[wicked_boy]

US/Canada Tour
There is a touring production of Wicked in the United States of America and Canada. It has visited several cities already and will visit more soon.

Chicago production
The first sit-down production of Wicked in Chicago opened at The Oriental Theatre on July 13, 2005. In its first week alone, the show grossed $1,400,000. It has continued to set records, and is a key part of the booming Chicago theatre scene.


London production
A new engagement of Wicked opened in September 2006 at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in London, previously home to Starlight Express and Bombay Dreams. Previews began September 7 with an official opening of September 27.

The West End production reunited the show's original creative team with its original Tony Award-winning star, Idina Menzel. Kerry Ellis, who previously had played Eliza Dolittle in My Fair Lady, Fantine in Les Misérables and Meat in the original London cast of We Will Rock You, succeeded Idina Menzel in the role of Elphaba from the beginning of January 2007 after serving as the standby for Elphaba during the four months when Idina Menzel played Elphaba. She is the first British actress to perform the role of Elphaba.

The West End production of Wicked has had its dialogue slightly modified to fit local idiom - changing, for example, the word "semester" to "term" and "at school together" to "at uni together". It should also be noted that once Kerry Ellis took over the role of Elphaba, the Wizard was the only character to speak with an American accent (Idina Menzel also played Elphaba with an American accent since she, herself, is American). As one might expect from a West End production, all other characters have British accents.

In April 2007, the producers reported that over 500,000 people had seen the London production, and it has grossed over £18 millon.


Los Angeles production
Wicked launched its fifth open-ended production in Los Angeles, California at the Pantages Theatre. Performances began on February 10, 2007, with an official opening on February 21.

On October 30, 2006, the principal actors in the Los Angeles cast were announced in honor of Wicked Day; all but two of these principals have all performed their roles in some capacity - representatives from the Broadway, Chicago and Touring productions make up most of the Original LA Cast.

On the week ending on March 4, the show grossed a massive $1,786,110 and became the highest grossing attraction in Los Angeles theatre history. The previous record holder was The Producers, June 2003 at the Pantages.


Stuttgart production
On September 28, 2006, just one day after the London premiere, Stage Entertainment Germany announced that it would be bringing a German-language adaptation of Wicked to the stage by the end of the following year. The show (titled Wicked: Die Hexen von Oz) is scheduled to premiere November 15, 2007, at the Palladium Theater in Stuttgart. Willemeijn Verkaik will be headlining the Stuttgart production as Elphaba. The full cast will be announced in September.


Osaka production
Universal Studios in Japan has a 30-minute theme park version of Wicked. It focuses mainly on Elphaba and Glinda's relationship but also includes the Wizard. Fiyero, Nessarose and Madame Morrible are not in it. Wicked in Osaka is required to hire American and Australian actresses to play Elphaba and only Japanese actresses to play Glinda. Jillian Giacchi, an American Osaka Elphaba, left Wicked last year. Jemma Stevenson, Hamada Megumi, Taylor Jordan, and Lara Janine are currently playing Elphaba while Ms Tainai and three other Japanese actresses are rotating as Glinda. The show is performed 4 times a day and is in performed 70% in Japanese and 30% in English.


Tokyo production
It has recently been confirmed that there will be a full sit-down production of Wicked in Japan produced by the Shiki Theater Group. The show is scheduled open at the Dentsu Shiki Theatre "Umi" on June 17, 2007. This production will have an all-Asian cast and will be performed in Japanese.


Melbourne production
An Australian production of Wicked has been confirmed to open in July 2008 at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne, Australia.[14] Native Australian Helen Dallimore from the London production has reportedly been invited to reprise her role as Glinda. Although the London production's website states that Dallimore will be leaving the London production to star in the Australian premiere,[15] John Frost, producer of the Australian production, has denied any precasting, saying she is only one of the several candidates they are considering. No further casting has been announced.


