Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz
Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz (or simply, Wicked) is a musical produced by Universal Studios with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman, based on Gregory Maguire's first novel of The Wicked Years series, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, published in 1995. It opened on Broadway on October 30, 2003, and is the highest-grossing musical to date. The original Broadway production eventually spawned productions in Busan, Chicago, Fukuoka, London, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Mexico City, Nagoya, Oberhasen, Osaka, Tokyo, San Francisco, Sao Paulo, Sapporo, Scheveningen, Seoul, Stuttgart, and Sydney, as well as two North American tours that have visited over 30 cities, two UK and Ireland tours, an Asian tour, a South Korean tour, an Australasian tour and an International tour. Today only Broadway, London and one North American tour are still running. There has also been Non-Replicated productions in Copenhagen, Helsinki Pragen and Japan's Universal Studios in Osaka, which have closed, with a brand new production in Hamburg.
The musical is based on Gregory Maguire's bestselling 1995 novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, and serves as a prologue to Lyman Frank Baum's 1900 classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (as well as its movie equivalent, MGM's 1939 The Wizard of Oz). It explains what happened before Dorothy Gale arrived in the Land of Oz.
The musical version of Wicked highlights the journey of two unlikely friends, Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda (the Good Witch), as they struggle with opposing personalities and viewpoints, rivalry over the same love interest, reactions to the Wizard's corrupt government, and ultimately, Elphaba's public fall from grace.
Wicked was produced by Universal Studios, in coalition with producers Marc Platt and David Stone; the production was directed by Joe Mantello, choreographed by Wayne Cilentro, and costumed by Susan Hilferty. Originally premiering in San Francisco's Curran Theatre on May 28, 2003, the production opened on Broadway on October 30 of the same year in Manhattan's Gershwin Theatre. It originally featured Idina Menzel as Elphaba, Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda, and Norbert Leo Butz as Fiyero. At the 2004 Tony Awards, the Broadway production was nominated for 10 awards, eventually winning three. It was also nominated for the Drama Desk awards, gathering eleven nominations and winning three; the West End production later also received 5 Laurence Olivier Awards.
According to Broadway.com, Wicked shifts from being the first- or second-most-grossing show in New York and is first in the West End, as well as being the 10th longest running Broadway show. Wicked has had 25 previews and 4544 shows as of September 28, 2014. Wicked has made a total of $868,505,846. A film adaptation of Wicked has been in talks since 2004 though producers have been waiting for a dip in the stage musical's earnings. Since 2012, Universal Studios were reported to produce the film with Stephen Daldry and Winnie Holzman, who wrote the musical's book, to pen the screenplay. in December 2012, Marc Platt announced that the film would "soon" be entering development stages, and following the success of Les Miserables (2012), it was expected to happen sooner rather then later.
Original Broadway Cast
Elphaba, The Wicked Witch of the West: Idina Menzel
Glinda, The Good Witch: Kristin Chenoweth
Fiyero, The Scarecrow: Norbert Leo Butz
Madame Morrible: Carole Shelley
Nessarose, The Wicked Witch of the East: Michelle Federer
Boq, The Tin Man: Christopher FitzGerald
Doctor Dillamond: William Youmans
Chistery: Manuel Herrera
Witch's Father: Sean Mcourt
Witch's Mother: Cristy Candler
Midwife: Jan Neuberger
Songs
Act I
- No One Mourns the Wicked – Glinda, Witch's Father, Witch's Mother, Lover, Midwife and Citizens
- Dear Old Shiz – Glinda and Students
- The Wizard and I – Madame Morrible and Elphaba
- What Is This Feeling? – Glinda, Elphaba and Students
- Something Bad – Doctor Dillamond and Elphaba
- Dancing Through Life – Fiyero, Glinda, Boq, Nessarose, Elphaba, and Students
- Popular – Glinda
- I'm Not That Girl – Elphaba
- One Short Day – Elphaba, Glinda and Denizens of the Emerald City
- A Sentimental Man – The Wizard
- Defying Gravity – Elphaba, Glinda, Guards and Citizens
Act II
- No One Mourns the Wicked (reprise) / Thank Goodness – Glinda, Madame Morrible and Citizens
- The Wicked Witch of the East – Nessarose, Elphaba, and Boq
- Wonderful – The Wizard and Elphaba
- I'm Not That Girl (reprise) – Glinda
- As Long as You're Mine – Elphaba and Fiyero
- No Good Deed – Elphaba
- March of the Witch Hunters – Boq (Tin Man) and Citizens
- For Good – Elphaba and Glinda
- Finale – Company
Awards
Broadway Production:
| Year | Award ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Broadway.com Audience Awards | Favorite Actress in a Musical | Idina Menzel | Won |
