Leslie Massey
The Broadway musical Wicked, which offers a unique take on the Land of Oz, has been a huge success in Australia. The original Australian production, which debuted in 2008, won six Helpmann Awards and broke box-office records. After a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, Wicked returned to Australia in 2023, playing in Sydney and Perth. With its impressive technical production, elaborate costumes, and gravity-defying sets, Wicked has captivated audiences of all ages and introduced many to the world of musical theatre. A film adaptation of the musical is also in the works, with the first part scheduled for release in 2024.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current availability of tickets | No upcoming shows found |
| Past locations in Australia | Melbourne, Sydney, Perth |
| Awards | 6 Helpmann Awards, Best Musical of the Decade by Entertainment Weekly magazine, "a cultural phenomenon" by Variety magazine |
| Audience reception | Positive reviews, praise for set, costumes, lighting, special effects, and music |
| Age recommendation | 8 years and up |
| Adaptation | Two-part film adaptation starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, with the first part released in 2024 and the second in 2025 |
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What You'll Learn
Wicked's return to Australia in 2023
Wicked Returns to Australia in 2023
Wicked, the Broadway musical sensation, is set to return to Australia in 2023, thrilling fans with its unique take on the Land of Oz. This time, the musical will cast its magic in Sydney, playing at the Sydney Lyric Theatre from August 2023.
A Blockbuster Returns
The return of Wicked to Australian shores marks a significant comeback for pre-COVID blockbusters. The musical first premiered in Australia in 2008, enjoying a successful seven-year run with over 2,000 performances. The original Australian production garnered critical acclaim, winning six Helpmann Awards in 2009, including Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, and Best Choreography.
A Spectacular Extravaganza
Wicked is renowned for its spectacular production values, boasting intricate and elaborate costumes, gravity-defying sets, and over 100 wigs used in the show. The musical is a technical masterpiece, captivating audiences with its combination of stunning visuals and captivating music.
A Story for All Ages
At its heart, Wicked is a timeless tale of female friendship, exploring the unlikely bond between two young women in the Land of Oz. One is born with emerald-green skin, smart and fiery, while the other is a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular. Their initial rivalry transforms into a deep friendship, only to be torn apart as one is labelled "good" and the other "wicked." This universal story has broad appeal, attracting audiences of all ages and even those who don't typically enjoy musicals.
A Cinematic Journey
The impact of Wicked extends beyond the stage, with a highly anticipated two-part film adaptation in the works. The first part, starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, is set for release at the end of 2024, with the second installment following in 2025. The film will bring the magical world of Oz to life on the big screen, introducing Wicked to an even wider audience.
As Wicked returns to Australia, it promises to enchant audiences once more with its captivating story, memorable music, and breathtaking visuals, solidifying its place as a beloved musical phenomenon.
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The musical's success in Australia
Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz is a Broadway musical that has enjoyed immense success worldwide, including in Australia. The musical is based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel of the same name and offers a unique perspective on the Land of Oz, exploring the complex friendship between two witches, Elphaba and Glinda, before Dorothy's arrival.
The Australian production of Wicked officially opened on July 12, 2008, at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne, starring Australian actors Amanda Harrison and Lucy Durack as Elphaba and Glinda, respectively. The show broke box-office records even before its official opening, selling an impressive 24,750 tickets in just three hours during pre-sales and grossing over $1.3 million on its first business day. On April 27, 2009, the production surpassed another milestone, having been seen by 500,000 patrons.
The success of Wicked in Australia continued with subsequent runs in various cities. In 2009, the show embarked on an Australian tour, visiting Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth. In 2013, Wicked opened in Auckland, New Zealand, for an "Oz-straliasian Tour," which included performances in several Australian cities. The most recent Australian production of Wicked opened in Sydney in 2023, with previews starting in August before heading to other cities as part of the "3rd Australian National Tour."
Wicked has received widespread acclaim and numerous awards, including three Tony Awards and a Grammy Award for its original cast album. The show has been praised for its captivating story, impressive production value, and the talent of its performers. Audience reviews from the Australian production echo this sentiment, with many praising the sets, costumes, lighting, special effects, and music. The show has clearly resonated with Australian audiences, with some patrons returning to watch it multiple times and eagerly awaiting its return to their city.
