By Andrew Gans
and Robert Simonson
30 Oct 2004

Idina Menzel and Joey McIntyre in Wicked
photo by joan marcus

The hit musical Wicked, currently playing the Gershwin Theatre, celebrates its first year on Broadway Oct. 30.

Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, which turned every Oz myth inside out, the musical explores the early life of the witches of Oz: Glinda and Elphaba. The two main characters meet at Shiz, a school where both hope to take up sorcery. Glinda is madly popular and Elphaba is, well, green. By a misunderstanding, they wind up roommates and, after an initial period of mutual loathing, begin to learn something about each other. Their life paths continue to intersect through a shared love, entry into the Emerald City and interaction with the Wizard himself. Eventually, their choices and convictions take them on widely different paths.

With a score by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman, Wicked began previews on Broadway Oct. 8, 2003, after a summer tryout at San Francisco's Curran Theatre. When the musical officially opened Oct. 30, 2003, the original cast featured Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda, Idina Menzel as Elphaba, Joel Grey as The Wizard, Carole Shelley as Madame Morrible, Norbert Leo Butz as Fiyero, Michelle Federer as Nessarose, Christopher Fitzgerald as Boq and William Youmans as Doctor Dillamand.

Both Chenoweth and Menzel were nominated for Tonys for their performances, with Menzel nabbing the award for Best Actress in a Musical. The musical garnered ten Tony nominations in all, including one for Best Musical. The Oz-themed show also won Tonys for its lavish set (Eugene Lee) and costumes (Susan Hilferty).

Tony winner Menzel continues in her role at the Gershwin, and she is now joined by Jennifer Laura Thompson as Glinda, George Hearn as The Wizard, Carole Shelley as Madame Morrible, Joey McIntyre as Fiyero, Michelle Federer as Nessarose, Christopher Fitzgerald as Boq and William Youmans as Doctor Dillamand.

To celebrate the one-year anniversary, a Wicked Day Block Party will be held in front of the Gershwin Theatre Oct. 30. The 10 AM-1 PM bash will feature face-painting, games and refreshments and will be held rain or shine. Several Wicked stars will also serve as special guests of the Oct. 31 Greenwich Village Halloween Parade.

Directed by Joe Mantello, Wicked features choreography by Wayne Cilento and plays the Gershwin, 222 West 51st Street. Tickets are available by calling (212) 307-4100 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com.

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