Show guide
Wicked
Wicked reimagines the world of Oz from the perspective of its most misunderstood witch, pairing Stephen Schwartz's pop-inflected score with a story about friendship, fear, and how history gets written.
- Broadway premiere
- 2003
- Music by
- Stephen Schwartz
- Genre
- Rock/Pop
- Setting
- Timeless
Wicked: quick answers
What is Wicked about?
- Wicked tells the untold story of the witches of Oz: green-skinned outsider Elphaba and popular Galinda meet as unlikely roommates at school, and their friendship endures as Elphaba is branded the Wicked Witch of the West and Galinda becomes Glinda the Good.
When did Wicked open on Broadway?
- Wicked opened on Broadway on October 30, 2003, at the Gershwin Theatre, where it is still running. It won three Tony Awards, including Best Actress in a Musical for Idina Menzel.
What kind of musical is Wicked?
- Wicked is a fantasy book musical with an original score by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman, loosely based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel, which reimagines The Wonderful Wizard of Oz from the witches' point of view.
Where and when is Wicked set?
- Wicked is set in the Land of Oz, before and after Dorothy's arrival from Kansas, moving from Shiz University to the Emerald City and beyond.
Has Wicked played in London's West End?
- Wicked opened in the West End at the Apollo Victoria Theatre on September 27, 2006, with Idina Menzel reprising Elphaba, and it is still running there.
Is there a Wicked movie?
- Jon M. Chu adapted the musical as two films, Wicked (2024) and Wicked: For Good (2025), starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, and Michelle Yeoh. The first film won Oscars for costume design and production design.
The story of Wicked
Wicked tells the untold story of the witches of Oz, centering on Elphaba, a green-skinned young woman with remarkable powers, and Glinda, her seemingly opposite classmate at Shiz University. Their unlikely friendship forms the emotional core of the show, set within the fantastical, timeless world of Oz rather than any specific historical era.
As the two young women navigate school, politics, and the machinations of the Wizard, the story reveals how one of them comes to be labeled wicked and the other good, offering a fresh, sympathetic lens on characters audiences thought they already knew from the classic Oz story.
The music and the makers
Stephen Schwartz wrote the music and lyrics, crafting a score that blends contemporary rock and pop sensibilities with traditional Broadway showmanship. His songs range from anthemic, belt-driven power ballads to tender duets, giving performers plenty of opportunity to showcase vocal range and emotional depth.
Schwartz's melodies have become some of the most recognizable in modern musical theatre, helping the show build a passionate, multigenerational fan base drawn to its accessible, radio-friendly sound layered over sophisticated storytelling.
Wicked on Broadway
Wicked opened on Broadway in 2003 and quickly became one of the defining musicals of its generation, known for its spectacle, its emotional friendship story, and its rock and pop-leaning score. It has drawn audiences of all ages, from longtime theatre fans to newcomers introduced through its most famous songs.
Its appeal lies in the way it takes a beloved fantasy world and gives it emotional complexity, turning a familiar villain into a fully realized, sympathetic character. Decades after opening, it remains a defining example of Broadway spectacle paired with genuine heart.
Wicked: frequently asked questions
When did Wicked open on Broadway?
It opened on Broadway in 2003.
Who composed Wicked?
Stephen Schwartz wrote the music and lyrics.
What genre is Wicked?
Wicked features a rock and pop-influenced score blended with traditional Broadway musical theatre style.
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