© 2024 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Selected stories from the WKAR NewsRoom in your morning email. SUBSCRIBE HERE

Meet "Wicked" Star Billy Tighe

The Broadway musical “Wicked” is in its second and final week of another run at the Wharton Center. Billy Tighe plays Fiyero, the male lead in "Wicked," the story of the witches Elpheba and Glinda. Fiyero is a key figure in how the others transform into the Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch of the North in the land of Oz. Tighe speaks with WKAR’s Scott Pohl about playing the role of the love interest in “Wicked.”

BILLY TIGHE: Tough job, I'll tell you! It is a lot of fun, and it's great to, especially with Wicked, to be a part of a love triangle. I shouldn't say that's the first time I've done that in a show, let's clear up that right there! It's fun to play against these really strong female characters and show up on the scene as a really malleable, easy going guy who kind of goes wherever the ladies are, and to meet these two women who really are strong in who they are, is really fun for me to play.

SCOTT POHL:It's really interesting to watch, because you're not just the object of the affection for the two others, you're also torn between the two others.

TIGHE:Absolutely. I think when discussing the show initially when I was learning it, they make it very clear that Fiyero does not necessarily love Elphaba more than Glinda, it's seen as an equal triangle, that he loves each of them individually for different things, and that his love develops for Elphaba in the end. But the love is equally dispersed between the ladies for two different reasons, and the friendship between the three of them is really shared equally so that it's not just a love triangle between Fiyero and the two ladies, but really a love triangle between all three of them. And obviously, that connection between the two girls, through the love of friendship, is really strong as well, and that's the main story line.

POHL:What's the most challenging part to playing Fiyero?

TIGHE:I think for me, the most challenging part is playing the vast differences Fiyero in the first act, and the second act, and how laid back they want him to be in the first act, and how easy going. I think what's challenging for me is to do a dance number right from the word go, where they want you to be as if you're hungover, but you have to sing at the top of your range and be really energetic while also being really cool. It's quite a contrast to play within itself, which can prove to be pretty difficult sometimes.

POHL: Fiyero does some growing up during the show.

TIGHE: Absolutely. He makes a drastic change from the first act to the second act, and I think it's because of the relationship that he has with the two female characters, that really challenge him to become the person that he grows into, and each woman brings out this different character train in him, which leads him to be this strong character who has convictions and ideas, and questions authority. And his desire to be a strong man for both of these women is really what drives him to change.

POHL:Were you a fan of the show before you were cast in it?

TIGHE: Oh, absolutely! I was a huge fan of the show when it first came out, and I definitely had the soundtrack, and my parents were very patient as we listened to it in the car right when the CD first came out. I'm really still amazed that I'm a part of it, because for me, I had seen the show many times; my wife was also in the show, so I had seen the show probably 15 times before I was ever even a part of it.

Scott Pohl is a general assignment news reporter and produces news features and interviews. He is also an alternate local host on NPR's "Morning Edition."
Journalism at this station is made possible by donors who value local reporting. Donate today to keep stories like this one coming. It is thanks to your generosity that we can keep this content free and accessible for everyone. Thanks!