By Alicia Kelso

When Wicked first touched down on Broadway in 2003, it swept the theatrical world with as much momentum as a Kansas tornado, setting box office records around the world and garnering three Tony Awards out of 10 nominations.

Loosely based on the best-selling novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, the stage production focuses on the relationship between the witches from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz long before one was labeled “Wicked” and the other “Good.”



The story of Elphaba and Glinda touches upon an unlikely friendship between the two women and all of its inevitable ups, downs, twists and turns. Wicked returns to Columbus with performances at the Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St., from July 28 through Aug. 29.

Chandra Lee Schwartz – who plays Glinda (who later becomes “Glinda the Good Witch of the North”) – took time out of the Wicked tour to speak with CityScene about the show’s success, singing emotional songs every night and glitter.

CityScene: When did you get started in show business?
Chandra Lee Schwartz: I started singing when I was 11 and always took voice lessons. I didn’t really do plays or musicals until after high school. Then, I did a production in junior college and realized it was what I wanted to do. When I was 19 (Schwartz is now 28), I moved to New York City, went to school and, before I graduated, auditioned for my first Broadway show.

CS: Did you get the part?
CLS: I did. It was for Gypsy. I got to work with Bernadette Peters and I learned so much from her and the way she conducted herself. She was an utter joy to be around and remains my role model to this day.



CS: So, you’re a late bloomer in the industry? Did that affect your career?
CLS: My story is a little unusual in that I came into it a little later, but I also think it helped me. I didn’t have preconceived notions or formal training, and I didn’t know what to expect. I was just clueless, young and naïve. At my first audition, I just did what they told me to do and went with the flow. By the end of the day, it went from hundreds of girls to 20 and I was just happy to be there with no expectations.

CS: Does anything about the industry surprise you?
CLS: The biggest thing that surprised me, and still does, was the scale of these productions – the amount of people they have working to make them happen. There are designers, tech people, costume directors, and just so much manpower and money and resources. The amount of detail that goes into making sure a shirt’s collar is folded the proper way, everything like that is just done on a huge scale.



CS: Why did you try out for the role of Glinda?
CLS: I thought was a good fit for me. It’s a leading lady role, but she’s also very funny. Those parts just don’t come along very often. Also, I get to sing soprano, which also doesn’t come along very often. Most of the roles are pop music, where you’re belting out the song, and the last two shows I did – High School Musical and Hairspray – were like that. So it’s rare to have this role – a soprano who is funny and a leading lady.

CS: How do you sing those powerful songs every night?
CLS: I don’t go out partying and I drink a lot of tea.

CS: What was your first impression of the Wicked production?
CLS: Once I saw Wicked for the first time, it exceeded my expectations. I read the script and I knew the music, but seeing it live is different. It’s amazing. It is a very powerful show.

CS: What is it about the story that stuck out for you?
CLS: A bunch of things. People have a familiarity with the story of the Wizard of Oz and in the show there are references to it, like the Yellow Brick Road, and those moments are fun. I think the music is very catchy, beautiful and moving, and that touches people, too. And then there is this story of two girls, two friends, and you don’t get that very often. There are so many love stories out there, but this is a beautiful story of friendship. Between all of these things, I think Wicked touches a huge span of people, from 6-year-old girls to grandfathers.

CS: How do you prepare for this role every night? Are you glad you don’t have to wear the green makeup that Elphaba’s character wears?
CLS: Other than the initial learning the music and the script and putting it on its feet, there’s not a lot of preparation day in and day out. The show has a team of people who work with me before the shows – with wig fittings, and shoes and costumes. It’s fun and very concentrated. I am glad I don’t have to wear the green makeup, but I do have to wear a ton of glitter. Since the show started, there is glitter in my food, in my belly button, in my car – it’s literally everywhere!


CS: How do you create synergy with Elphaba to portray an authentic friendship central to the story?
CLS: Donna Vivino – who plays Elphaba – and I have known each other as acquaintances for a while, just through the business. We both did Hairspray at different times and have had a casual relationship, so this transition was pretty seamless. Now we have a wonderful chemistry and a magical connection and the songs and story really are meaningful because we’re actually close friends. She’s a very gifted actress and it’s been fun being on this journey with her.

CS: Do you have a favorite song from the show?
CLS: If I had to pick a favorite, it would be For Good cause it’s so deep and emotional and singing it and acting it with Donna in that moment is special. The song makes me want to call my best friend almost every night after the show, and I usually do. Also, Popular is a lot of fun because that’s when the audience participates and we can be a bit silly.




CS: Glinda is very vivacious and admired, but she can also be shallow and even mean. Do you relate to her in any way?
CLS: I think everyone has a bit of Glinda in them. She’s not trying to be mean, she’s just isolated and privileged and has been her whole life, and she just doesn’t know any better. But, she learns. I think we all have many layers about us and are all capable of anything.

CS: Why should people see Wicked?
CLS: I think the show sells itself. It sells out every night for a reason and I’ve never been a part of a show that is this exciting. So many fans have told me time and time again that it’s the best show they’ve ever seen. I have been doing this part for nine-plus months and it still feels new to me. The show is just that good.

Wicked returns to Columbus with performances at the Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St., July 28 through Aug. 29. For tickets or more information, visit www.capa.com.