Wicked's Blake Hammond brings the Wizard of Oz to life in Tulsa

The Broadway sensation Wicked has returned to Tulsa, bringing with it the magic, mystery and familiar characters of the Land of Oz, including the man behind the curtain.

Blake Hammond plays the Wizard in the national touring production, which is now running at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center through June 15. For Hammond, stepping into the iconic role is both a challenge and a joy.

"I’m loving playing the Wizard," Hammond said. "Wicked is just a juggernaut, and people, they come knowing they’re going to love it when they sit down."

Hammond is a veteran of the stage, known for his comedic timing and versatility. His past roles include Uncle Fester in The Addams Family, Nostradamus in Something Rotten! and even Edna Turnblad in Hairspray.

"Being a character actor, it’s fun to play all these different kind of people," he said. "But the Wizard is unique in and of himself."

The Wizard, he explained, is not the all-powerful figure the citizens of Oz believe him to be. Instead, he’s a man who arrived in Oz by accident and embraced the illusion of power.

"He's not really the nicest of people," Hammond said. "He's very self-serving. But he comes off as being nice, and he's fooled all the Ozians."

Despite the darker undertones of his character, Hammond says the energy of the audience makes each performance special, especially during the opening moments.

"The audience screams when the overture starts. It’s so much fun," he said.

Wicked continues to captivate theatergoers two decades after its debut. And while the upcoming movie adaptation has generated new buzz, Hammond says there’s nothing like seeing the show live.

"Seeing it in your living room is not the same as seeing it in a theater," he said.

Matinees and evening performances are scheduled through June 15, with tickets still available. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit CelebrityAttractions.com.