Even if you havent seen wicked, youll be fascinated by the details and complexities that go into a major broadway production. Says schwartz, i will tell you 100 percent there will be. Based on the 1995 novel by gregory maguire, the musical tells a magical story about friendship. Broadway performances suspended due to concerns for public health and safety, all shows have been canceled through june 7. Wicked is a 2003 broadway musical by stephen schwartz and book by winnie holzman.
It is a revisionist exploration of the characters and land of oz from the 1900 novel the wonderful wizard of oz by l. The longawaited wicked movie adaptation will be released on dec. So she works with the actors and the backstage crew there are about 120 people on wicked. And then there is the little green skinned girl named elphaba, who will grow up to be the infamous wicked. The life and times of the wicked witch of the west published in 1995, itself a retelling of the classic 1900 novel, the wonderful wizard of oz by l.
Ive been to a lot of broadway theaters, but the gershwin theater is really made for audiences. Tour and two concurrent north american national tours. Each title in the applause libretto library series presents a broadway musica. Playwright winnie holzman my so called life has adapted gregory maguires bestselling novel of the same title and paired it with new music and lyrics by stephen schwartz godspell, pippin, to create a show about the untold story of glinda, the good witch, and elphaba, the wicked witch of the west. The life and times of the wicked witch of the west wicked. Long before dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emeraldgreen skinsmart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent. Winnie holtzmans book for the musical is more familyfriendly than. The official database for broadway theatre information wicked broadway musical original ibdb.
When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest. But be warned that the book is very different to the musical, with dark themes and adult. Released on december 16, 2003 by decca broadway both in physical and digital releases. Modesto ca native lindsay pearce was cast as the lead in wicked on broadway in new york. Wicked is a broadway musical by stephen schwartz and book by winnie holzman. Wicked, the broadway sensation, looks at what happened in the land of. Wicked broadway tickets, news, info, photos, videos.
The life and times of the wicked witch of the west by gregory maguire he has also written other flips on stories, confession of an ugly stepsister cinderella and mirror mirror snow white. There have been moments in the history of musical theater when, like a twister, the sheer talent and whirling spectacle of a production have flattened any negative criticism that stood to get in its way. Brilliantly inventive, wicked offers us a radical new evaluation of one of the most feared and hated. The complete book and lyrics of the broadway musical by. Each complete book and lyrics is approved by the writers and attractively designed with color photo inserts from the broadway production. According to the 1900 edition of the original book by author and oz series originator lyman frank baum, there are four witches in the land of oz. I was introduced to the music of the broadway musical wicked not that long ago, and was. Wicked is a prequel to the wizard of oz and goes through the life of elphaba who is a nice girl until the disapproval of society turns her wicked. Now a beloved classic, wicked is the basis for a blockbuster tony awardwinning broadway musical.
She made her broadway debut as the first actress to play elphabas wheelchairbound sister nessarose. The life and times of the wicked witch of the west. Wicked has won over 100 major awards around the world, including 10 theatregoervoted whatsonstage awards and two olivier audience awards in the. Wicked, the broadway sensation, looks at what happened in the land of ozbut from a different angle. Stephen daldry billy elliot will direct a feature film adaptation, from a screenplay by writer winnie holzman my so called life and composerlyricist stephen schwartz godspell, who respectively wrote the book, and the music and lyrics for the broadway musical. The story of wicked is about a young girl elphaba who.
Wicked, the broadway musical, is a spectacular and colorful yet at the same time dark show that will amaze and mesmerize you for two and a half hours. The life and times of the wicked witch of the west by. Broadway theatre, also known simply as broadway, refers to the theatrical performances presented in the 41 professional theatres, each with 500 or more seats, located in the theater district and lincoln center along broadway, in midtown manhattan, new york city. To really answer the question what is wicked about. Latecomers are seated at the discretion of management. Holzman my socalled life has adapted gregory maguires bestselling novel of the same title. Discover the untold true story of the witches of oz at broadways biggest blockbusterwicked. In 2003, the first novel in the series was adapted as the broadway musical wicked.
