Wicked is a Broadway musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman. It is based on the 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which itself was based on the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. Wicked tells the story of Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West and her relationship with Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. Their friendship struggles through their opposing personalities and viewpoints, rivalry over the same love-interest, their reactions to the Wizard's corrupt government, and, ultimately, Elphaba's public fall from grace.
Wicked opened on October 30, 2003 at the Gershwin Theatre. The musical received 10 Tony award nominations at the 2004 Tony Awards, winning three including Best Lead Actress and Best Costume Design.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
Wicked first performed at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2003, as one of four Broadway shows to perform in the NBC broadcast's first hour. The show's cast performed "One Short Day," in which Elphaba and Glinda take their first sightseeing tour of the Emerald City before meeting the Wizard himself. Among the cast was Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, who would later make several Parade appearances in the coming years.
In 2021, Wicked was again selected to perform for the Parade broadcast, celebrating the return of Broadway following its closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "One Short Day" was once more selected for the musical's Parade performance.
Trivia[]
- Wicked was represented on the M&M's On Broadway float from 2007 through 2009, where Ms. Green defied gravity as she played the role of Elphaba.