still defying gravity after 20 years!
This is Oz, but not as you know it! If you're wondering what the wonderful land of Oz was like before Dorothy dropped in, then Wicked has all the answers. Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked is the story of the unlikely friendship between the Wicked Witch of the West and The Good Witch, and how their stories formed the World of Oz.
One of modern theater's biggest hits, Wicked has now grossed over $1 billion at the Broadway box office, and its various productions have been seen by over 50 million people worldwide. It's not hard to see why, with Stephen Schwartz's now-iconic songs ('Defying Gravity', 'Popular' and 'As Long As You're Mine') providing the perfect soundtrack to this exuberant tale of teenage love, friendship and magic. Plus, who doesn't want to take another trip into the wonderful land of Oz?
What is Wicked About?
Our story begins in the hallowed halls of Oz's Shiz University, where we meet the Elphaba. Born with green skin, she has been made an outcast, by everyone including her own father, but deep within Elphaba is a great power that's just waiting to be set free. Unfortunately, her time at college gets off to a rocky start when she's given a new roommate - the perky, more perfect-than-perfect Glinda. In the beginning, the two absolutely despise each other, but after a simple act of kindness at a party, they realize that they may not be so different after all.
Over the course of their studies, they become firm friends, but when Elphaba uncovers a sinister plot that could destroy the whole world of Oz, she must choose between keeping her friend or learning how to become... Wicked!
Did you know?
The song 'Unlimited/I'm Limited' contains a sneakily hidden tribute to The Wizard of Oz. If you listen really close, you might be able to pick out the first seven notes of 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow'!