Wicked (musical)

Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz, or simplyWicked, is a musical with music and lyrics byStephen Schwartzand a book byWinnie Holzman. It is a loose adaptation of the 1995Gregory MaguirenovelWicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which in turn is based onL. Frank Baum's 1900 novelThe Wonderful Wizard of Ozand its 1939film adaptation. The musical is told from the perspective of two witches,ElphabaandGlinda, before and afterDorothy's arrival inOz. The story explores the complex friendship between Elphaba (who becomes theWicked Witch of the West) and Galinda (who becomesGlindathe Good). Their relationship is tested by their contrasting personalities, conflicting viewpoints, shared love interest, reactions to the corrupt rule of theWizard of Oz, and ultimately, Elphaba's tragic fate at the accidental hands ofDorothy Gale.
Produced byUniversal Stage Productionswith producersMarc Platt, Jon B. Platt andDavid Stone, directorJoe Mantelloand choreographerWayne Cilento, the original production ofWickedpremiered onBroadwayat theGershwin Theatrein October 2003, after completing pre-Broadway tryouts at San Francisco'sCurran Theatrein May and June of that year. Its original stars includedIdina Menzelas Elphaba,Kristin Chenowethas Galinda,Norbert Leo Butzas Fiyero andJoel Greyas the Wizard.
The original Broadway production won a total of threeTony Awardsand sevenDrama Desk Awards, while its original cast album received aGrammy Award. The success of the Broadway production has spawned many productions worldwide, including a long-runningWest Endproduction.Wickedhas broken box-office records around the world, holding weekly-gross-takings records in Los Angeles, Chicago, St. Louis, and London. In the week ending January 2, 2011, the Broadway, London, and both North American touring productions simultaneously broke their respective records for the highest weekly gross.In the final week of 2013, the Broadway production broke this record again, earning US$3.2 million.In 2016,Wickedsurpassed $1 billion in total Broadway revenue, joiningThe Phantom of the OperaandThe Lion Kingas the only Broadway shows to do so. In 2017,WickedsurpassedThe Phantom of the Operaas Broadway's second-highest grossing musical, trailing onlyThe Lion King.
A two-part film adaptation was directed byJon M. Chuand starredCynthia Erivoas Elphaba,Ariana Grandeas Glinda, andJonathan Baileyas Fiyero, with extended cameos by Menzel and Chenoweth.The first partwas released on November 22, 2024, and was a critical and commercial success.The second partis scheduled for release on November 21, 2025.
Composer and lyricistStephen SchwartzdiscoveredGregory Maguire's 1995 novelWicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the Westwhile on vacation and saw its potential for a dramatic adaptation.However, Maguire had released therightstoUniversal Pictures, which had planned to develop a live-action feature film.In 1998, Schwartz persuaded Maguire to release the rights to a stage productionwhile also making what Schwartz himself called an "impassioned plea" to Universal producerMarc Plattto realize Schwartz's own intended adaptation. Persuaded, Platt signed on as joint producer of the project with Universal and David Stone.
The novel, described as a political, social, and ethical commentary on the nature of good and evil, takes place in theLand of Oz, in the years surroundingDorothy's arrival. The story centers onElphaba, a misunderstood, smart, and fiery girl with emerald-green skin, who grows up to become theWicked Witch of the Westand Galinda, the beautiful, blonde, popular girl who grows up to becomeGlinda the Good. The story is divided into five scenes, based on the locations where Elphaba lives during her life; it presents events, characters, and situations adapted from L. Frank Baum'sThe Wonderful Wizard of Oz(1900) and its1939 film adaptation. The novel treats some serious and dark adult themes, including sexual assault, political unrest, infidelity, racism and the role of religion in society.It is designed to set the reader thinking about what it really is to be "Wicked", and whether good intentions with bad results are the same as bad intentions with bad results. Schwartz considered how best to condense the novel's dense and complicated plot into a sensible script.To this end, he collaborated with writerWinnie Holzmanto develop the outline of the plot over the course of a year,while meeting with producer Marc Platt to refine the structural outline of the show, creating an original stage piece rather than a strict adaptation of Maguire's work.
While the draft followed Maguire's idea of retelling the story of the 1939 film from the perspective of its main villain, the storyline of the stage adaptation "goes far afield" from the novel. Holzman observed in an interview withPlaybillthat: "It was [Maguire's] brilliant idea to take this hated figure and tell things from her point of view, and to have the two witches be roommates in college, but the way in which their friendship develops—and really the whole plot—is different onstage."Schwartz justified the deviation, saying: "Primarily we were interested in the relationship between Galinda—who becomes Glinda—and Elphaba... the friendship of these two women and how their characters lead them to completely different destinies."Other major plot modifications include Fiyero's appearance as theScarecrow, Elphaba's survival at the end, Nessarose using a wheelchair instead of being born without arms, Boq having a continuing love interest for Glinda and eventually becoming theTin Woodmaninstead of Nick Chopper, cutting Elphaba's years in the Vinkus, the deletion of Liir's birth, Fiyero not having a wife and children, Doctor Dillamond being fired instead of being murdered, and Madame Morrible going to prison instead of dying.
Thebook, lyrics, and score for the musical were developed through a series of readings.In these developmental workshops,Kristin Chenoweth, the actress whom Schwartz had in mind while composing the music for the character,joined the project as Glinda.Stephanie J. Blockplayed Elphaba in the workshops (she played Elphaba in the first national tour and later as a Broadway cast replacement) beforeIdina Menzelwas cast in the role in late 2002. Earlier that year, the creators recruited New York producer Stone, who began planning the Broadway production.Joe Mantellowas engaged as director andWayne Cilentoas choreographer, while designerEugene Leecreated the set and visual style for the production inspired byW. W. Denslow's original illustrations for Baum's novels and Maguire's concept of the story being told through a giant clock.Costume designerSusan Hilfertycreated a "twistedEdwardian" style in building more than 200 costumes, while lighting designerKenneth Posnerused more than 800 lights to give each of the 54 distinct scenes and locations "its own mood".By April 2003, the show was in rehearsals.
