Explore this Show
Overview
Synopsis
Stephen Schwartz’s Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz takes place before L. Frank Baum’s classic Wizard of Oz story ever began. Before Dorothy was even alive, two young girls met in the Land of Oz, became rivals, and then friends. One was born with emerald green skin, with a brilliant mind and a fiery spirit. The other was classically beautiful, with great ambition and incredible drive. The green-skinned Elphaba was ostracized by her family and by everyone at school. The beautiful Galinda was destined to be forever popular. Over the course of Wicked, we discover how these two young women became rivals and then the closest of friends – and how they ended up as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good. Originally starring Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, Wicked is an amazing vehicle for two powerhouse actresses, and also features a large, strong ensemble.
Show Information
- Book
- Winnie Holzman
- Music
- Stephen Schwartz
- Lyrics
- Stephen Schwartz
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2003
- Genres
- Fairy Tale/Fantasy
- Settings
- Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- the land of oz, before dorothy arrived
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Large
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Ideal For
- Professional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Origins
Stephen Schwartz’s musical, Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz, is based on the 1995 Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. Stephen Schwartz worked with Emmy Award-winning writer Winnie Holzman to develop an outline for a plot that was condensed enough to be suitable for a musical, as the original novel is rather epic and sprawling. While the musical takes Maguire’s central idea of a retelling of the 1939 musical movie _The
to read the context for Wicked and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
Wicked opens with a celebration of the death of the Wicked Witch of the West. The citizens of Oz are elated, and dance joyously through the streets. They welcome Glinda the Good Witch of the North, who descends amongst them in a magic bubble to announce the official time of the Wicked Witch of the West’s death. As Ozians rail about the wickedness of the deceased witch, Glinda calls upon them to empathize with the young green-skinned girl named Elphaba, who was not always known as
to read the plot for Wicked and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
|
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Female |
|
|
|
Featured |
Female |
|
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
|
Songs
Act One
Act Two
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A showstopping song near the end of a musical, typically revealing a character's climax or transformation.
A version of a work modified from another medium or language, making it suitable for a new performance context.
A strong feeling of hostility between characters that drives dramatic tension and conflict.
A narrative song or poem often used in musical theatre and opera to convey story and emotion through melody.
A powerful, resonant singing technique used in musical theatre to project high notes with chest voice.
In musical theatre, the script or spoken text of the show, not including the music or lyrics.
A magical or healing potion used symbolically or literally in theatre, especially in fantasy or mythic stories.
A group of performers who function as a unit in a production rather than as individuals with leading roles.
A dramatic device that transports the narrative to an earlier time to provide background or context.
A sense of seriousness and importance in a character's presence, often demanded in tragic or leadership roles.
The complete text of an opera, musical, or other extended vocal work, including all spoken dialogue and lyrics. The libretto provides the dramatic structure and narrative arc, serving as a guide for both performers and directors to align story and music.
A large-scale musical with elaborate staging, global appeal, and strong branding, such as *Les Misérables* or *Phantom*.
The use of performance or storytelling to promote political or ideological messages, especially in epic theatre.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
Themes
Looks & Appearance
The value attached
to read about the themes, symbols and motifs from Wicked and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Quote Analysis
“Unlimited,
My future is unlimited”
Guide Written By:
