On Oct. 26, "Wicked: The Grimmerie" is set to hit bookstores across the country. David Cote's tome is designed to resemble the Grimmerie, the book of spells that Elphaba uses in the Stephen Schwartz musical.
The 192-page hardcover book will includes profiles of the cast and creative team, full-color Joan Marcus photos of the show, an "Ozian" glossary, spells, the musical's libretto, a family tree as well as a step-by-step look at the "greenifying" of Elphaba.
"Wicked: The Grimmerie" has a list price of $40. The book can be pre-ordered on Amazon.com for $26.40.
*
Based on Maguire's novel, which turned every Oz myth inside out, Wicked 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. Wicked, with a book by Winnie Holzman, began previews on Broadway Oct. 8, 2003, with an official opening Oct. 30, 2003. The Broadway company — directed by Joe Mantello — continues to play the Gershwin Theatre. Call (212) 307-4100 for tickets.