Following the out-of-town tryout in San Francisco in May and June 2003, which received mixed critical reception, the creative team made extensive changes before its transfer to Broadway.Holzman recalled:
Elements of the book were rewritten, while several songs underwent minor changes."Which Way is the Party?", the introductory song to the character Fiyero, was replaced by "Dancing Through Life".Concern existed that Menzel's Elphaba "got a little overshadowed" by Chenoweth's Glinda,withSan Francisco Chroniclecritic Robert Hurwitt writing, "Menzel's brightly intense Elphaba the Wicked Witch [needs] a chance of holding her own alongside Chenoweth's gloriously, insidiously bubbly Glinda."As a result, the creative team set about making Elphaba "more prominent".In making the Broadway revisions, Schwartz recalled, "It was clear there was work to be done and revisions to be made in the book and the score. The critical community was, frankly, very helpful to us."
The citizens of theLand of Ozare celebrating the death of theWicked Witch of the West.Glinda the Good Witchappears and reminisces about their past, beginning with the troubled childhood of the Witch (bornElphaba Thropp) after her mother had an affair and her father, Governor ofMunchkinland, disowned her when she was born with bright green skin ("No One Mourns the Wicked").
Flashing back many years earlier, Elphaba arrives at Shiz University with her younger paraplegic sister Nessarose, where she is ostracized for her green skin and sarcastic personality ("Dear Old Shiz"). The school's headmistress, Madame Morrible, assigns Elphaba to room with the popular Galinda Upland. Recognizing Elphaba's magical potential, Morrible decides to privately tutor Elphaba in sorcery ("The Wizard and I"), making Galinda intensely jealous and the two girls come to loathe each other ("What is This Feeling?"). Meanwhile, Dr. Dillamond, the only animal professor at Shiz, informs Elphaba of a conspiracy to stop all animals from speaking ("Something Bad").
A roguish prince, Fiyero, begins attending Shiz and arranges a party for his fellow students. Galinda becomes immediately enamored with him, and convinces her admirer, the Munchkin Boq, to take Nessarose to the party instead so that she can go with Fiyero. At Nessarose's urging, Elphaba asks Morrible to begin teaching Galinda sorcery. When Elphaba is mocked at the party for wearing an ugly hat Galinda gave her as a practical joke, Galinda has a change of heart and decides to dance with Elphaba ("Dancing Through Life"). In their room, the girls finally bond and Galinda gives Elphaba a makeover ("Popular"). The next day, Dillamond tells the class he can no longer teach. His human replacement introduces "the cage", designed to stop animals from speaking. Elphaba, furious, frees the lion cub imprisoned within it and escapes with Fiyero. They share a private moment, but Elphaba laments that Fiyero could never love her ("I'm Not That Girl").
Morrible tells Elphaba that theWizard of Ozwants to meet her, and she goes with Galinda, who renames herself Glinda in solidarity with Dillamond (who mispronounced her name as such), to theEmerald City("One Short Day"). The two meet the Wizard and are surprised to discover his mortal nature ("A Sentimental Man"). Morrible appears and announces she is the Wizard's new press secretary. After being tricked into enchanting the Wizard's monkey servants to sprout wings painfully, Elphaba deduces that the Wizard is behind the suppression of animals and is a fraud who uses parlor tricks and lies to stay in power. Elphaba flees his chambers, and while Glinda begs her to apologize, Elphaba refuses and declares that she must do what is right. An empathetic Glinda declines to leave with her, and the two friends bid farewell before Elphaba enchants a broom to fly away from the Emerald City ("Defying Gravity").
Sometime later, Elphaba has become known as the Wicked Witch of the West for her opposition to the Wizard's regime, while Glinda has been positioned by Madame Morrible as the Wizard's spokesperson. Fiyero, now Captain of the Wizard's Guard, hopes to find Elphaba, but leaves when Glinda tells him that Elphaba does not want to be found ("Thank Goodness").
Elphaba visits Nessarose, now the governor of Munchkinland following their father's death. Nessarose has removed the Munchkins' few rights to prevent Boq from leaving her. Feeling guilty, Elphaba enchants Nessa's silver shoes to allow her to walk. Boq takes this as proof that Nessarose no longer needs him and attempts to leave her for Glinda. An infuriated Nessarose attempts to cast a love spell on him, but pronounces the incantation wrong and shrinks his heart instead. Elphaba tries to save him, but can only transform him into atin manwho does not need a heart to live ("The Wicked Witch of the East"). Boq flees, and Nessarose blames Elphaba.
Elphaba returns to the Emerald City to free the Wizard's monkey servants, but the Wizard discovers her. He once again tries to convince Elphaba to work with him, explaining he is an ordinary man who became revered by the citizens of Oz ("Wonderful"). He then voluntarily frees the monkeys. Elphaba is won over until she discovers Dillamond, who has lost the ability to speak, and vows to fight the Wizard. Fiyero helps Elphaba escape and decides to go with her, leaving Glinda heartbroken. She privately laments that Fiyero always loved Elphaba ("I'm Not That Girl (Reprise)"). Glinda convinces the Wizard and Morrible a way to lure Elphaba out of hiding by spreading a rumor that Nessarose is in danger. Unbeknownst to Glinda, Morrible and the Wizard decide a mere rumor would not fool Elphaba, and Morrible proposes "a change in the weather".