| Favorite Diva Performance | Won | |||
| Favorite Musical | Won | |||
| Favorite Onstage Pair | Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel | Won | ||
| Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Kristin Chenoweth | Nominated | |
| Idina Menzel | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Book of a Musical | Winnie Holzman | Won | ||
| Outstanding Costume Design | Susan Hilferty | Won | ||
| Outstanding Director of a Musical | Joe Mantello | Won | ||
| Outstanding Lighting Design | Kenneth Posner | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Lyrics | Stephen Schwartz | Won | ||
| Outstanding Music | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Musical | Won | |||
| Outstanding Orchestrations | William David Brohn | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Set Design | Eugene Lee | Won | ||
| Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance | Kristin Chenoweth | Nominated | |
| Idina Menzel | Nominated | |||
| Distinguished Production of a Musical | Won | |||
| Eddy Awards | Outstanding Costume Design | Susan Hilferty | Won | |
| Tony Awards | Best Actress in a Musical | Kristin Chenoweth | Nominated | |
| Idina Menzel | Won | |||
| Best Book of a Musical | Winnie Holzman | Nominated | ||
| Best Choreography | Wayne Cilento | Nominated | ||
| Best Costume Design | Susan Hilferty | Won | ||
| Best Lighting Design | Kenneth Posner | Nominated | ||
| Best Musical | Nominated | |||
| Best Orchestrations | William David Brohn | Nominated | ||
| Best Original Score | Stephen Schwartz | Nominated | ||
| Best Scenic Design | Eugene Lee | Won | ||
| Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Idina Menzel | Nominated | |
| Kristin Chenoweth | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Broadway Musical | Won | |||
| Outstanding Choreography | Wayne Cilento | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Costume Design | Susan Hilferty | Won | ||
| Outstanding Director of a Musical | Joe Mantello | Won | ||
| Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Joel Grey | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Carole Shelley | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Lighting Design | Kenneth Posner | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Set Design | Eugene Lee | Won | ||
| 2005 | Broadway.com Audience Awards | Favorite Female Replacement | Shoshana Bean | Nominated |
| Jennifer Laura Thompson | Won | |||
| Favorite Long-Running Show | Won | |||
| Favorite Male Replacement | Joey McIntyre | Won | ||
| Grammy Awards | Best Musical Show Album | Wicked (Original Broadway Cast Recording) | Won | |
| 2006 | Broadway.com Audience Awards | Favorite Female Replacement | Eden Espinosa | Won |
| Megan Hilty | Nominated | |||
| Carol Kane | Nominated | |||
| Rue McClanahan | Nominated | |||
| Favorite Long-Running Show | Won | |||
| Favorite Male Replacement | Ben Vereen | Won | ||
| 2007 | Favorite Female Replacement | Julia Murney | Nominated | |
| Favorite Long-Running Show | Won | |||
| Favorite Male Replacement | Sebastian Arcelus | Nominated | ||
| 2008 | Favorite Female Replacement | Annaleigh Ashford | Nominated | |
| Stephanie J. Block | Nominated | |||
| Favorite Long-Running Show | Nominated | |||
| 2009 | Favorite Female Breakthrough Performance | Kerry Ellis | Won | |
| Favorite Long-Running Show | Won | |||
| Favorite Male Replacement | Aaron Tveit | Nominated | ||
| 2010 | Favorite Female Replacement | Mandy Gonzalez | Won | |
| Favorite Long-Running Broadway Show | Won | |||
| Favorite Male Replacement | Andy Karl | Nominated | ||
| 2011 | Favorite Long-Running Show | Won | ||
The National Tours:
Year |
Award ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Helen Hayes Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Non-Resident Production | Stephanie J. Block | Won |
| Kendra Kassebaum | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Non-Resident Production | Nominated | |||
| Touring Broadway Awards | Best Musical Score | Stephen Schwartz | Won | |
| Best New Musical | Won | |||
| Best Production Design | Eugene Lee, Susan Hilferty, Kenneth Posner | Won | ||
| 2011 | Broadway.com Audience Awards | Favorite Tour | Won | |
The Chicago production:
| Year | Award ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Joseph Jefferson Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Principal Role – Musical | Ana Gasteyer | Nominated |
| Kate Reinders | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role – Musical | Rondi Reed | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Director – Musical | Joe Mantello | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Production – Musical | Nominated | |||
The London Production
| Year | Award ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Lastminute.com People's Choice Theatre Awards | Favourite Musical | Won | |
| Favourite New Theatre Moment | "Defying Gravity" | Won | ||
