Wicked (musical)

Wicked (musical). The musical is based on the novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, which is an alternative telling of the classic story The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. The show features music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and a book by Winnie Holzman, with influences from Broadway theatre and West End theatre. The musical has been performed in numerous cities around the world, including New York City, London, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Sydney, with productions at venues such as the Gershwin Theatre, Apollo Victoria Theatre, and Orpheum Theatre.

Background

The idea for the musical was conceived by Marc Platt, who optioned the rights to Gregory Maguire's novel, and Universal Pictures, which had acquired the film rights to the book. Stephen Schwartz was approached to write the music and lyrics, and Winnie Holzman was brought on board to write the book, with input from Joe Mantello, who would later direct the show. The creative team drew inspiration from various sources, including The Wizard of Oz (1939 film), The Wiz, and Jesus Christ Superstar, as well as the works of Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. The musical's development involved collaborations with Idina Menzel, Kristin Chenoweth, and Norbert Leo Butz, among others, with support from organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts and the Drama Desk.

Production History

The musical premiered at San Francisco's Curran Theatre in May 2003, directed by Joe Mantello and choreographed by Wayne Cilento, with a cast that included Idina Menzel as Elphaba and Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda. The show then opened on Broadway at the Gershwin Theatre in October 2003, with a cast that included Norbert Leo Butz as Fiyero and Carole Shelley as Madame Morrible. The musical has since been performed in numerous productions around the world, including the West End production at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, which opened in 2006, and productions in Australia, Canada, and Japan, with involvement from companies such as Mirvish Productions and Shiki Theatre Company. The show has been seen by millions of people, including audiences at The Kennedy Center, The Sydney Opera House, and The National Theatre.

Music

The musical features a range of songs, including Defying Gravity, Popular, and For Good, which have become popular standards, with recordings by artists such as Idina Menzel, Kristin Chenoweth, and Pentatonix. The music was written by Stephen Schwartz, who drew inspiration from a variety of sources, including classical music, jazz, and pop music, with influences from composers such as Leonard Bernstein and John Kander. The show's orchestrations were written by William David Brohn, with input from Paul Bogaev and Alex Lacamoire, and have been performed by orchestras such as the New York Pops and the London Symphony Orchestra. The musical's score has been praised for its complexity and emotional depth, with comparisons to the works of Sondheim and Lloyd Webber.

Plot

The musical tells the story of Elphaba, a young woman with emerald green skin, and her relationship with Glinda, a popular and beautiful witch, as they meet at Shiz University and become roommates, with a cast of characters that includes Fiyero, Madame Morrible, and The Wizard of Oz. The show explores themes of friendship, love, and prejudice, with a narrative that is both a prequel and a sequel to the classic story The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, drawing parallels with works such as The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. The plot is full of twists and turns, with surprises and revelations that challenge the audience's expectations, and features references to historical events such as the Witch Trials and the French Revolution.

Characters

The musical features a range of characters, including Elphaba, Glinda, Fiyero, and The Wizard of Oz, each with their own unique personality and backstory, with influences from literature and history, including Shakespeare and Greek mythology. The characters are complex and multi-dimensional, with flaws and strengths that make them relatable and human, and have been portrayed by a variety of actors, including Idina Menzel, Kristin Chenoweth, and Norbert Leo Butz, with notable performances by Julia Murney, Shoshana Bean, and Kerry Ellis. The characters' relationships with each other drive the plot and themes of the show, with a focus on the bond between Elphaba and Glinda, and the romantic relationships between Elphaba and Fiyero and Glinda and Fiyero.

Reception

The musical has received widespread critical acclaim, with praise for its music, lyrics, and performances, from critics such as Ben Brantley and Charles Isherwood of The New York Times, and Paul Taylor of The Independent. The show has won numerous awards, including Tony Awards, Drama Desk Awards, and Grammy Awards, with recognition from organizations such as the Outer Critics Circle and the Theatre World Awards. The musical has been a commercial success, with productions around the world and a large and dedicated fan base, with support from companies such as Ticketmaster and Telecharge. The show's impact on popular culture has been significant, with references in TV shows such as Glee and The Simpsons, and films such as Frozen and Maleficent, with influences from Disney and Pixar. Category:Musicals