Hidden in the forest, Elphaba and Fiyero confess their love for each other ("As Long As You're Mine") when Elphaba senses that Nessarose is in danger. Her premonition is correct; a house has fallen from a tornado and crushed her sister to death. Elphaba is distraught and furious that Glinda has given Nessarose's enchanted shoes to the house's occupant,Dorothy Gale, and the two get into a physical fight that the Wizard's guards eventually break up. Fiyero arrives and allows Elphaba to escape but gets captured. At Kiamo Ko castle, Elphaba casts a spell to try to save Fiyero; presuming him dead, she laments that she will never be seen as good and finally embraces her reputation as the Wicked Witch of the West ("No Good Deed").
The Citizens of Oz declare war on Elphaba ("March of the Witch Hunters"). Glinda realizes that Morrible summoned the tornado that killed Nessarose and is horrified, but Morrible reminds Glinda that she has been complicit in all of Morrible and the Wizard's plans to further her own goal of becoming a powerful figure in Oz. Meanwhile, Elphaba has captured Dorothy to try to obtain Nessarose's shoes. Glinda arrives to warn Elphaba of her danger. Elphaba accepts that she must surrender, and the two friends embrace for the last time before sharing a tearful goodbye ("For Good"). Glinda watches from the shadows as the mob throws a bucket of water on Elphaba, melting her and leaving only her hat and a bottle of Green Elixir that had belonged to her mother.
Glinda confronts the Wizard with the elixir, which he recognizes as his own; he was the man Elphaba's mother had an affair with, thus her biological father. The Wizard decides to leave Oz, leaving Glinda in charge, who arrests Morrible. Meanwhile, Fiyero (now aScarecrowas the result of Elphaba's spell) arrives at Kiamo Ko Castle, where Elphaba emerges from a trap door, having faked her death. Elphaba and Fiyero depart Oz together, as Glinda informs everyone that the Wicked Witch is dead before reluctantly joining Oz in celebrating ("Finale").
The score ofWickedis heavilythematic, bearing in some senses more resemblance to anoperathan a traditional musical score. While many musical scores employ new motifs and melodies for each song with little overlap, Schwartz integrated a handful ofleitmotifsthroughout the production. Some of these motifs indicate irony—for example, when Glinda presents Elphaba with a "ghastly" hat in "Dancing Through Life", the score reprises a theme from "What Is This Feeling?" a few scenes earlier.
Two musical themes inWickedrun throughout the score. Although Schwartz rarely reuses motifs or melodies from earlier works, the first—Elphaba's theme—came fromThe Survival of St. Joan, on which he worked asmusical director. "I always liked this tune a lot and I never could figure out what to do with it," he remarked in an interview in 2004. The chord progression that he first penned in 1971 became a major theme of the show's orchestration. By changing the instruments that carry the motif in each instance, Schwartz enables the same melody to convey different moods. In the overture, the tune is carried by the orchestra'sbrass section, with heavy percussion. The result is, in Schwartz' own words, "like a giant shadow terrorizing you." When played by the piano with some electric bass in "As Long as You're Mine", however, the same chord progression becomes the basis for a romantic duet. And with new lyrics and an alteredbridge, the theme forms the core of the song "No One Mourns the Wicked" and its reprises.
Schwartz uses the "Unlimited" theme as the second major motif running through the score. Although not included as a titled song, the theme appears as aninterludein several of the musical numbers. In a tribute toHarold Arlen, who wrote the score for the1939 film adaptation, the "Unlimited" melody incorporates the first sevennotesof the song "Over the Rainbow." Schwartz included it as an inside joke:
Schwartz further obscured the motif's origin by setting it in aminor keyin most instances. This also creates contrast in the songs in which it forms a part, for example in "Defying Gravity", which is written primarily in the key ofD-flat major.In the song "The Wicked Witch of the East", however, when Elphaba finally uses her powers to let her sister walk, the "Unlimited" theme is played in amajor key.
Acast recordingof the original Broadway production was released on December 16, 2003, byUniversal Music. All of the songs featured on stage are present on the recording with the exception of "The Wizard and I (Reprise)", "A Sentimental Man (Reprise)" and "The Wicked Witch of the East". The short reprise of "No One Mourns the Wicked" that opens Act II is attached to the beginning of "Thank Goodness".The music was arranged byStephen Oremus, who was also the conductor andmusical director, and James Lynn Abbott, withorchestrationsbyWilliam David Brohn.The recording received theGrammy Award for Best Musical Show Albumin 2005and was certifiedplatinumby theRIAAon November 30, 2006.The album was certifieddouble platinumon November 8, 2010.A fifth-anniversary special edition of the original Broadway cast recording was released on October 28, 2008, with a bonus CD including tracks from the Japanese and German cast recordings, "Making Good"—a song later replaced by "The Wizard and I"—sung byStephanie J. Blockwith Schwartz at the piano, "I'm Not That Girl" by Kerry Ellis (featuringBrian Mayon guitar), Menzel's dance mix of "Defying Gravity" and "For Good" sung byLeAnn RimesandDelta Goodrem.
A German recording of the Stuttgart production was released on December 7, 2007, featuring a track listing and arrangements identical to those of the Broadway recording.The Japanese cast recording was released on July 23, 2008, featuring the original Tokyo cast. It is notable for being the first (and so far the only) Cast Album of the show that includes Glinda's Finale dialogue.
Wickedofficially opened on June 10, 2003, at theCurran Theatrein San Francisco, after previews began on May 28.The cast includedKristin Chenowethas Glinda,Idina Menzelas Elphaba,Robert Morseas the Wizard,Norbert Leo Butzas Fiyero,Michelle Federeras Nessarose,Carole Shelleyas Madame Morrible, John Horton as Doctor Dillamond, and Kirk McDonald asBoq.Stephanie J. Block, who originally read the role of Elphaba during the show's workshop stage, was Menzel'sstandbyduring tryouts, but left before the show moved to Broadway. She would then lead the 1st National Tour oppositeKendra Kassebaumas Glinda.The tryout closed on June 29, 2003, and after extensive retooling,the musical began previews on Broadway at theGershwin Theatreon October 8, 2003, and made its official premiere on October 30. Most of the original production team and cast members remained with the show. Principal casting changes includedJoel Greyas the Wizard,William Youmansas Doctor Dillamond andChristopher Fitzgeraldas Boq.
