For the third visit to Baltimore's Hippodrome, the enormously successful musical "Wicked" delivers the goods. The uninitiated should have no trouble figuring out what all the fuss is about; longtime fans should find enough freshness to make another encounter worthwhile.
Alyssa Fox could use a dash more personality and vocal richness as Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West, but she commands the stage nonetheless. As Glinda, Carrie St. Louis is a decidedly vibrant actress and singer, bringing out the character's "Legally Blonde"-like snap with particular flair.
Show biz veteran John Davidson makes a terrific, multilayered Wizard. If his articulation slips during vocal numbers, there is abundant color and style in the phrasing.
There are standout contributions from Lee Slobotkin as a sympathetic Boq and Michael Devries as an equally sympathetic Doctor Dillamond. Kristine Zbornik sweeps through the role of Madame Morrible deftly. And, some vocal strain aside, Ashley Parker Angel fills out the role of Ozian heartthrob Fiyero in style.
The brilliant stagecraft and costuming are still big draws; no show delivers more continual engagement for the eyes (the scene of the witch's melting remains a letdown, though).