Wicked is coming to New Zealand in 2023
The creators behind the phenomenal season of Les Misérables proudly present the sensational Broadway blockbuster, Wicked – the untold true story of the witches of Oz. Prepare for an awe-inspiring New Zealand premiere at Wellington’s St James Theatre in 2023.
Witness the enchanting tale of the Land of Oz from an entirely new perspective. Long before Dorothy’s arrival, a brilliant, emerald-skinned young woman with a fiery spirit and extraordinary talents is misunderstood by the world. As she crosses paths with a charming, popular blonde, an unlikely friendship blossoms between them – until the world brands one as “good” and the other as “wicked.”
Featuring an electrifying score with hits like “Defying Gravity,” “Popular,” and “For Good,” Wicked has garnered accolades from The New York Times as “the defining musical of the decade” and Time Magazine as “a magical Broadway musical with brains, heart, and courage.”
Capital Theatre Trust and G&T Productions proudly produce the Wellington premiere of this cherished musical. In its celebratory 20th year, Wicked boasts over 100 international awards, including a Grammy and three Tony Awards. Entertaining audiences in over 100 cities across 16 countries, and translated into six languages, Wicked has broken box office records and captivated 60 million people worldwide.
The dazzling Wellington production will feature spectacular sets and costumes, directed by the acclaimed Grant Meese, who helmed the sold-out seasons of Les Misérables in Auckland in 2019 and Wellington in 2022. Thrilled to bring this iconic musical to the capital, Grant exclaims, “You have waited such a long time to see this production. The story is full of heart and filled with magic. I know you will love it.”
With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman, Wicked is inspired by Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which in turn draws from L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and the beloved 1939 film adaptation starring Judy Garland.