On March 12, 2020, the show temporarily suspended production due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.Performances resumed on September 14, 2021, withLindsay Pearceas Elphaba and Ginna Claire Mason as Glinda. Chenoweth made a pre-curtain speech before the grand reopening of the show.
On 31 March 2005, the first national tour ofWicked(called the "Emerald City Tour" by the producers)started inToronto, Ontario, and went on to visit numerous cities throughout theUnited StatesandCanada.The original touring cast includedKendra Kassebaumas Glinda,Stephanie J. Blockas Elphaba, Derrick Williams as Fiyero,Jenna Leigh Greenas Nessarose,Carol Kaneas Madame Morrible,Timothy Britten Parkeras Doctor Dillamond, Logan Lipton as Boq, andDavid Garrisonas the Wizard. The tour concluded at thePantages TheatreinLos Angeleson March 15, 2015, after 4,160 performances, withJennifer DiNoiaas Elphaba andChandra Lee Schwartzas Glinda.
Following a limited engagement of the first national tour from April 29 to June 2005, a sit-down production of Wicked opened at theOriental TheatreinChicagoimmediately following the tour, using the original set of the tour.The cast includedAna Gasteyeras Elphaba,Kate Reindersas Glinda,Rondi Reedas Madame Morrible,Kristoffer Cusickas Fiyero,Telly Leungas Boq, Heidi Kettenring as Nessarose and Gene Weygandt as the Wizard.The production closed on January 25, 2009, after 1,500 performances withDee Rosciolias Elphaba andAnnaleigh Ashfordas Glinda.
An open-ended production also appeared inLos Angeles, California, at thePantages Theatre. Performances began on February 10, 2007, with an official opening on February 21. The cast includedMegan Hiltyas Glinda,Eden Espinosaas Elphaba,Carol Kaneas Madame Morrible,Timothy Britten Parkeras Doctor Dillamond,Jenna Leigh Greenas Nessarose,Adam Wylieas Boq,Kristoffer Cusickas Fiyero, andJohn Rubinsteinas the Wizard.The show closed on January 11, 2009, with the same leads, after 791 performances and 12 previews.
ASan Franciscoproduction ofWickedofficially opened February 6, 2009, at SHN'sOrpheum Theatre.The cast includedTeal Wicksas Elphaba,Kendra Kassebaumas Glinda,Nicolas Dromardas Fiyero, Carol Kane as Madame Morrible,David Garrisonas the Wizard,Deedee Magno Hallas Nessarose, Tom Flynn as Doctor Dillamond, and Eddy Rioseco as Boq.The production closed on September 5, 2010, withMarcie Doddas Elphaba andAlli Mauzeyas Glinda, after 660 performances and 12 previews.
The second national tour ofWicked(called the "Munchkinland Tour")began on 12 March 2009 at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall inFort Myers, Florida.The original cast starred Marcie Dodd as Elphaba,Heléne Yorkeas Glinda,Colin Donnellas Fiyero, andTom McGowanas the Wizard.The production was suspended in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemicand resumed performances on August 3, 2021, withTalia Suskaueras Elphaba, Allison Bailey as Glinda andCurt Hansenas Fiyero.The production celebrated its 5,000th performance on July 30, 2022.
The originalWest End(London) production began previews at theApollo Victoria Theatreon September 7, 2006, with an opening night on September 27.The show celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2016 with a special curtain call featuring former West End cast members.The British production was tailored slightly for a British audience, including minor creative changes to dialogue, choreography and special effects. A majority of them were later incorporated into all productions ofWicked, including the Broadway production and the two US national tours.
The London production reunited the show's original creative team. Original London cast members included the return ofIdina Menzelas Elphaba,Helen Dallimoreas Glinda,Miriam Margolyesas Madame Morrible,Adam Garciaas Fiyero,Martin Ballas Doctor Dillamond,James Gillanas Boq,Katie Rowley Jonesas Nessarose andNigel Planeras the Wizard.After her limited engagement, which ended on December 30, 2006, Menzel was succeeded on January 1, 2007, byKerry Ellis, who became the first British actress to play Elphaba.
The production suspended performances on March 16, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.It resumed performances on September 15, 2021, in time for the production's 15th anniversary.Sophie Evansreopened the show in the role of Glinda and left when the cast changed on January 30, 2022.Helen Woolf returned from maternity leave then andLucie Jonestook over as Elphaba.
The musical became the tenth-longest-running show in West End history during its 6,762nd performance on April 24, 2024.
Wickedbegan its first UK/Ireland tour on September 12, 2013, at thePalace TheatreinManchester. It then toured the UK and Ireland before concluding the run inSalfordon July 25, 2015.
A second UK/Ireland tour began in December 2017, opening at the Theater 11 inZurich, then making it first official UK/Ireland Tour stop in January 2018 at theBristol Hippodrome. The tour ended at thePalace TheatreinManchesterin January 2019.The cast included Amy Ross as Elphaba, Helen Woolf as Glinda,Aaron Sidwellas Fiyero, andSteven Pinderas the Wizard/Doctor Dillamond.
