REVIEW: High notes, high marks for 'Wicked Divas' at the State Theatre

Dee Roscioli returned Monday to her native Easton, where she and her "Wicked" co-star Emily Rozek brought a bit of Broadway magic to the stage of the State Theatre.

The two actresses delighted and dazzled Roscioli's hometown faithful with an impressive and flawless performance -- one that was enhanced by the accompaniment of the equally superb Pennsylvania Philharmonic Orchestra.

Roscioli and Rozek took turns treating the audience to selections from "My Fair Lady," "The Phantom of the Opera," "Thoroughly Modern Millie," "Liza with a Z," "Funny Girl" and, of course, "Wicked." (Roscioli portrayed Elphaba, the "Wicked Witch of the West," while Rozek played Glinda, the "Good Witch of the North," in the production of the hit Broadway musical.)

Rozek shined brightest during a stirring rendition of "Think of Me," from "The Phantom of the Opera." (Hitting a perfect high B note is no easy task.) Rozek's perky and bubbly run through the "Wicked" song "Popular" was also a highlight. 

Roscioli, a 1995 graduate of Wilson Area High School, channeled her inner Fanny Brice for a rousing rendition of the "Funny Girl" ditty "Don't Rain On My Parade." Roscioli's voice soared to rafter-reaching levels when she belted out her signature "Wicked" tune "Defying Gravity."  She also performed the "Spamalot" number "Diva's Lament" and "Ring Them Bells" (from "Liza with a Z").

Following performances of the overture to the musical "Gypsy: A Musical Fable" and excerpts from the opera "Carmen," the two actresses joined the Pennsylvania Philharmonic midway through the title song from "And All That Jazz."

Roscioli and Rozek demonstrated their vocal prowesses as they dueted on the Barbra Streisand-Donna Summer disco hit "No More Tears (Enough is Enough)" and the closing "Wicked" number "For Good"; their voices melding together in pitch-perfect harmony.   

The Pennsylvania Philharmonic also took some time under the spotlight for instrumental renditions of Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine's "Conga" and a captivating version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."