| Favourite Theatre | Apollo Victoria Theatre | Won | ||
| Favourite Theatre Actress | Kerry Ellis | Nominated | ||
| Laurence Olivier Awards | Best Costume Design | Susan Hilferty | Nominated | |
| Best Director | Joe Mantello | Nominated | ||
| Best Lighting Design | Kenneth Posner | Nominated | ||
| Best Set Design | Eugene Lee | Nominated | ||
| Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Awards | Best Actress in a Musical | Idina Menzel | Won | |
| Best Set Designer | Eugene Lee | Won | ||
| Best Supporting Actress in a Musical | Miriam Margolyes | Won | ||
| Superbreak Best New Musical | Won | |||
| 2008 | Best Takeover in a Role | Kerry Ellis | Won | |
| Dianne Pilkington | Nominated | |||
| 2009 | Women of the Future Awards | Women of the Future Art and Culture | Alexia Khadime and Dianne Pilkington | Won |
| 2010 | Laurence Olivier Awards | Most Popular Show (Audience Award) | Won | |
| Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Awards | Best West End Show | Won | ||
| 2011 | Best Takeover in a Role | Lee Mead | Nominated | |
| Rachel Tucker | Won | |||
| Best West End Show | Won | |||
The Melbourne Production
| Year | Award ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Green Room Awards | Best Artistic Direction of a Musical | Susan Hilferty and Eugene Lee | Won |
| Best Choreography of a Musical | Wayne Cilento | Nominated | ||
| Best Director of a Musical | Lisa Leguilliou | Nominated | ||
| Best Featured Actress in a Musical | Penny McNamee | Won | ||
| Best Leading Actress in a Musical | Lucy Durack | Nominated | ||
| Amanda Harrison | Nominated | |||
| Best Lighting and Sound of a Musical | Kenneth Posner | Won | ||
| Best Musical | Nominated | |||
| Best Musical Direction of a Musical | Kellie Dickerson | Won | ||
| 2009 | Helpmann Awards | Best Choreography in a Musical | Wayne Cilento | Won |
| Best Costume Design | Susan Hilferty | |||
| Won | |||
| Best Direction of a Musical | Lisa Leguillou | Won | |
| Best Female Actor in a Musical | Amanda Harrison | Nominated | |
| Lucy Durack | Nominated | ||
| Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical | Maggie Kirkpatrick | Nominated | |
| Best Lighting Design | Kenneth Posner | Nominated | |
| Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical | Rob Guest | Won | |
| Best Musical | Won | ||
| Best Original Score | Stephen Schwartz | Nominated | |
| Best Scenic Design | Eugene Lee | Won | |
| Best Sound Design | Tony Meola | Nominated | |
| Sydney Theatre Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical | Amanda Harrison | Nominated |
| Lucy Durack | Nominated | ||
| Best Production of a Musical | Nominated | ||
Trivia
- Wicked uses 250 pounds of dry ice per show on Broadway and they probably use 200 pounds per show on the road.
- The electrics department uses enough power to supply approximately twelve houses. Including the sound and automation departments, the total would increase to eighteen houses.
- Wicked uses 3-5 miles of cable in the electrics department on Broadway and they'll probably use 4-5 miles of cable on the road.
- 100,000 feet of steel cable have been used to restring the flying monkey wings during year one of the Broadway run.
- The carpentry department on Broadway has about 175,000 pounds of scenery and they use about five miles of cable to automate it.
- The dragon's eyes are red LED bulbs that never burn out.
- The dragon's wingspan is the same as Cessna 172.
- The dragon is named Ozwald.
- The play is advertised under the tagline "So much happened before Dorothy dropped in."
- Elphaba's green makeup is actually eyeliner, put on using oversized brushes.
- Both witches (Elphaba and Glinda), were featured on the TV show, Glee.
- Wicked is featured in an episode of the podcast "Musicals with Cheese" on January 25, 2019.
Praise
"Best musical of the decade." Entertainment Weekly
"The defining musical of the decade." New York Times
"A cultural phenomenon." Variety
Wicked in Popular Culture
The extraordinary success of Wicked has made several of the show's songs popular and has resulted in references to the show, characters, and songs in popular culture. Wicked on Broadway and in international productions has been featured or parodied on televison shows such as Brothers and Sisters, The War at Home, Ugly Betty, The Simpsons, South Park, and was continously featured on Glee.
The Dutch cast of Wicked appeared in an episode of the daily soap Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden. In this episode, Elphaba (Willemijn Verkaik), Glinda, Madame Morrible, Fiyero and The Wizard appear in a dream of GTST character Lucas Sanders (played by Ferry Doedens, alternate Fiyero). The episode aired on June 29th, 2012.
The Broadway musical, Shrek the Musical parodies the show's Act I finale with "What's Up, Duloc?"; character Lord Farquaad re-enacts "Defying Gravity" by shouting "No one's gonna bring me down" followed by the infamous belt of Elphaba's while atop his castle.
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