A third UK/Ireland tour began on 7 December 2023 at theEdinburgh Playhouse, inEdinburghwhere it played to 14 January 2024. It then toured the UK and Ireland before ending its run at the Palace Theatre in Manchester in January 2025. Laura Pick returned to lead the tour as Elphaba with Sarah O'Connor as Glinda and Carl Man as Fiyero. Simeon Truby played the Wizard/Dillamond with Donna Berlin as Madame Morrible, Jed Berry as Boq and Megan Gardiner as Nessarose.
In 2013, forWicked10th anniversary, the first Spanish adaptation of the show was announced to open inMexico City,with book and lyrics fully translated by Marco Villafán, titledWicked, la historia jamás contada de las brujas de Oz. Ana Cecilia Anzaldúa andDanna Paolawere alternating in the role of Elphaba with Cecilia de la Cueva as Glinda.Danna Paola made her stage debut becoming the youngest actress to ever portray Elphaba, at just 18 years old.The show was produced byOCESA Teatro, and opened on 17 October 2013 at the Teatro Telcel, closing in January 2015.
In late August 2024, with the release of the newWickedmovie, it was announced that Danna Paola and Cecilia de la Cueva will dub the voices and singing of Elphaba and Glinda respectively, in Spanish, reprising the roles they both played on stage in 2013.
RenamedWicked: Die Hexen von Oz(Wicked: The Witches of Oz), the German production ofWickedbegan previews on November 1, 2007, and opened on November 15, at the Palladium Theater inStuttgart.Willemijn Verkaikplayed Elphaba andLucy SchererGlinda. The show was produced byStage Entertainmentand closed on January 29, 2010, transferring toOberhausenwhere previews began at theMetronom Theateron March 5, 2010, with an opening night of March 8. Joana Fee Würz took over the role of Glinda.The show closed on September 2, 2011.
On September 5, 2021, a brand new production ofWickedopened at theNeue Flora TheatreinHamburg, produced by Stage Entertainment again, which previously had presented the show in Stuttgart, Oberhausen, and The Hague.Vajèn van den Bosch and Jeannine Wacker were cast as Elphaba and Glinda respectively.
An Australian production of the show officially opened on July 12, 2008, with previews commencing June 27 at theRegent TheatreinMelbourne.
Amanda Harrisonwas originally cast asElphaba, withLucy Durackas Glinda. The original cast consisted ofRob Millsas Fiyero,Anthony Calleaas Boq,Rob Guestas the Wizard,Maggie Kirkpatrickas Madame Morrible,Penny McNameeas Nessarose and Rodney Dobson as Doctor Dillamond.Guest unexpectedly died of a stroke months into the Melbourne season, with the role being taken up byBert Newton.
Closing in Melbourne August 9, 2009, the show transferred toSydney'sCapitol Theatre. Previews began on September 5, 2009, with the official opening on September 12. Shortly into the run, Harrison was forced to leave the role of Elphaba due to an illness, so current standbyJemma Rixand Australian theatre veteranPippa Grandisonbegan to share the role, each appearing in four shows per week.Eventually, it was confirmed that Harrison would not be returning to the cast.
Closing in Sydney September 26, 2010, the production then embarked on a national Australian tour starting at theQPACLyric Theatre inBrisbane. After a two-week delay due to theQueensland floods, performances began January 25, 2011, and ran until April 2. Rix became the sole lead ElphabawithDavid Harrisjoining as the new Fiyero.The touring production then moved to the Festival Centre inAdelaide, running from April 14 until June 4, 2011, with the final leg of the tour playing the Burswood Theatre inPerth, from June 19 to September 11, 2011, after three years of performances in Australia.
The show made its premiere in New Zealand in 2013, with previews taking place on September 17, and official opening night on September 21. TheAucklandrun concluded on November 24, 2013, where it played the Civic Theatre.The cast then moved on to the Main Theater of theCultural Center of the PhilippinesinManilaon a limited run from January 22through March 9, 2014 after having been extended from its original closing date.
At the time of theWicked's 10th Anniversary on Broadway (2013), the show announced it would return to Australia for a commemorative national tour, beginning in Melbourne on May 10, 2014.Durack returned as Glinda, and Rix as Elphaba.The final cast included Mathers (who had returned once Durack announced her pregnancy)as Glinda, Rix as Elphaba, Steve Danielsen as Fiyero,Simon Gallaheras the Wizard, Edward Grey as Boq, Emily Cascarino as Nessarose, Glen Hogstrom as Doctor Dillamond and original cast member Maggie Kirkpatrick as Madame Morrible. After seven years and close to 2,000 performances across 8 different cities internationally,Wickedclosed indefinitely at the Burswood Theatre inPerthon June 28, 2015.
In 2023, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the original Broadway production the show returned to Australia once again, to theSydney Lyric Theatrewhere it opened on September 7. The cast included Sheridan Adams as Elphaba, Courtney Monsma as Glinda,Robyn Nevinas Madame Morrible,Todd McKenneyas the Wizard, Liam Head as Fiyero, Adam Murphy as Dr. Dillamond, Shewit Belay as Nessarose, and Kurtis Papadinis as Boq.In October 2023, it was announced that the production would return to theRegent Theatrein Melbourne opening on March 7.In March 2024, the production announced that they would then be transferring to the QPACLyric Theatrein Brisbane in September 2024 and in May 2024, they confirmed that it would tour to theCrown Theatrein Perth from December 2024.In August 2024, it was announced that following the conclusion of the Australian tour in late January 2025, the production will transfer to Singapore at the Sands Theatre inMarina Bayopening from March 19, 2025.
Wicked's international tour opened on July 13, 2016, at theAlhambra TheatreinBradford, England. Jacqueline Hughes starred asElphaba, with Carly Anderson asGlindaandBradley Jadenas Fiyero. Alongside themSteven Pinderas the Wizard and Doctor Dillamond andKim Ismayas Madame Morrible.Bradford was the only UK stop of the tour, which then performed inSingaporeand in other cities worldwide.Jodie Steelewas standby for Elphaba in this production.
