By Brent Frazier
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The hit Broadway musical "Wicked" came to Nashville last week for its second Music City tour at TPAC. It's a unique take on what happened before the Wizard of Oz.
NewsChannel 5 got a rare behind the scenes peek at the inner workings of Wicked.
During rehearsals, the lead actress belts-out "The Wizard And I" with ease.
"I play Elphaba, the wicked witch of the west in Wicked," said Anne Brummel.
Brummel "goes green" every night- a magical transformation, at the hands of head make-up artist "Joyce."
Once an under-study, Brummel learned the ins and outs of the character backing-up actress and friend Marcie Dodd, who also played Elphaba. Brummel said the character was never wicked at all, only mis-understood.
"Elphaba never intended to hurt anyone. Everything she did, and has done, is with good intentions. And it just was a skewed picture, you know? The press and the public, of our emerald city land, really sort of put a different spin on it," Brummel explained.
Brummel feels there's also a lesson to be learned about the hot-and-cold friendship between her character and Glinda the Good Witch, who forces Brummel's character to look within herself to find beauty.
Brummel finished her transformation with the addition of her trademark braided wig that helps conceal two or three "hair mics" if one of them falter during show-time.
Brummel said she doesn't feel intimidated that it is the show's second run through Nashville.
"It's very inspiring to be in this city that embraces the arts, and music as much as it does. You know, I could never be a country singer; I'm not good at singing with bands. It's not a skill set that I would say is strong," Brummel added.
"Wicked" runs through November 6. The two and a half hour show is recommended for anyone over the age of eight.
Even though "Wicked" is usually a sell-out, a handful of $25 orchestra-level seats are sold through a lottery system each night. The drawing requires you to arrive two and a half hours before the show.
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