It’s not easy being green, and we aren’t referring to Kermit the Frog—rather to Elphaba, the “misunderstood Wicked Witch of the West” of Wicked, the musical based on The Wizard of Oz.
Mariand Torres, who portrays Elphaba in the national tour company, told Las Vegas Magazine about her character—and, of course, how she turns green for every performance. (“MAC Pro green foundation mixed with water,” says Torres, who adds she uses basic foundation underneath then regular beauty makeup for the eyes.)
Wicked first opened on Broadway in 2003 and since then more than a dozen women have played the role on Broadway and in the first National Tour. “Anyone who steps into the role brings something of themselves to it,” says Torres, who was the standby with the Broadway company in 2016-’17. “I relate to her sarcasm and sense of humanity.”
She adds, "Elphaba is a strong, smart girl. She’s not so wicked it’s what we perceive as good or evil. She is passionate and fights for what she believes in, which includes people with no voice and animals."
Because of her green skin, Elphaba doesn't fit in and has been treated differently all her life, but she eventually embraces who she is and doesn't care what people think, said Torres.
Elphaba and Glinda (the blonde good witch) are roommates at Shiz University, and Wicked is the story of what happened to each of them as their paths split into two different directions and made them the iconic characters of good and evil we think of from the book and movie.
The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11, 13, 2 & 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12, 14-15, starting at $54 plus tax and fee. 702.749.2000