A full Japanese production ofWickedby theShiki Theatre Companyopened in Tokyo, Japan, on June 17, 2007, and subsequently moved toOsaka,FukokaandNagoya, before closing inSapporoon November 6, 2016.To celebrate their 70th anniversary, the company produced a Japanese revival of the show from October 2023 to January 2024.An Asian tour began atSingapore's Grand Theater on December 6, 2011, with Australian actressesSuzie Mathersas Glinda andJemma Rixas Elphaba.It closed on October 6, 2012.
A Dutch-language production began previews at theCircustheaterinThe Hagueon October 26, 2011, and was produced by Joop van den Ende Theaterproducties/Stage Entertainment. Official opening took place on November 6.Willemijn Verkaikreprised her role of Elphaba from the German productions, becoming the first actress to play the role in two different languages.The first Korean-language production began performances inSeoulon November 22, 2013. It ran at the Charlotte Theater until October 5, 2014.In November 2015, the company "Time For Fun", a leading company in the entertainment market in Latin America, announced the first Portuguese adaptation of the musical to open in Brazil.The show debuted in March 2016 at the Renault Theatre in São Paulo and is performed on the largest stage that the musical has been mounted on yet.The production closed on December 18, 2016.
At the end of 2020, while all Wicked productions worldwide were halted due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, a third Korean production of the show was announced on November 14. The show started previews inSeoul's Blue Square Theater three months later on February 12, 2021, and was the firstWickedperformance worldwide after the COVID-19 shutdown. The production opened on February 16, 2021, and played until May 2, 2021. It then transferred toBusan's Dream Theater, where it ran from May 20, 2021, until its closing date on June 27, 2021.
Two days ahead of the release of the movie adaptation, aNorwegianproduction was announced, set to premiere atFolketeateret, Osloin March 2025.It will the first Norwegian production of the musicaland a replica production of 2024 Danish production.Norwegian singerAlexandra Rotanhas been cast as Glinda.
A condensed thirty-minute version of Wicked played atUniversal Studios JapaninOsaka, Japan in 2006. Australian actressJemma Rixwas once again part of the original cast of the show, alternating the role of Elphaba with Jillian Giaachi and Taylor Jordan. The show opened on July 12, 2006, and featured the preliminary storyline of Act 1 but the characters of Fiyero, Madame Morrible, Boq, Nessarose and Doctor Dillamond were absent, with considerable changes in the show's sets and costumes.It closed on January 11, 2011.
Another new staging opened at the City Theatre inHelsinki, Finland, on August 26, 2010. Directed by Hans Berndtsson and choreographed by Rebecca Evanne, the cast includedMaria Ylipääas Elphaba and Anna-Maija Tuokko as Glinda.
The second European production ran inCopenhagen, Denmarkfrom January 12 until May 29, 2011, and was presented byDet Ny Teater. It starred Maria Lucia Heiberg Rosenberg as Elphaba andAnnette Heickas Glinda.
A revival in Brazil had a limited run, starting March 9, 2023, at the Santander Theater, inSão Paulo, produced by Atelier de Cultura. Lead actresses from the 2016 run Myra Ruiz and Fabi Bang reprised their roles as Elphaba and Glinda, respectively. Their co-stars included Tiago Barbosa as Fiyero, Marcelo Médici as The Wizard, Diva Menner as Madame Morrible, Cleto Baccic as Doctor Dillamond, Nayara Venancio as Nessarose and Dante Paccola as Boq.Ruiz and Bang voiced Elphaba and Glinda in the dubbing for the 2024film adaptationof the show.
A Swedish production premiered on September 16, 2023, at theGothenburg opera house, starring Anna Salonen as Glinda andFeline Anderssonas Elphaba; the production is directed bySamuel Harjannewith translations done byCalle Norlén.
A new Danish production starred Johanne Milland as Glinda and Nanna Rossen as Elphaba. It opened September 16, 2024 at Fredericia Musicalteater. The production transferred to theTivoli Concert Hallfrom October 11 until 19 before returning to Fredericia Musicalteater for the remainder of its run. The production also starred Diluckshan Jeyaratnam as Fiyero, Anders Gjellerup Koch as The Wizard, Cecilie Thiim as Madame Morrible, Christian Lund as Dr. Dillamond, Marie Louise Hansen as Nessarose, and Jens Kau Wahlers Nielsen as Boq.
A Polish production is set to open at ROMA Musical Theatre in Warsaw in the spring of 2025. It will be directed by Wojciech Kępczyński and translated by Michał Wojnarowski.
A Spanish-language production is set to open at theNuevo Teatro AlcaláinMadrid,Spain, on October 3, 2025.
The original Broadway production ofWickedwas nominated for tenTony Awardsin 2004, including BestMusical,Book,Orchestrations,Original Score,Choreography,Costume Design,Lighting Design,Scenic Designwhile receiving two nominations forBest Actress– forMenzelandChenoweth.Menzel won the Best Actress award, and the show also won the Award for Best Scenic Design and Best Costume Design, notably losing Best Book, Original Score and ultimately Best Musical toAvenue Q.The same year, the show also won 6Drama Desk Awardsout of 11 nominations, including OutstandingMusical,Book,Director, andCostume Design.
Subsequent productions have received awards and nominations as well. The West End production received fiveLaurence Olivier Awardnominations, including Best Director, Best Set Design and Best Costume Designand later won theAudience Award for Most Popular Showat the 2010 and 2015 Olivier Awards.The original Australian production received sixHelpmann Awardsout of 12 nominations, includingBest Musical.Wickedwas named the Best Musical of the Decade byEntertainment Weeklymagazine and hailed "a cultural phenomenon" byVarietymagazine.While not technically an "award", the character of Elphaba was named 79th on Entertainment Weekly's list of The 100 Greatest Characters of the Past 20 Years.
