Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! ""Wicked"" is coming to Madison! Since opening on Broadway in 2003, ""Wicked"" has grossed over $1 million every week, consistently placing it within the two highest weekly grossing productions on Broadway. It has toured cities around the world, from Tokyo to Sydney, and its music has been featured in movies and television alike, including ""Zombieland"" and ""Glee."" And starting Wednesday evening, the internationally acclaimed musical brings its magic to Madison's Overture Center.
But there is a reason ""Wicked"" is so ""Popular.""
""It pleases on all levels,"" said Zach Hanna, who plays Boq, a young munchkin smitten with Galinda.
""Visually it's beautiful, the lighting design, costumes, everything. And there's a beautiful story underneath it about these two girls becoming friends and learning to look past people's differences.""
That story, which is based on the Gregory Maguire novel ""Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,"" focuses on Elphaba, the misunderstood, green-skinned girl who comes to be known as the Wicked Witch of the West. Upon arriving at Shiz University, Elphaba meets the bubbly and confident witch Galinda, eventually known as Glinda the Good Witch.
While the two, young witches initially loathe each other, they ultimately become friends. Their unlikely friendship is tested on multiple occasions throughout the show, but especially when Elphaba chooses to risk her social standing in order to fight for what she believes is right.
""Wicked"" takes L. Frank Baum's original story of ""Oz"" and presents it in a new light. While the 1939 film adaptation of Baum's story, ""The Wizard of Oz,"" is famous for its use of Technicolor technology, the film's depiction of Oz and its characters is not as colorful as the musical's. In the movie, the Wicked Witch of the West is evil while Dorothy, Glinda and the Wizard are good. It is a clear-cut moral tale. But by telling the story from the perspective of the witches, ""Wicked"" is able to explore the idea that not everything is as simple as black, or in this case green, and white.
""It's about friendship, acceptance, love,"" Hanna said. ""Basically, looking past your differences and learning to be comfortable with yourself and accept people for who they are.""
Hanna, who has been a fan of the musical since its original production, remarks that even in its eighth year, ""Wicked"" has continued to capture the magic of the original Tony Award-winning show.
""They've done a pretty incredible job of keeping what they wanted when they first opened the show. The sets are the same, the vision is still there. There are four companies in the U.S. and all of them do a good job with storytelling.""
This continued excellence is due in large part to the continued direction of Joe Mantello, the original Broadway director.
Wicked is currently on its second national tour. The first began in 2005 and continues to put on shows today, while the second is currently in its second year of performances.
""We started rehearsals last year in January, and opened in March,"" Hanna said.
""I saw the show years and years ago, and I always thought it was a great role for me,"" Hanna said of his character, Boq. ""I had all of this stuff I thought I could do with the character.""
""I love the role. Its constantly changing; you gotta keep it fresh.""
As the 18th longest running show in Broadway history, there's no doubt ""Wicked"" is a phenomenon. Weekly ticket sales continue to eclipse $1 million and tours continue to open around the world. The musical shows no signs of slowing down.
""There's no set end,"" Hanna said of the tour. ""It could run forever.""
""Wicked"" runs from Wednesday, Sep. 22 through Sunday, October 10 at the Overture Center. Tickets are still available and range in price from $36-$144.