Amsterdam production
The Gordon Frost Organization has announced that Wicked will arrive in Amsterdam in 2008.


Candadian production
"Wicked" has been rumored to open in Toronto in 2008. It has already played at Toronto's Canon Theatre twice (in its national tour).


Singapore production
"Wicked" has been proposed to open in Singapore in 2010 at Universal Studios Singapore.

And of course Broadway, New York, at the Gershwin.

[music is my life!!!]

[Belle]

Isn't Wikipedia full of interesting information?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicked_%28musical%29

[lesmisboy]

Copied word for word from Wikipedia. World domination?? Hardly.....

[shakalakababy]

so what if its from wikipedia, whats wrong with that?
i think it's interesting, i'm glad wicked is playing in so many places so everyone can get to see it

[wicked_boy]

[Belle]

we certainly do all need sources - but to be believed, you really need to quote them YOURSELF... 'cos otherwise it looks like you're claiming you wrote that all yourself. It's cool to quote that info to start a discussion about it! But just adding a line like "It says on Wikipedia..." or "How cool is it that Wicked has so many productions? I found this on wikipedia" makes your source clear.

Wicked does seem to be heading for world domination, one production at a time... I'm sure they'll rival Les Miserables soon enough!

[lesmisboy]

I SERIOUSLY doubt that, however much I enjoyed Wicked. Wicked relies too heavily on sets/special effects. Sure, Les Mis has the barricade, but in many non-replica versions this has been simplified, and the story and music are what keep the punters going.
Les Mis HAS dominated the world - and hasn't needed to rely on a showy setpiece (flying witch, falling chandelier, descending helicopter etc) to keep it going. Wicked will obviously be successful in the main bastions - Germany, Australia, Japan...but it has a limited shelf-life.

[*BroadwayLights*]

Wow. That is truly amazing!

[Angel-of-Music*]

i dont think the shows RELY on that showy setpeice really, and even if they do, that doesnt make it any less of a great show. The wondering of "how the heck did they build that" still amazes people rather than making them think "oh, thats a gimicky bit of set, it must be a distraction from the crap show"

[nickhutson]

Wicked does not have an impressive set. Most of the time, the stage is very bland. If you want impressive sets, look toward Mary Poppins (of course, it just won the Tony for best design).

Les Mis is regarded as a mega-musical (along with Phantom and Miss Saigon), and it does have a more complex set than Wicked - purely because of the machinery involved. Back in the 80s, this was a miracle that this could happen - and this was a main factor of the megamusical. The effects in Wicked are nothing new (the flying trick was done in Joseph in London in the 90s), so - les mis is more groundbreaking than Wicked.

Anyway, another factor of the mega musical is the world audience factor. Wicked is certainly trying to play in as many countries in the world as possible - with translations in the works (always a risky business) and whether they work will prove its true power. I don't think the show will last in Germany - because they don't know/care about The Wizard of OZ there, but - we will see what happens.

Theme park shows are okay - as peole can either see them or not - they don't need to consider paying £60 a ticket - and are good "advertisements" for the full scale shows.

Let's see what happens

[Belle]

Wicked is exactly the sort of show that has been very successful in Germany - huge, spectacular, great music... I don't think Wicked actually needs more than a passing aquaintence with Wizard of Oz to work - it stands on its own. However, Wicked won't be anything new, particularly, to a German audience. It's no more spectacular, no bigger, no louder than the shows currently playing. The audience might not be so interested in an American import when there's fantastic German productions to see.

[Quique]

I haven't seen the show live but from what I've seen, the Wicked set and special effects are much, much more elaborate and gawdy than anything seen in Les Mis.

Les Mis is cleverly staged. I wouldn't compare its set with that of Phantom or Miss Saigon, which are truly massive. Les Mis is fluid, simple, and the contrast of the lighting with its earthtones against the dark, brooding set gives it an eye-popping look. That's what makes it spectacular, not so much flashy gimmickery.

