Beebee now finds himself scoping his once familiar area for up to 45 extra backstage hands, nine local musicians, a conductor and a contractor for set building.

Proving that there is no rest for the wicked, Beebee is responsible for the managing of the show’s numerous deadlines for set up. The most demanding is the time limit of 30 hours to construct and assemble the lavish backdrops, props and scenery for the entire production.

“The last time we were in Toledo, the show broke the local box office records,” Beebee said. “Being on that type of high and that type of energy, to come back is always nice.”

Although the work is sometimes tiring, Beebee says there is no other job he would rather have. “Whenever I’m having a bad day I go to the back of the house to remind myself why I’m here.”