Wicked Costume Inducted Into Smithsonian's National Museum of American History

By Andrew Gans
18 Dec 2012

Wicked Costume Inducted Into Smithsonian's National Museum of American History

The Elphaba costume, hat and broom from the hit musical Wicked were inducted into the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History Dec. 17.

Tony Award-winning costume designer Susan Hilferty was on hand to sign the deed of gift, while Broadway cast members Donna Vivino and Tiffany Haas sang a selection from the Stephen Schwartz score to commemorate the event.

The costume elements join objects from the musicals King and I, Rent and The Lion King in the museum’s permanent entertainment collections.

“Hilferty’s designs bring the story of the witches of Oz prior to Dorothy’s arrival, to life,” said Marc Pachter, acting director of the museum, in a statement. “This donation is a significant addition to the museum’s entertainment collection and shows the enduring cultural contribution of Broadway hits to American life.”

Designed by Tony winner Hilferty, the costume components were originally made for Mandy Gonzalez, who played Elphaba from March 2010-January 2011. The costume is currently on display in the “American Stories” exhibition, which showcases historic and cultural touchstones of American history through more than 100 objects from the museum’s vast holdings.

For more information visit http://americanhistory.si.edu.

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Wicked continues its record-breaking run at Broadway's Gershwin Theatre.