Wicked the Musical is currently back in Atlanta at the Fabulous Fox Theatre playing February 18th until March 8th. The story is based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West and has been turned into one of Broadway’s highest grossing productions. Maguire’s book is known for the dark declaration on the Wicked Witch of the West and her friend Glinda, but the musical has been enlightened audiences so that it can be easily followed and enjoyed. Wicked is a show that will open your mind and expand your knowledge of what you know of the Wizard of Oz and you will become aware of how your favorite characters obtained their names along with why things happened the way that they did.
Wicked centers around Elphaba and Glinda who meet at Shiz University where they start out as roommates as well as awkward enemies. Elphaba is born green and outspoken and Glinda is the beautiful preppy blonde who befriends Elphaba and thus a journey begins. During the duration of the musical a friendship is tested and tried and musical numbers weave the history of the two most famous witches of Oz into what we now know of them. Many will connect with the story because you will fly back to school and step into the cliques you were once part of. Audience members will also recollect that one point in their life they had to choose their own path instead of joining the ever so “popular” bandwagon.
The show features famous musical theatre anthems such as : The Wizard and I, Dancing Through Life, Popular, Defying Gravity, As Long As You’re Mine and For Good , just to name a few. The Munchkinland Touring Cast which is performing at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta include the talents of: Carrie St. Louis (Glinda), Alyssa Fox (Elphaba), Liana Hunt (Nessarose) , Lee Slobotkin (Boq), Kristine Zbornik (Madame Morrible), Ashley Angel Parker (Fiyero), John Davidson (the Wizard) and a remarkable ensemble of sixteen who bring the magic of Oz to life.
Wicked is sure to mesmerize you with it’s spectacular lighting and set design as well as with the live orchestra that plays in the pit. The entire evening will overwhelm you with appreciation for the performing arts and those brave enough to be part of a show of this magnitude. If you are a theatre lover and wish to be enthralled with one of Broadway’s most prized musicals, I highly recommend Wicked. Even though the musical centers around two women, men can also connect with this classic tale. Regardless of gender, the show is sure to entertain you and will open your eyes and ears to musical theatre in a way you’ve never seen or heard it before.
A Quick History of Wicked: the Musical
Wicked is produced by Marc Platt, Jon B. Platt, Universal Stage Porductions , David Stone, as well as the Araca Group. The brilliant lyrics and music are by the one and only, Stephen Schwartz who is well known for his musical work in Disney’s Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame . Winnie Holzman, the book writer adapted Maguire’s novel into a full stage production which originally opened in San Francisco for a pre-Broadway “tryout” before it headed to the Great White Way in 2003.
The musical moved to 222 W 51st Street at the Gershwin Theatre where it opened on Broadway the day before Halloween in 2003. The original cast was led by Idina Menzel who portrayed Elphaba “the Wicked Witch of the West,” Kristin Chenoweth who “popularized” the role of Glinda the Good, Nortbert Leo Butz as Fiyero, Carole Shelley as Madame Morrible and the legendary Joel Grey as the “Wonderful Wizard of Oz”. The show later earned three Tony Awards in 2004 for the categories of: Best Actress in a musical (Idinal Mezel), Best Costume Design (Susan Hilferty) and Best Scenic Design (Eugene Lee). It is still running in New York City today to sold out audiences with rotating casts.
Along with playing in New York on Broadway at the Gershwin Theatre, the show currently has two US National Touring companies ( the Munchkinland Tour and the Emerald City Tour). Wicked is also on tour across the United Kingdom and has taken residence at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in London.
Tickets for Wicked can be purchased at:
The Fabulous Fox Theatre in Atlanta’s webpage: www.foxtheatre.org or at www.ticketmaster.com.
Shows are selling out fast, so buy your tickets today!