Wicked new york city 2020 all you need to know before. This is an extremely popular broadway venue, and the american theatre hall of fame is even located in the lobby, which helps attract large audiences. Discover the untold true story of the witches of oz at broadway s biggest blockbuster wicked. Whether youre popping into the city just for the show or working a performance into your weeklong itinerary, there are certain things that you need to know to make sure everything goes perfectly. Having seen the show six times both tours and san francisco before finally making it to broadway i can say the show here just seems more powerful, the cast more enticing, and acoustics more amazing. Gregory maguires novel wicked colors in the background and provides a sensational history for many of the characters in baums classic 1900 novel the wonderful wizard of oz. And then there is the little greenskinned girl named elphaba, who will grow up to be the infamous wicked. A wicked movie is officially coming to theaters in 2021.
The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. She gives elphaba an ancient book of spells, called the grimmerie, which only the magically gifted can read. Modesto ca native lands dream broadway role wicked lead. Yes, there is a missing witch from the baum oz books. Winnie holzman musical book, winnie holzman screenplay 1 more credit. Wicked currently has eight productions around the world besides broadway. Wicked looks at what happened in the land of ozbut from a different angle. We even had the opportunity to go backstage before the show to see the dressing rooms and also set foot on the stage. What are the names of all the actresses who have played. Though there have been numerous literary analyses of baums oz as a coded case for populism and agrarian reform, the book never feels like a tract. If you want to read the story of wicked, i highly recommend ms. Wicked history the making of wicked stephen schwartz. The basis for the smash hit tony awardwinning broadway musical, gregory maguires breathtaking new york times bestseller wicked views the land of oz, its inhabitants, its wizard, and the emerald city, through a darker and greener not rosier.
You can purchase tickets and read more about it right here. Wicked is a cast recording containing the majority of the songs from the tony awardwinning broadway musical wicked, with music and lyrics by composer stephen schwartz and a book by writer winnie holzman. Being the first broadway musical ive ever watched, wicked will always have a special place in my heart. Patrons stand out in line, resulting in a rush for the restrooms, rush to continue reading wicked on broadway.
S production overview e t o a field guide for teachers a. Everyone knows the story about dorothy, her infamous ruby red slippers, and her adventures in the land of oz, but not all people know the history of her emerald green nemesis, the witch of the west, and how she became so wicked. Wicked, the first book in the series inspired the acclaimed broadway musical of the same name. The broadway show wicked is an adaptation of the best selling novel by gregory maguire, wicked. To learn about wicked the musical, you need to first know that wicked was translated from page to stage through gregory maguires novel. The wicked witch of the east had a small role in the l. Wicked cast members, creative team, and members of the original company and orchestra some of whom are still performing in wicked. A cautionary tale about love, friendship and trust, wicked effortlessly reveals that there are indeed two sides to every story. Winnie holtzmans book for the musical is more familyfriendly than maguires somewhat darker novel.
Wicked original, musical, broadway opened in new york city oct 30, 2003 and is currently playing. Michelle federer nessarose michelle federer has been in wicked not once, but twice. Perhaps if youd read the book before seeing the musical youd have. Seeing a broadway show is a quintessential new york experience. Its been out for a while because my friend just read it in paperback. In contrast to the classic baum book, in wicked, were told that the wicked witch of the west was once a. Gregory maguire is the new york times bestselling author of confessions of an ugly stepsister. There was a second kindly old lady that was the good witch of the north. Oct 30, 2003 current broadway credits include the book of mormon, wicked, mamma mia, and the phantom of the opera.
This alternate view of the world of oz was first depicted in the 1995 novel wicked. Aug 06, 2016 wicked is based off of the book the wizard of oz by l. Long before dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the land of oz. The life and times of the wicked witch of the west is a novel published in 1995, written by gregory maguire and illustrated by douglas smith. Frank baum, its sequels, and the 1939 film adaption the wizard of oz. Wicked tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the wicked witch of the west and glinda the good. Long before dorothy arrives, there is another girl, born with emeraldgreen skinsmart.
The book was adapted into a musical with music and lyrics by stephen schwartz pocahontas and book by winnie holzman my so called life. Behind a longrunning broadway musical there is a novel that reimagined. Since its debut, the broadway show has won three tony awards and is now the. For those of you who arent familiar with the premise of the book, its a retelling of the wonderful wizard of oz from a new point of view the wicked witch of the west. The novels follow the wicked witch of the west, her friends, relatives, and enemies, through several decades as they witness some of ozs most turbulent times. Sep 06, 2012 wicked has won over 100 major awards around the world, including 10 theatregoervoted whatsonstage awards and two olivier audience awards in the uk. No cast has been announced yet, and likely wont be for some time. Tickets for wicked on broadway can be very affordable. Each title in the applause libretto library series presents a broadway musical with fresh packaging in a 6 x 9 trade paperback format.