[nickhutson]

Please remember that Les Mis was 21 years ago - and the sets and mechanics then were unheard of back then, and are certainly - like all the other mega musicals - are an influence on any major commercial musical nowadays. You have a double revolve (something Wicked doesn't have) and a hugely complex "barricade" set piece that lowers to form a brand new set.

Whilst Wicked is beautiful designed (I love Wicked, too) - all it has is one truck groove down the centre of the stage, and 2 others to the left and right, and three trapdoors (one with a hydraulic lift).

Let's all look toward Lord of the Rings for the most elaborate production ever - diffidently influenced by Les Mis' revolve - but on a much, much grander scale.

Wicked relies more on its beautiful use of colour and lighting than its in your face wizardry. The lighting is amazing (We Will Rock You still has the best lighting I've ever seen - but that's a different style of show), and the scenographic elements have come A LONG way since B'way - which is probably the most distant show now as regards all the developments made for London - and then subsequently for the other productions.

Audiences certainly enjoy the flashy nature of Wicked - and, certainly, a black box production would be interesting to say the least, and each show that opens makes use of technology available - but, as "Belle" rightly said, Germany has seen this before. Tanz Der Vampyre is a HUGE show - bigger than anything Wicked could ever be - as was Hunchback of NotreDame and, in a way - the mega musical format (Les Mis, Miss Saigon etc - of which Wicked is heavily influenced by) all goes back fo European Grand Opera - so, it's been in the European stage shows for 200 years now.

I hope Wicked works everywhere, but - we may have to accept the fact it won't....

[Quique]

Oh, I agree that Les Mis was technically ambitious back in the day but the show is definitely not a 'spectacle' driven show. I've never heard anyone say they want to see it because of the barricade or revolve. Though I have heard plenty of people curious about the helciopter in Saigon, the chandelier in Phantom, and that darn levitating witch, lol.

And the few people that I know of who've gone into Les Mis expecting to see a dazzling spectacle have all come away disappointed. In fact, I took a friend to see it in L.A. several years ago and he was surprised by how simply it was staged.

From what I've seen on YouTube, Wicked even has some robot dragon thingy at the top of the stage, hehe.

I'm not blasting Wicked. There's nothing wrong with spectacle, in my opinion. But Les Mis is definitely not more elaborate. I believe the Les Mis national tour travelled in only 8 trucks, took a day to assemble, and cost 4.5 million. Saigon travelled in over 35 trucks, took weeks to assemble, and cost over 10 million. Phantom travels in 28 trucks, takes several days to assemble, and also cost about 10 million.

The Wicked tour travels in 14 and cost over 10 mil, as well. And for the record, I'm not even saying that I think it relies on spectacle. From what I've heard, it obviously has more than that going for it. I could be wrong as I haven't seen it yet. I can't wait until July 5th! I'm dying to know what all the fuss is about. I only know about 3 songs and have seen short clips on YouTube. I'm going in with an open mind. I have avoided reading discussions on it but make the rounds here occasionally. This is one of them, hehe.

[ConverseSneaker]

Oh please, Wicked and Les Mis don't stand a chance for World Domination next to Penguins. How many movies starring those tuxedo birds are they're now?

[nickhutson]

Of course no musical - as a world musical - has ever been as popular as Mamma Mia.

[lesmisboy]

Lol - of course Les Mis isn't as grandiose as Wicked in terms of set - which is why it has managed to reach more people. It also has themes which are more accessible to the masses, but not everyone is familiar with the themes of Wicked, let alone The Wizard of Oz.
Having said that..the first book is very popular in Germany and of course there is now a Dutch production slated for 2008, so if you're a diehard fan that's two european versions to check out. Also, a tip - german merchandising is second to none, they are VERY inventive, so if you DO love this show, expect Ebay to be flooded with cool memorabilia soon after the opening.......
As for Mamma - Mia, it still won't manage to beat Les Mis in terms of world domination. No show will.

