The yellow brick road has turned… emerald? Wicked casts its spell once again at the Saenger Theatre for a three-week engagement in the heart of New Orleans. As the fourth longest-running Broadway show in history, theater fans and first-time viewers will not want to miss this run! Expect to hear Stephen Schwartz’s original and groundbreaking songs, including “Defying Gravity”, “Popular,” and “For Good” – all part of the iconic soundtrack that won the Grammy for Best Cast Show Album nearly four decades ago. Written by Gregory Maguire, Wicked dives deep into the foundations of the World of Oz, how Glinda and Elphaba represent the icons of good and evil, and whether everything remains as it seems in the latter events of the tale. Catch the show later this fall at the premier performing facility in Louisiana and see why The New York Times has praised it as the “defining musical of the decade”! It’s time to defy gravity and purchase those tickets today!
Wicked Tickets:
“‘Wicked’ brings humor, heart, and spectacle to an age-old tale.” – The Spokesman-Review
“If every musical had a brain, a heart, and the courage of Wicked, Broadway really would be a magical place.” – Time
The international Broadway hit Wicked returns to the Saenger Theatre in Louisiana for a three-week run from November 29th to December 17th! We know how everyone loves a well-written backstory, and Wicked has been doing this job perfectly for more than forty years.
Not only is it the sixth longest-running Broadway musical of all time, but the production has been translated into eight different languages, performed in fifteen countries, and has been seen by over sixty million people internationally!
“Ingenious and beautiful: Wicked dazzles with its smoke and mirrors.” – Sydney Morning Herald
Wicked, a prequel to Dorothy’s arrival in Oz, mainly focuses on Elphaba, a misunderstood girl with emerald skin who ultimately becomes the Wicked Witch of the West, and Galinda, a popular blonde girl who transforms into Glinda the Good Witch. The story reimagines elements from L. Frank Baum’s original The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its 1939 film adaptation presents viewers with thought-provoking questions about morality.
Glinda embodies all things virtuous, guiding the story’s hero, while The Wicked Witch of the West is cast as the menacing villain with sinister motives. These two are quintessential examples of the classic hero-villain dynamic. But what if there’s more to their story? Wicked The Musical delves into this, challenging the traditional narrative and presenting a prequel that charms the world with its ‘untold story of the witches of Oz.’
In 2004, the initial musical production garnered ten Tony Award nominations, clinching victory in three categories: Idina Menzel’s “Best Actress in a Musical,” “Best Scenic Design,” and “Best Costume Design.” The same year, at the Drama Desk Awards, it secured triumph as the “Outstanding Musical,” as well as accolades for “Outstanding Book of a Musical,” “Outstanding Director of a Musical,” and four additional awards. In 2005, it also earned the prestigious Grammy Award for “Best Musical Show Album.”
“Built on songs by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman, the show is steeped in talent.” – The New York Times
“20 years on, this Wizard of Oz prequel still charms.” – The Guardian
Cast & Creative Team
See the complete list of the announced cast for the North American Tour, along with the main creatives team, here below:
CAST – WICKED: NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
- Olivia Valli as Elphaba
- Celia Hottenstein as Glinda
- Kathy Fitzgerald as Madame Morrible
- Timothy Shew as The Wizard
- Boise Holmes as Doctor Dillamond
- Tara Kostmayer as Nessarose
- Christian Thompson as Fiyero
- Kyle Mcarthur as Boq
- Emily Kristen Morris as Elphaba Standby
CREATIVE TEAM – WICKED: NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
- Directed by Joe Mantello
- Music & Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
- Book by Winnie Holzman
- Based on the Novel by Gregory Maguire
- Musical Staging by Wayne Cilento
- Scenic Design by Eugene Lee
- Costume Design by Susan Hilferty
- Lighting Design by Kenneth Posner
- Sound Design by Tony Meola
- Produced by Marc Platt, David Stone, Jon B. Platt
Moreover, an upcoming film adaptation of the Broadway spectacle is in the works and is set to release in two parts, on November 2024 and 2025, respectively. The movie will star Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in the lead roles alongside other popular artists like Keala Settle, Michelle Yeoh, and Jonathan Bailey.
“The musical witches of this ‘Wizard of Oz’ prequel are still casting a spell over the West End.” – Time Out
“For almost two decades, fans have been dazzled by the spectacle” – Cosmic Circus
When asked about the film’s current state, Composer Schwartz shared with Variety that he was able to visit the set of the Wicked films in the U.K. He continues to praise the outstanding production design by Nathan Crowling, mentioning that it’s similar to the old days of building giant sets on a soundstage. “It’s not green screen sets…They’re actually built, and they’re amazing. The attention to detail kind of boggled my mind when I would see just little labels on things or titles on books in a library, and you know the camera’s never going to see this. And yet, they’re all very written out and specific to Oz…it’s pretty exciting to see.” Schwartz said.
The Saenger Theatre
The Saenger Theatre in the heart of New Orleans is one of only a handful of Saengar music halls that remain standing throughout the years. Part of the National Register of Historic Places, this venue never fails to recreate the grandeur and luxury from a time long past as the premier performing arts facility in the area. For the best viewing experience of Wicked, head down to the Louisiana stage and step into the world of Oz! Reserve your seats now!