After its 2003 opening at New York City’s Gershwin Theater, “Wicked” became a runaway hit. In April 2023, in the wake of “The Phantom of the Opera” ending its run as Broadway’s longest-running musical, “Wicked” surged ahead to become the fourth longest-running musical in history with its 7,486 performances — unseating “Cats.” At this time, the “Wizard of Oz”-spinoff’s run is only surpassed by “Chicago,” “The Lion King,” and, still, “Phantom of the Opera.”
Changing the perspective of the familiar story of “The Wizard of Oz,” “Wicked” shows us life from the perspective of the Wicked Witch of the West. She’s introduced to us as Elphaba, a teenager struggling with her fate as an outcast with green skin. After finding an unlikely friend in Glinda, Elphaba runs afoul of Oz’s corrupt government, dividing the friends for years.
The musical is one of the most spectacle-packed experiences on Broadway, especially the Act 1 finale, where Elphaba first soars on her broom and belts out the triumphant anthem “Defying Gravity.” Watching this play out on the big screen over two films will definitely be exciting.
“Wicked Part 1” will belts its colorful story into theaters on November 27, 2024.