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Wicked's appeal to a wide audience
Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. It is based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which itself is based on L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its 1939 film adaptation. The musical is told from the perspective of two witches, Elphaba and Galinda (who later becomes Glinda the Good), before Dorothy Gale arrives in Oz. It explores the complex friendship between the two witches, whose relationship is tested by their contrasting personalities, conflicting viewpoints, shared love interest, and reactions to the rule of the Wizard of Oz.
Wicked has a wide appeal to audiences of all ages, ethnicities, and sexual orientations. From its very first preview in San Francisco in 2003, audiences learned early on that there was something in the musical for everyone. The character of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, is a young, idealistic, hopeful, innocent, and beautiful girl with emerald-green skin. She captivates the audience and challenges their preconceptions of her character, revealing another side to the story that many are familiar with.
The musical explores mature themes that resonate with adult audiences, such as the idea that the media and culture decide who is "wicked" and that there may be more to a person than meets the eye. It also delves into the complexities of female friendship and the choices and sacrifices that women make in a male-dominated culture. Additionally, the score of Wicked is heavily thematic, with motifs that indicate irony and add depth to the production.
Young women, in particular, can relate to the story's college-freshman characters, who navigate the dynamics of popularity and the challenges of having any kind of flaw, especially something as noticeable as green skin. The musical's exploration of how a shallow, popular girl can become a good person, and how an outcast can become appreciated and accepted, is also universally appealing.
With its captivating characters, mature themes, and memorable score, Wicked continues to captivate audiences around the world, solidifying its status as a beloved musical that resonates with a diverse range of viewers.
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Wicked's film adaptation
The film adaptation of the musical Wicked was released in 2024. The film, directed by Jon M. Chu, is based on the 2003 stage musical of the same name, which was itself adapted from Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. A revisionist take on L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Wicked is a prequel to the classic story, exploring the friendship between the future Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba, and Glinda the Good.
The film adaptation of Wicked was split into two parts, with the first film adapting the first act of the stage musical. The decision to split the adaptation into two parts was made to avoid omitting plot points and to allow for further character development. The first film received positive reviews, with particular praise for its set design, acting, and directing. It was also a commercial success, grossing $756.2 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing Oz film and musical film adaptation.
The film stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Thropp and Ariana Grande as Glinda Upland, with Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum in supporting roles. Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, who originated the roles of Elphaba and Glinda in the stage musical, also appear in the film as leading members of the Emerald City Players.
The film premiered in Sydney, Australia, on November 3, 2024, and was released theatrically in the United States on November 22, 2024. It received ten nominations at the 97th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design.
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Wicked's previous runs in Australia
Wicked has had several runs in Australia, with the Australian production officially opening on 12 July 2008 at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne. The original cast included Amanda Harrison as Elphaba, Lucy Durack as Glinda, Rob Mills as Fiyero, and Maggie Kirkpatrick as Madame Morrible. The Melbourne production broke box-office records, selling 24,750 tickets in three hours during pre-sales and grossing over $1.3 million on its first day.
The show closed in Melbourne on 9 August 2009 and transferred to Sydney's Capitol Theatre. In 2009, the Sydney production broke weekly box office records, grossing $1,473,775.70 in one week. In 2010, Wicked closed in Sydney and embarked on an Australian tour, visiting Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth. In 2011, the show made its New Zealand debut in Auckland and then travelled to Manila, Philippines, as part of an Asian tour.
In 2013, Wicked announced it would return to Australia for a commemorative national tour, beginning in Melbourne. In 2023, Wicked opened at the Sydney Lyric Theatre, with previews starting on 25 August, marking the show's third Australian national tour. The principal cast for this tour included Sheridan Adams as Elphaba, Courtney Monsma as Glinda, and Robyn Nevin as Madame Morrible. The show then travelled to Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Adelaide.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Wicked returned to Australia in 2023, playing at the Sydney Lyric Theatre.
The original Australian production of Wicked premiered in 2008 and played for seven years, with over 2000 shows. It played in Melbourne and Sydney, breaking box-office records in both cities.
Wicked is a musical that tells the story of what happened in the Land of Oz from a different angle. It focuses on a young woman with emerald-green skin, who is smart, fiery, and misunderstood. She meets a bubbly, popular blonde, and their rivalry turns into an unlikely friendship, until one is deemed 'good' and the other 'wicked'.
Wicked has won over 100 major awards, including a Grammy Award, 10 Tony Awards, six Drama Desk Awards, and six Helpmann Awards. It was also named Best Musical of the Decade by Entertainment Weekly magazine.
Yes, a two-part film adaptation of the musical was released, with the first part out in 2024 and the second in 2025. It stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda.
