“The Wizard of Oz” is a timeless classic that has been enjoyed by generations since its initial release in 1939.

While it’s hard to forget the tale of a girl and her dog swept away by a tornado into a fantasyland teaches her a variety of lessons and gives her the best of friends, there is another tale many people will not learn.

That is until Gammage brought the Broadway musical “Wicked” to Tempe this month to teach audience members about a side of Oz that most never knew.

This is the tale from the perspective of what readers and viewers of “The Wizard of Oz” have all been conditioned to remember as “The Wicked Witch of the West,” known in this musical performance as Elphaba — in all her green glory and that impeccable high-pitched screech of an evil laugh that defines everything wicked.

This story takes the audience back to the birth of Elphaba, with her green skin that even made her own father whimper.

Directed by Joe Mantello, “Wicked” follows Elphaba through her life and teaches the audience just how this witch came to be the evil fiend that she is, out to claim the infamous ruby-red slippers.

Many theater enthusiasts may be disappointed when they arrive to their long-awaited Broadway show only to learn that their favorite actor’s character will be played by the understudy for undisclosed reasons.

However, this can perhaps provide for an even richer experience than previously expected. As Seth Rudetsky, a Playbill columnist and a man very involved with Broadway shows, said in his recent Playbill article, “Understanding the Understudy,” “… having an understudy onstage lends great energy to the performance.”

This was exactly the case in Thursday’s matinee performance of Wicked, which featured two understudies in the lead roles: the “wicked witch,” Elphaba, and the “good witch,” Glinda.

Marissa Lupp, a recent graduate of New York University with a bachelor’s of fine arts, filled in for Katie Rose Clarke on Thursday in the role of Glinda, or who most “Wizard of Oz” spectators recall as the wand-carrying good witch that floats into Oz encased in a bubble.

Lupp provided the audience with a witty performance as the pretty, self-absorbed, want-to-be princess that wants nothing more than to be loved, popular and never hear the word “no.”

Long-time Broadway performer Donna Vivino usually plays the role of the ever-so Wicked Witch of the West Elphaba.

But Merideth Kaye Clark filled the role on Thursday’s showing. She gave the audience what can only be described as a memorable performance.

Clark, who holds a master’s of fine arts in musical theater and is no stranger to the stage, blew the audience away with a powerful voice that magically brought the songs of “Wicked” to life.

So absorbed in her role, Clark was able to capture the audience and take them onto a journey of discovering how a person with a great heart can turn sour, or “wicked,” after being used and pushed away from everyone for not being someone who falls into the category of societal norms.

Between the love of their characters and undeniably remarkable acting skills shared by Clark and Lupp, they were able to encompass that onstage energy that Rudetsky spoke about.

This energy led to an astounding finale that brought the audience to its feet for an eccentrically long standing ovation.

“Wicked” can be seen at Gammage through July 26th and tickets start at $28.50.

More information about this show and upcoming shows can be found at www.asugammage.com

Reach the reporter at bryan.brougham@asu.edu