Wicked at Academy of Music
Unravel the secrets of the two witches of Oz in the latest incarnation of Wicked LIVE at the Academy of Music from November 1 to 26! This year celebrates the musical’s 20th Anniversary on Broadway, highlighted by a renewed North American tour that lifted off last May. Get to know Elphaba (Olivia Valli) before her “Wicked Witch” moniker in approximately three hours of magic, friendship, and tragedy. Born with detestable green skin, the young woman lived alone before meeting the bubbly Galinda (Celia Hottenstein). The two rivals would grow close as friends, only to be separated later by their clashing worldviews and conflicts in love and life. Based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, Wicked features direction from Joe Mantello, music & lyrics from Stephen Schwartz, and a book by Winnie Holzman. Its first Broadway production won three awards from the Tonys and seven from the Drama Desk, while the original NA tour swept seven categories from the Carbonell Awards. Tickets are selling out – buy yours now!
Wicked Tickets:
“If every musical had a brain, a heart and the courage of wicked, broadway really would be a magical place.” – Time Magazine
“Broadway’s biggest blockbuster.” – The New York Times
Explore the untold history of Oz in this bewitching new presentation of Wicked LIVE at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia’s Kimmel Cultural Campus! This 2024, the fantasy megahit is celebrating its 20th Broadway Anniversary with a renewed string of shows, including a highly anticipated North American tour. The trip launched last May and now flies toward Pennsylvania, bringing a month’s worth of magical mayhem from November 1 to 26.
Long before and after the girl named Dorothy, the mystical land of Oz stood witness to the flower of an unlikely friendship blossom and wither in a story kept secret—only revealed in this three-hour musical tale.
Elphaba Thropp, a fiery young woman with ferocious talent, was born with emerald skin and, along with it, a persistent prejudice from those around her. Upon meeting the vivacious Galinda Upland, the two would find a cherished companionship despite their initial rivalry. Through the days, they’d grow closer and stronger, but eventually, their differences would clash, challenging them in ways they would’ve never foreseen. Will the Good remain in grace while the Wicked falls? Only time will tell, and only the world can judge.
“A cultural phenomenon.” – Variety
“Packed with spectacular coups de theatre and magical effects.” – The Daily Telegraph
CAST
- Olivia Valli as Elphaba
- Celia Hottenstein as Galinda/Glinda
- Timothy Shew as The Wizard
- Kathy Fitzgerald as Madame Morrible
- Boise Holmes as Doctor Dillamond
- Tara Kostmayer as Nessarose
- Kyle McArthur as Boq
- Christian Thompson as Fiyero
Backing our main stars are the following swings, standbys, and ensembles: Laurel Harris, Alexia Acebo, Jennifer Mariela Bermeo, Remmie Bourgeois, Jane Brockman, Kyle Brown, Anthony Lee Bryant, Matt Densky, Marie Eife, Aydin Eyikan, Jenny Florkowski, Chris Jarosz, Kelsey Kaufman, David Kaverman, Kelly Lafarga, Marina Lazzaretto, Tiffany Rae Mallari, Nando Morland, Madison Claire Parks, David Scott Purdy, Jackie Raye, Andy Richardson, Kat Rodriguez, Anthony Sagaria, Derek Schiesel, Jenna Nicole Schoen, Wayne Schroder, Jonathan Shew, Brett Stoelker, Ben Susak, Mitchell Tobin, Maggie Van Wieringen, and Justin Wirick.
Directed by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello, Wicked features music and lyrics by double-Hall of Fame composer Stephen Schwartz and a book from Drama Desk Award winner Winnie Holzman based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 literature, “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.”. The team also includes some of the industry’s most respected designers and creatives, tirelessly breathing life and color into an Oz you’ve never seen before.
- Wayne Cilento – Musical Staging
- Eugene Lee – Scenic Design
- Susan Hilferty – Costume Design
- Kenneth Posner – Lighting Design
- Tony Meola – Sound Design
- Elaine J. McCarthy – Projection Design
- Tom Watson – Hair and Wig Design
- Joe Dulude II – Makeup Design
- Stephen Oremus – Music Supervision/Music Arrangements
- William David Brohn – Orchestrations
- Alex Lacamoire – Music Arrangements
- Telsey Office – Casting
As it stands today, Wicked has covered more than a hundred cities in sixteen countries. It is the fourth longest-running show in Broadway history, having surpassed Cats earlier last April with its 7,486th performance. It also holds the second highest-grossing musical record, trailing only The Lion King since 2017, with a two-part film adaptation starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, and Jeff Goldblum on the way next year.
“The most complete, and completely satisfying, new musical I’ve come across in a long time.” – USA Today
“What a spectacle this is! Keep your eye on the witches. These wonderful girls from oz are a delight.” – Newsday
Wicked’s original Broadway production officially opened its curtains in October 2003 at the Gershwin Theatre, following a few tryout sessions in San Francisco’s Curran Theatre in May and June. The run took award season by storm, clinching three Tony Awards, seven Drama Desk Awards, one Drama League Award, four Outer Critics Circle Awards, and a GRAMMY for Best Musical Show Album.
Wicked’s success on the Broadway stage would initiate numerous tours and replicas in local and international circuits. Its inaugural national tour, dubbed the “Emerald City Tour,” ran in 2005, visiting US and Canadian territories. It swept the 2006 Carbonell Awards, winning all seven nominations, including Best Non-Resident Production. It also won a Helen Hayes Award and three Touring Broadway Awards, including one for Best New Musical. A Laurence Olivier-winning West End series continues to perform today, breaking box-office records while maintaining its status as the 11th longest-running show in London. Other notable overseas productions feature a six-time Helpmann Award-winning run from Melbourne and a thirteen-time Musical Cast Award-winning Brazilian engagement.
Let the enchanting world of Wicked leave its handprint on your heart during its month-long stay at the Academy of Music! Not sure if it’s the musical for you? Well, you’ll never know until you try it! Pick a date from November 1 to 26 and book your tickets now!