Wicked
The Musical
Wicked is one of the most successful and beloved musicals of all-time. The show premiered on Broadway, at the Gershwin Theatre, in October of 2003. It has since become one of the Great White Way's longest running productions. The musical has sold millions of Wicked tickets on Broadway as well as in cities all over the world. The musical has been produced for theatres in Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and London's West End—Wicked holds the West End record for biggest opening. Two Wicked tours have been launched in the U.S. and each has been a resounding success. Internationally, the show has had extensive runs in Tokyo, Osaka, Stuttgart, Sydney, and Melbourne.
Wicked is based on the novel "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" by Gregory Maguire. The tome runs parallel to the 1939 movie Wizard of OZ (which was based on L. Frank Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of OZ"). Wicked weaves the tale of two witches, Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Galinda (later Glinda) the Good Witch of the North. The two strong female characters are both friends and rivals. The story takes place before Dorothy's arrival in Oz and then continues through her stay and eventual departure. Although she's referenced, you never see the ruby-shoe-wearing Kansan, however Wicked does explain the origins of the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion.
Wicked's music and lyrics were by Stephen Schwartz ("Godspell" and "Pippin") and the book was written by Winne Holzman (creator of the ABC television series "My So-Called Life"). The original Broadway production was directed by Joe Mantello and the musical staging was done by Wayne Cilento. The magnificent Idina Menzel originated the role of Elphaba and her wonderful performance earned her the 2004 Tony Award for Best Actress. The role of Glinda was originated by the amazing Kristin Chenoweth. The incomparable Joel Grey was cast as The Wizard.
Wicked's signature song is the soaring act one closer "Defying Gravity." If that number doesn't make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up than you're not human. Other memorable tunes from the score include "Popular," "One Short Day," and "As Long As You're Mine." The musical also features stunning sets, elaborate costumes, and thrilling theatrical effects. There are even talking animals and a very cute lion cub.
In 2004, Wicked received 10 Tony Award nominations. Beside's Menzel's win, the show also took home Tonys for Best Scenic Design and Best Costume Design. In the coveted Best Musical category, Wicked lost out to another popular Broadway show, Avenue Q. The West End production of Wicked was nominated for four 2010 Laurence Olivier Awards (that country's version of the Tony Awards) but lost all four. It did win the now obsolete Audience Award for Most Popular Show.
Wicked is arguably Broadway's most entertaining and popular musical. Its catchy songs, its numerous Wizard of Oz references, and its sense of humor make the musical a refreshing treat for ardent theatre goers as well as palpable for those who normally eschew Broadway tickets. Wicked's tremendous success and popularity are even more astonishing when you consider that it opened to mixed reviews; the New York Times panned the show.
Wicked Review from the May 2006 Boston
Show
We saw Wicked the Musical at the Boston Opera House and it
was fantastic. I am not a big fan of musicals, I find it
sort of funny when two people are having a perfectly normal
conversation and then they suddenly break out in dramatic
song. (My wife commented that the theater was about 75% women
and 25% men (the Red Sox were playing at the same time, maybe
that was it?)
But overall, the show was really entertaining and it had
a great plot. I mean, we all grew up with 'The Wizard of Oz'
and that story is as much a part of us as E.T. or Star Wars
or . . . read
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