Green not with envy but with evil in ‘Wicked’
It may not be easy being green, as Muppet Kermit the Frog says, but Emily Koch finds that it sure is fun.
The 24-year-old will play the smart, fiery and misunderstood Wicked Witch of the West from “The Wizard of Oz,” in the national touring production of “Wicked,” which is coming to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
Koch will sport dark-green makeup in the high-profile role of Elphaba Thropp, whose skin tone causes her to be ostracized by almost everyone.
The actress is already familiar with theater makeup.
Koch, who grew up in Sherman Oaks, started going to the theater at an early age. Her father is a talent agent in Los Angeles, and her mother is a music teacher. She recalls attending the Segerstrom’s “9 to 5” and South Coast Repertory’s “Hamlet” and “Peter and the Starcatcher.”
She first saw “Wicked” in New York City when she was in seventh grade.
“I was obsessed,” Koch said. “I’d paint myself green in middle school, so getting this role is mind-blowing. It’s literally a dream come true.”
Koch, who graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, performed in “Little Women” at TheatreWorks in Palo Alto and “Housewarming” at the New York Musical Theatre Festival.
She was the Elphaba standby in the Broadway company of “Wicked.”
The award-winning musical is based on Gregory Maguire’s best-selling 1995 novel, “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.” It takes place before Dorothy arrives in the Land of Oz and explains how Elphaba became the Wicked Witch of the West.
Elphaba is a high-strung student who turns into an evil witch, whereas her self-absorbed college roommate Glinda is ambitious and well-liked.
Amanda Jane Cooper will reprise her role as Glinda, the Good Witch. Cooper, also a Carnegie Mellon graduate, played Glinda in the first national tour.
The musical examines good versus bad and focuses on themes like prejudice, bullying and friendship.
Some of Koch’s personality ends up in Elphaba, she said.
“We’re both very passionate, stubborn and we’re very strong in our convictions and are super loyal to a fault,” Koch said. “But she’s a bit angrier than I am.”
The musical, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, will make its fourth visit to the Segerstrom Center.
Award-winning singer and actress Idina Menzel originated the role on Broadway in October 2003 and stayed with the show until January 2005. She won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance as Elphaba.
It’s been a challenge, Koch said, to stay on top of the physical demands required to play Elphaba.
To hold the giant brooms in the air, Koch said she relies on yoga classes and stretching exercises.
And to hit the high notes in songs like her favorite, “Defying Gravity,” Koch said she warms up her voice with deep-breathing meditation.
It takes her about 15 minutes to transform into Elphaba and 15 minutes to take off the makeup, which includes green foundation and concealer, she said.
Koch said she enjoys talking with audience members.
“I meet the younger girls and say, ‘I was just you.’ It’s really cool to know that this show is inspiring another generation.”
With “Wicked” celebrating 12 years on Broadway, Koch said she thinks the show resonates with audiences because it contains lessons that everyone should learn.
“Never judge a book by its cover and that you’re capable of more than you thought possible,” she said. “Go after what you believe in wholeheartedly.”
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IF YOU GO
What: “Wicked”
When: Feb. 17 through March 6; 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays
Where: Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
Cost: Tickets start at $49
Information: (714) 556-2787 or visit scfta.org