In its out-of-town tryout in San Francisco, audience reaction was generally positive, and although critics tended to compliment the aesthetic and spectacle of the show, they disparaged the book, score, and choreography.Dennis Harvey ofVarietypraised the production as "sleekly directed", "snazzily designed", and "smartly cast", but disliked its "mediocre" book, "trite" lyrics, and "largely generic" music.Karen D'Souza of theSan Jose Mercury Newswrote that "style over substance is the real theme in this Emerald City".
The Broadway production opened on October 30, 2003, to mixed reviews.However, Chenoweth and Menzel received acclaim for their performances.Richard Zoglin ofTimewrote: "If every musical had a brain, a heart and the courage ofWicked, Broadway really would be a magical place."Elysa Gardner ofUSA Todaydescribed it as "the most complete, and completely satisfying, new musical I've come across in a long time".Conversely, Ben Brantley in theNew York Timesloved the production but panned the show itself, calling it a "sermon" that "so overplays its hand that it seriously dilutes its power", with a "generic" score. He noted that Glinda is such a showy role that the audience ends up rooting for her rather than the "surprisingly colorless" Elphaba, who is "nominally" the hero.Despite these mixed reviews, interest inWickedspread quickly by word-of-mouth, leading to record-breaking success at the box office. Speaking toThe Arizona Republicin 2006, Schwartz said, "What can I say? Reviews are reviews.... I know we divided the critics. We didn't divide the audience, and that's what counts."
The West End production opened to a slightly more upbeat response. The majority of critics have appreciated the spectacle of the lavish production, and the "powerhouse" performances of actors in the roles of the two witches. However, contemporaries have characterized the production as overblown, occasionally preachy, and suffering from more hype than heart. Although Charles Spencer ofThe Daily Telegraphdescribed it as "at times... a bit of a mess," he praised Holzman's script, described Kenneth Posner's lighting design as "magical" and lauded Menzel's Elphaba and Helen Dallimore's Glinda.Michael Billington ofThe Guardiangave it three out of five stars and remarked on the competence of all the lead actors; however, he complained thatWickedwas "all too typical of the modern Broadway musical: efficient, knowing and highly professional but more like a piece of industrial product than something that genuinely touches the heart or mind."Paul Taylor ofThe Independentcalled the topical political allegory "well-meaning but also melodramatic, incoherent and dreadfully superficial" and criticized the acting, songs and book, concluding that "the production manages to feel at once overblown and empty".
A review of a Chinese production in theShanghai Review of Bookswas very favorable.
Since its opening in 2003, the original Broadway production ofWickedhas broken the house record at theGershwin Theatretwenty times. It regularly grosses in excess of $1.6 million each week, making it one of the most lucrative productions on Broadway.With a $14 millioncapitalization, the Broadway production took 15 months to break even, earning back its initial investment by December 21, 2004.In its first year, it grossed more than $56 million.In the week ending January 1, 2006,Wickedbroke the record, previously held by the musicalThe Producers, for the highest weekly box office gross in Broadway history, earning $1,610,934.It has gone on to break its own record numerous times, reaching $1,715,155 in November 2006,$2,086,135 for the week ending November 29, 2009and over $2.2 million in the week ending January 2, 2011.In the first week of 2012, the Broadway production broke a record again, earning $2.7 million. In the final weekend of 2013,Wickedbecame the first musical to gross $3 million in one week.
Wicked'sproductions across North America and abroad have been equally financially successful. The Los Angeles production took the local weekly gross record, again from a performance ofThe Producers, bringing in $1,786,110 in the week ending March 4, 2007,with records also set in Chicago ($1,418,363),and St Louis ($2,291,608),to bring the collective gross of the seven worldwide productions to a world record-breaking $11.2 million.A new suite of records were set over Christmas 2010, with house records broken in San Francisco ($1,485,692), Providence ($1,793,764) and Schenectady ($1,657,139) as well as Broadway, bringing the musical's one-week gross in North America alone to $7,062,335.
Wickedplayed to more than 2 million visitors in Chicago with a gross of over $200 million, making it the highest-grossing show in Chicago history by June 2007.With an opening-week gross of $1,400,000, it continually set records and became the longest-running Broadway musical in Chicago history.Producer David Stone toldVariety, "we thought it [the Chicago production] would run 18 months, then we'd spend a year in Los Angeles and six months in San Francisco... but sales stayed so strong that the producers created another road show and kept the show running in Chicago."The Los Angeles production grossed over $145 million and was seen by more than 1.8 million patrons.Over the 672 performances of the San Francisco production,Wickedsold over 1 million tickets with a cumulative gross of over $75 million.While its Broadway production welcomed its 5 millionth audience member on September 29, 2010.
Although West End theatres do not publish audited weekly grosses,the West End production ofWickedsaid it had set the record for highest one-week gross in December 2006, taking £761,000 in the week ending December 30.On June 23, 2008, the producers reported that over 1.4 million people had seen the London production, and grosses had topped £50 million.The same reports stated that the show had consistently been one of the two highest-grossing shows in the West End.For the week commencing December 27, 2010, the London production grossed £1,002,885, the highest single-week gross in West End theatre history,with over 20,000 people attending the nine performances ofWickedthat week.The Melbourne production broke Australian box-office records, selling 24,750 tickets in three hours during pre-sales and grossing over $1.3 million on the first business day after its official opening.On April 27, 2009, the production passed the milestone of 500,000 patrons.When it transferred to Sydney, the production broke "all previous weekly box office records for a musical at theCapitol Theatre, grossing $1,473,775.70 in one week during October 2009.