[Brother Marvin Hinten, S.]

Too bad one did, many, many years ago.

Did the original production of Les Mis break all the box office records at the time and attract an audience of over one million? No.
Was Les Mis ever the longest-running musical in West End history? No.
Not even the fifth? No.
Did Les Mis' cast recording top the charts three times in a row? No.
Did a tour of Les Mis outsell every other act in the U.S. consistently for six years running (including Madonna -- in her prime, Janet Jackson, and Guns 'n' Roses)? No.
Has a Japanese kabuki production of Les Mis ever been staged? No. (And I'd probably give the same answer to attending it.)
Has Les Mis been staged in over 15 countries? No.
Have two movies been made of Les Mis (I'm talking the musical, smart-ass wiseguy reading this)? No.
Did Les Mis take in £8.6 million at the box office in its first week? No.
Can you count the amount of Les Mis recordings on five or six hands' worth of fingers? No (and for this show, you'd need more than that).
Has Les Mis started careers for future celebrities (outside the theatre world)? No.
Has Les Mis been so controversial theatres have been bombed for showing it (both live and on film) and churches have advised people not to go see it? No.
Has Les Mis been banned in a country for being deemed irreligious? No.
Has any recording of Les Mis sold over 15 million copies in its first pressing? No.

All of these, to me, are hallmarks of musical world domination. If it doesn't have so much of an effect on people that you can't ignore it, then it's not dominating. What show am I talking about? I'll give you a minute to guess. Scroll down after a minute has passed. (Yes, I'm being a pain, indulge me.)





Those of you who didn't guess with the churches and irreligious bans, smack yourselves. The show I'm talking about is Jesus Christ Superstar.

[sherwills]

[wicked_boy]

Before any one posts any more posts about what domination is.

Did anyone think about the word, over-exagerating due to the fact Wicked is playing so many performances.

[Angel-of-Music*]

lesmisboy, why would someone need to be familiar with the themes of wicked or the wizard of oz before they see it? People go to see les mis without the slightest knowledge of the french revolution, people go and see guys and dolls without knowing anything at all about gambling and such (it took me til act two to realise what the hell crapshooting was ) so why would people need to know the story of the show or what its based around before they see it? can't people just go because they like the music, or think it sounds fun or interesting?

[Quique]

[Timmy_Wishes he was Quast]

*hugs*

It's ok Quique i feel your pain!

[wicked_boy]

Is Les Mis about the french revolution?

[nickhutson]

No - it's about a student revolution that happened in France later than the "famous" French Revolution.

[Angel-of-Music*]

my point exactly. i know bot all about it and i've been to see it. so why should anyone need extensive knowlege of woz to see wicked?

[Mistress]

[lesmisboy]

Because, Angel of Music, there are many references to both the book and the film which would be competlety lost on people not familiar with the Wizard of Oz. Just like everyone knows that the Phantom's disfigurement was due to someone throwing printers' acid into his face...... Just kidding. And to Brother Martin Hintern S - this smart-ass wiseguy does his research, and knows all about JCS, that's why he made the post. And regarding Les Mis recordings...there are 51. So far. Amen.

[Angel-of-Music*]

so what about the book references!. It's a completely seperate story, ok its cleverly linked to woz, but even if you didn't understand it wouldn't affect you enjoying the story of wicked. People don't nesesesarily research shows, find out about their themes and such before they go and see them. That would be tremendously stupid.

[Anessa2]

A Wicked Japanese opened in Tokyo on 17 June, 2007.
It is the stage of full version. and lyrics in all japanese.
They are different from Universal Studio Japan in Osaka's show in 30 munites.

I found some audio clips of Tokyo production. 　Please check them.
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=classyrose

See you!

[wicked_boy]

[shakalakababy]

[What Is This Feeling?]

Aww! That was nice. I liked it. Since I know all the lyrics, my native language doesn't matter any more! hahaha!