'WICKED'-LY ENTERTAINING.

Byline: Evan Henerson

Theater Critic

Someone ought to tally up the number of instances a character in the musical "Wicked" -- be it Glinda the Good, the Wizard or the titular Witch of the West herself -- utters some version of the phrase, "I just want to be liked." Bet the number's off the charts. Oh, and "Let's give them what they want" also qualifies.

Not that there's anything wrong with likability. We're talking about a fairly basic human need, whether A) you're tormented because of the color of your skin, B) you've always been "pop-yoo-ler," and you don't know how to be anything else, or C) you want your $14 million Broadway musical to put derrieres in the seats.

Well, mission more than accomplished. People like "Wicked" so much that -- as of Wednesday -- Los Angeles has its own resident staging of the musical, and the Pantages Theatre will have no need for another tenant for quite some time.

The realization of the innate "give 'em what they want" mindset is probably key for optimum "Wicked" enjoyment. If the musical written by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman were in the least bit cynical or deep reaching, the thing would merit carpet bombs. But you can't loathe something so slick and technically vibrant as this is. All those great voices, all that impassioned singing ... it's like trying to fault Disneyland.

The good news for L.A. audiences is that anybody who missed "Wicked" during its quick-hit, sold-out run two summers ago will now have plenty of opportunity to catch the fever. Apart from substituting a few people, the new version is practically identical to what we saw before. In fact, Jenna Leigh Green and the marvelous Carol Kane were here before with the tour.

My sense is that Megan Hilty (as venal, blond and too-good Glinda) significantly outshines Kendra Kassebaum, who played the role during the 2005 tour. Hilty largely shakes the ditz out of the role, making Glinda something like the political creature she turns out to be. Hilty's leaping ballet-infused rendition of "Popular" proves that that song can and will bring out the ham in everybody.

Current Eden Espinosa vs. the tour's Stephanie J. Block as Wicked Witch Elphaba is largely a wash. Apart from a strong, belting voice and a convincing air of vulnerability -- both of which Espinosa possesses in spades -- the role is fast becoming the imitation of icon surrounded by special effects. The screen's Margaret Hamilton created it. Original Elphaba Idina Menzel reworked it, and on it goes.

The witch, suggests Holzman's story (based on Gregory Maguire's novel) is more misunderstood crusader than evildoer. Endlessly teased because of her green skin and odd magical abilities, Elphaba is a misfit ugly duckling at Shiz prep school. Forced to room with the beloved Glinda (they hate each other before becoming best buds), Elphaba proves herself a sorceress of uncommon ability -- and a budding animal rights activist to boot.

The Wizard (played by John Rubinstein) inevitably takes notice, and Elphaba's and Glinda's twin ascents to power follow parallel tracks. There's a dust-up over the love of bad-boy Prince Fiyero (Kristoffer Cusick) and before too long, we've caught up with the events of "The Wizard of Oz."

Along the way, there's plenty to drink in, from Susan Hilferty's costumes (the lady really has a way with hats) to Eugene Lee's gears-and-clockworks-laden scenery and Kenneth Posner's lighting.

Director Joe Mantello ("Take Me Out," "Glengarry Glen Ross") is an artist with a keen eye and an ear for the rhythms of dialogue. In assembling a circus-y, emotion-tugging fest like "Wicked," the man earned his paycheck.

As do composer Schwartz and book writer Holzman. It's no meager feat to package comfort food in such brightly colored wrapping, to get audiences murmuring in not-so-silent satisfaction when they recognize how the Wicked Witch got her hat or where the Cowardly Lion came from. Heck, it's no small achievement to get a hungry audience applauding pretty much the second the lights go down.

"Wicked" is nice that way. And it's a hit. Likability sells. Go figure.

Evan Henerson, [phone]

[e-mail]

WICKED - Two and one half stars

Where: Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood.

When: 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday; indefinitely.

Tickets: $32.50 to $85.50. [phone]. www.wickedthemusical.com

In a nutshell: Ding dong the Wicked Witch is back!

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Photo:

"Wicked" -- the story of what happened before Dorothy's arrival in Oz -- is back home in L.A. for an extended run at the Pantages Theatre. The production features Megan Hilty, left, as Glinda, and Eden Espinosa as Elphaba.