By seats sold on Broadway,Wickedranks third of all time.The show celebrated its 7,486th performance on Broadway on April 11, 2023 (the show's 20th anniversary year), surpassingAndrew Lloyd Webber'sCatsas thefourth-longest-running Broadway show in history.Several other productions have also reached milestones such as the West End show inLondon, reaching 6512 performances on 22 September 2023,the North American tour surpassing 4,160 performancesand the Australian run of the show, that reached 1,000 performances.
The success of the Broadway production has led to the development of an auxiliary show for purposes of marketing and promotion titledBehind the Emerald Curtain. It was created bySean McCourt—an original Broadway production cast member who played the Witch's Father—and Anthony Galde, who was a long-runningswingin the Broadway company from 2004 to 2012. The tour features a ninety-minute behind-the-scenes look at the props, masks, costumes and sets used in the show, and includes a question-and-answer session with the cast members.The tour also featured in the Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago sit-down productions, and were each run by different long-serving cast members of the show. The tour provides a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into putting on the show every day. Participants get a first-hand account of what it is like to be a part of the massive production thatWickedis.To create Elphaba's green skin, 40 pots of the commercially available MAC Chromacake landscape green make-up are used per year. It is water-based for easy removal.As of 2021, it cost $800,000 a week to run the Broadway production.
In October 2018, an NBC broadcast,A VeryWickedHalloween: Celebrating 15 Years on Broadway, was hosted byMenzelandChenowethand featuredAriana Grande,Pentatonix,Adam Lambert,Ledisi, the current Broadway company of the musical and others, singing many of the musical numbers fromWickedto a live studio audience at theMarquis Theatrein New York. The concert special was directed byGlenn Weiss.
On August 29, 2021, thePBSnetwork aired aWickedconcert special, which was also hosted by Menzel and Chenoweth and featuredRita Moreno,Cynthia Erivo,Ariana DeBose,Gavin Creel,Ali Stroker,Amber Riley,Mario Cantone,Jennifer Nettles,Stephanie Hsu,Alex Newell,Isaac Cole PowellandGabrielle Ruizperforming many of the musical numbers.
A film adaptation ofWickedhad been discussed since 2004. In July 2010, it was reported thatJ. J. Abrams,James Mangold,Ryan Murphy, andRob Marshallwere under consideration to direct.By July 2012,Universal Studioswas reported to be producing the film,withStephen Daldryas director andWinnie Holzman, who wrote the musical's book, to pen the screenplay.Universal announced in 2016 that the film would be released in theaters on December 20, 2019, with Daldry still attached to direct, and the script to be co-written by the musical's creators, Holzman andSchwartz.In May 2017, Schwartz stated that the film would feature "at least two" new songs.On August 31, 2018, Universal put the film on hold, due to production scheduling, and gavethe film adaptationofCats, which became abox office bomb, the release date formerly held by the film.On February 8, 2019, Universal announced a new release date of December 22, 2021, for theWickedfilm.
On April 1, 2020, Universal put the film on hold once again due to Universal shifting release dates amidst theCOVID-19 pandemic, and gaveSing 2the 2021 release date.On October 20, 2020, it was announced that Daldry had left the production due to scheduling conflicts.In February 2021,Deadlinereported thatJon M. Chuhad signed on to direct the film adaptation.In July 2021, Schwartz stated that filming would begin in late 2021 inGeorgia, but filming was later postponed to March 2022 and again to June 2022.In November 2021,Ariana GrandeandCynthia Erivowere cast as Glinda and Elphaba respectively, withJonathan Baileyconfirmed to have been cast as Fiyero a year later.Production was originally set to begin in mid 2022 in the United Kingdom.
In April 2022, it was announced the film would be released in two parts,the firston November 22, 2024, andthe secondon November 21, 2025. Jon M. Chu explained that it "became impossible to wrestle the story of 'Wicked' into a single film without doing some real damage to it", so he made the decision to make two movies, to allow for more time to get to know the characters and not make any omissions from the source material.
The first film received praise from critics and was an immediate commercial success, making it the highest worldwide opening weekend grosser for a film based on a stage musical sinceLes Misérables(2012), and later became the highest-grossing musical film in the history of Universal Pictures and the highest-grossing musical film adaptation of all time, surpassingMamma Mia!(2008).It also became the first musical film to winBest Filmat theNational Board of ReviewsinceMoulin Rouge!(2001), as well as the first fantasy film to win this award.It would go on to earn ten nominations at the97th Academy Awards, includingBest Picture.
The success ofWickedhas made several of the show's songs popular and has resulted in references to the show, characters, and songs in popular culture. The Broadway production has been featured in episodes of television programs, includingBrothers & Sisters,Rules of Engagement, andThe War at Home.For filming purposes, the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles doubled for the Gershwin Theatre on Broadway inUgly Bettyin the episode "Something Wicked This Way Comes" in whichBetty, the show's protagonist, goes to seeWickedon a date.
"Defying Gravity" is featured in theGleeepisode "Wheels," where Rachel (Lea Michele) and Kurt (Chris Colfer) sing it separately in a competition for the lead solo from the first season.It was featured again in "100", the hundredth episode in the series. Media as diverse as the anime seriesRed Garden, the daytime dramaPassionsand theBuffy the Vampire Slayergraphic novelshave all parodiedWicked'ssongs and characters.
The satiric musicalThe Book of Mormonalso openly nods toWicked, particularly in the song "You and Me (But Mostly Me)", presenting two rivals-to-friends and notably ending with Elder Cunningham holding a tune reminding of the famous ending of Elphaba's "Defying Gravity".The Oscar-winning song "Let It Go" from the successful 2013Disneyfeature filmFrozen, that also won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, had been compared to "Defying Gravity" due to its similar theme and similar singing style,and was sung by the original ElphabaIdina Menzel.