And she brought down the house nightly with a number called, appropriately, grandmas song. Wicked tickets are known to sell out fast, and sameday tickets may not be available. Feb 28, 2017 at the end of the day, wicked is a story about two infamous witches, but its also a musical about so much more. Wicked broadway wicked, the broadway sensation, looks at what happened in the land of oz. Your guides will take you through the creative process of a broadway show, giving firsthand accounts of the birth of a new musical. Having first seen a show on broadway over 40 years ago, and seen touring broadway casts in the meantime, wicked is my all time favorite. There is almost as much to be admired about our principal as there is to be pondered such as the ever present battle of good versus evil. When the studio announced the change, universal noted that the movie will be redated soon to accommodate production scheduling. Wicked celebrates 10 years on broadway on october 30, 20.
Also many other broadway shows, including shrek the musical, cats, elf, and the worldrenowned dance of the vampires. The completed version of wicked opened at the gershwin theatre on october 30th, 2003. The life and times of the wicked witch of the west by gregory maguire. In the broadway musical wicked, the wicked witch of the west is also named elphaba. There is scedueled to be a wicked movie in a year or 2 according to imdb, but it will be based on the musical that is based on the book, not the book itself. Long before dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with. Broadway in chicago is pleased to announce wicked, broadways biggest blockbuster and chicagos most popular musical, will return to chicagos oriental theatre 24 w randolph during the holiday season for a limited sevenweek engagement dec. Frank baum wicked was a hit on broadway and won awards such as tonys and grammys. Dec 26, 2010 you can read the novel the musical was based on wicked. Are they going to make a movie of wicked the broadway musical. This event is great for diehard broadway fans and newcomers alike. As the home base for wicked this venue hit the highest oneweek box office income gained by any show in broadway history, as of 20. Luckily that all changed in 2003 when wicked came to broadway, as a brand new musical about the witches of oz. Jul 10, 2017 i called my lawyer, and i said, theres this book.
The past valley talent project winner will play elphaba, aka the wicked witch of the west, in the. When dorothy triumphed over the wicked witch of the west in l. I would again warn parents that wicked is not a childs tale. The musical which has been running continuously on broadway since it opened on oct. It opened on broadway on october 30, 2003, and is the highest grossing musical to date. One, born with emeraldgreen skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. May 11, 2011 wicked on the inside the thinking persons guide to this broadway spectacle.
The story of how a greenskinned woman framed by the wizard of oz becomes the wicked witch of the west. London, tokyo, auckland, seoul and mexico city, plus a u. Universal filled the date previously held by wicked with another broadwaytobigscreen adaptation. The children call maguire ba which is not an abbreviation of. Wicked on broadway has been casting a spell over its audience since 2003. Wicked, based on the 1995 book by gregory maguire, is a reverse trip down the yellow brick road to before dorothy ever landed in oz, before there.
Glinda was the witch of the south in the original book. Oct 31, 2003 though there have been numerous literary analyses of baums oz as a coded case for populism and agrarian reform, the book never feels like a tract. It has been running continuously and as of 20, it is the 12th longest running show in broadway history. In a nutshell, it is the life story of elphalba, the wicked witch of the west. Smash broadway musical wicked opens at playhouse square. The basis for the smash hit tony awardwinning broadway musical, gregory maguires breathtaking new york times bestseller wicked views the land of oz, its inhabitants, its wizard, and the emerald city, through a darker and greener not rosier lens. Frank baums wonderful world of oz long before dorothys house crashed down, with a whole different point of view. He attempts to explain why the witch is perceived as wicked, how she came to own the west, how she came to be called a witch, etc. The fact that wicked has been on broadway for more than 15 years already shows its remarkable popularity even today. Some theaters dont allow you in before the show, resulting in the long lines you see when walking down the streets around times square. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. Frank baum and the metrogoldwynmayer film the wizard of oz 1939. We recommend booking etickets tickets ahead of time to secure your spot. You can buy a book called wicked, the broadway musical by winnie holzman with the story told in the musical.