The Witches of Oz are parking their broomsticks in Oklahoma to share their untold story! Watch Wicked as it lands at the Thelma Gaylord PAC from February 21st to March 10th. You heard us right – Glinda and Elphaba are flying towards the Civic Center stage for a three-week showing that will take audiences back to L. Frank Baum’s familiar world of munchkins, magic, and merry animals. Now is also your chance to hear Broadway hits “Defying Gravity”, “Popular,” and “For Good” performed live by the stellar North American touring cast. Over the years, the debut production has garnered three Tonys and seven Drama Desk Awards, with its original cast album clinching a prestigious Grammy Award. We expect nothing less from the fourth longest-running show in Broadway history! Stroll down the yellow brick road to the Thelma Gaylord PAC and watch the musical in a world-class performance space that boasts a proscenium stage, comfortable box seats, and outstanding sight lines. Buy your tickets for Wicked today!
Wicked Tickets:
“If every musical had a brain, a heart, and the courage of Wicked, Broadway really would be a magical place.” – Time
“Built on songs by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman, the show is steeped in talent.” – The New York Times
True to its reputation, the international Broadway hit Wicked is scheduled to play at the Thelma Gaylord PAC in Oklahoma City, offering a three-week run from February 21st all the way through March 10th! Hands down, this musical is universally appreciated for its ability to bring audiences a well-crafted backstory through successfully reinterpreting elements of L. Frank Baum’s original work entitled “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.”
Wicked: The Musical is a prequel to Dorothy’s adventure, centering on the stories of Elphaba, a misunderstood girl with emerald-green skin, and Galinda, a popular blonde girl from Shiz, their co-educational university. We’ll let you in on a little secret – the former is destined to become the Evil Wicked Witch of the West while the latter undergoes a transformation into Glinda, the Good Witch famous for banishing anything sinister that visits the Land of Oz. Together, they are the perfect example of the classic hero-villain dynamic, but the story is so much more than that. The plot challenges the conventional narrative and gives us a satisfying tale of friendship and acceptance.
With an extraordinary tally of 64 nominations over the span of eight years, this production has won 33 of them. Notable among these accolades are three Tony Awards, six Drama Desk Awards, and four Outer Critics Circle Awards, showcasing its outstanding achievements in the world of theater. In addition, Wicked’s original cast has also been honored with a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.
“20 years on, this Wizard of Oz prequel still charms.” – The Guardian
“The musical witches of this ‘Wizard of Oz’ prequel are still casting a spell over the West End.” – Time Out
For the national tour, Olivia Valli will be starring as Elphaba, while Celia Hottenstein will fill the shoes of Glinda. Valli, best known for playing Vivian Ward in the national tour of Pretty Woman, returns to the stage after understudying the role of Elphaba for three years before her last show in 2019. Similarly, Hottenstein understudied the role of Glinda and also appeared in The Phantom of the Opera as the alternate for Christine Daaé. The two will be accompanied by several talented Broadway veterans who will bring the characters of Oz to life. Check out 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
The ensemble includes Kelly Lafarga, Marina Lazzaretto, Ryan Mac, Tiffany Rae Mallari, Raymond Joel Matsumura, Madison Claire Parks, Jackie Raye, Kat Rodriguez, Derek Schiesel, Jenna Nicole Schoen, Wayne Schroder, Paul Schwensen, Brett Stoelker, Ben Susak, Mitchell Tobin, Maggie Van Wieringen, Nicky Venditti and Justin Wirick.
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
Twenty years after its debut in theaters, the show will be revived in a two-part film set to hit theaters in December 2024. This faithful adaptation will star Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in the lead roles alongside other popular artists like Keala Settle, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum and Jonathan Bailey.
The Collider interviewed Erivo about what aspect of Wicked surprised her the most – whether it was the character exploration or the collaboration between the future Good Witch and Wicked Witch – to which she specifically highlighted the intriguing dynamics and relationship between the main characters. “It’s a bit of both… when you start to crack it open, you begin to learn that these two women both have hurts of their own that they have to overcome,” she explains. Furthermore, she shares that Elphaba and Glinda, despite their apparent differences, share fundamental similarities in their desires, albeit pursuing them through distinct paths.
“For almost two decades, fans have been dazzled by the spectacle” – Cosmic Circus
“Ingenious and beautiful: Wicked dazzles with its smoke and mirrors.” – Sydney Morning Herald
Everyone is welcome to catch Glinda and Elphaba at the Thelma Gaylord PAC with its 2,400-seat capacity, clear sound systems, and deluxe stage fit for hosting all kinds of Broadway shows, live concerts, and grand events. Grab your tickets for Wicked today before they run out!