Wicked London West End, Germany, Japan, and Australia
Wicked the Musical International Productions To stay updated on Wicked and Stephen Schwartz news, subscribe to The Schwartz Scene free newsletter Wicked in London on the West EndWicked on London's West End celebrated its 1000 performance on 14 February 2009. BUY TICKETS Wicked London Tickets at the Apollo Victoria Order Wicked Logo Merchandise from London, EnglandFind a large selection of Wicked - Official Merchandise Page
OR visit the boutique The Ozdust Boutique: The only official source for WICKED THE MUSICAL merchandise Read all about Wicked in London, UK: Cast info, tickets, news, etc. http://www.wickedwestend.co.uk The smash hit musical WICKED celebrated its 1000th performance at the sell-out matinee on Saturday 14 February. The award-winning musical opened at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre in September 2006 and is now in its third year. Acknowledged as 'the West End's most successful musical' (The Independent on Sunday), WICKED has already been seen by almost two million people and taken over £67 million at the Box Office. Wicked's executive producer for the UK, Michael McCabe, comments, "There is absolutely no sign of Wicked being affected by the credit crunch. In fact, theatregoers appear to be actively seeking out the show in this current climate in order to enjoy a night of pure escapism and value-for-money entertainment.” Wicked in Germany known as "Wicked: Die Hexen Von Oz"Wicked cast album from the Original German Cast is now available from the UK on an English language website. Songs include: 1. Keiner weint um Hexen Order from the UK Wicked - Original German Cast Recording - at DressCircle.com Wicked in GermanyThe German production, entitled Wicked: Die Hexen Von Oz, is moving http://www.stage-entertainment.de [opens new browser window] Premium tickets: Wicked in Cologne Germany You can read about Stephen Schwartz's experience of working with the German translator in issue 29 of The Schwartz Scene. For subscription and back issue information, go to The Schwartz Scene newsletter From Blog writer Stephen On Broadway who went to see the show in Germany: "...Fortunately, if the prolonged standing ovation by its audience -- along with three curtain calls -- is any indication, this German language version of the musical also entertains extraordinarily. It is an exceedingly faithful and excellent translation of the original." [His full blog report, with many plot spoilers, is at Die Vixen Von Oz... opens new browser window] Wicked in Australia
That doesn't mean the show isn't still popular in Melbourne. The Australian producer of the Wizard of Oz prequel, John Frost, said the decision to close in Melbourne was based on the availability of Sydney's Capitol Theatre for the next 12 months rather than any fall in sales. "We have taken more than $50 million at the box office already and expect to have a strong final three months," he said. "I hope we will not be far away from paying back all the investors by then. Melbourne has been absolutely fantastic." The costs and risks of mounting musicals are huge. Wicked cost $12.5 million to produce and about $600,000 a week to run. More than 500,000 tickets have been sold, of which about a quarter went to interstate and international visitors. AWARDS! News as of July, 2009 Wicked may be claiming some Helpmann awards. The Helpmanns are Australia's version of the Tonys and the Olivier Awards, given to recognise, celebrate and promote the live performance industry in this country. "THIS DAZZLING ENTERTAINMENT MORE THAN JUSTIFIES THE HYPE. The glitz and glamour and smiles, the anthemic tunes and mind-boggling sets. It also has a brain. WICKED has it all. " "WICKED OPENED TO A BLAZE OF GREEN GLORY AND STANDING OVATIONS. The show is a spectacle as only Broadway can create it. It is a visual masterpiece." "WICKED captures the lavishness, frenzy and big-belting tunes of Broadway. It is a seductive, big-budget, glossy entertainment which whips up emotions in big broad theatrical strokes. Stephen Schwartz’s music is like an exhilarating rollercoaster which sparks genuine show-stopping magic ." The official website is now up at http://www.wickedthemusical.com.au/ Wicked in JapanWebsite for Wicked in Japan Wicked opened at the Dentsu Shiki Theatre in Tokyo on June 17. For video clips see Wicked Japan A Note from Stephen Schwartz about the Japanese translation: "Although my schedule did not allow me to get to Japan to see the production, the rest of the production team (Joe Mantello, Wayne Cilento, Winnie Holzman, Stephen Oremus, the producers, etc.) all were there and were very pleased with how it turned out. Winnie and I did work extensively with the translators, with several meetings and back-and-forth Emails. I was presented with a "back translation" into English of the lyrics in Japanese, and I worked through many revisions until I was satisfied that they sufficiently conveyed the meanings of the original. Unfortunately, unlike for instance the current German translation on which I am currently working, I do not speak Japanese sufficiently to be able to have read the actual Japanese lyrics, but since apparently songs don't rhyme in Japan, that didn't seem to me as crucial as in the case of other translations. I can't say I was ultimately 100% satisfied with the translation, but I felt it turned out far better than I expected and in most important essentials conveyed the necessary content and subtext." A version of Wicked is also playing at Universal's theme park. Here's a report from a Wicked enthusiast: I have just come back from seeing Wicked At Universal Studios in Japan in Osaka. The Tony Award-winning blockbuster Broadway musical is now offered in a special stage adaption. It is an experience in itself to walk thru the entrance which has the sign above as Universal Studios and under it a sign that says.." Dream Year" which it trully is. You then proceed to walk thru the complex and look for The Land of Oz and the yellow brick road, (as soon as you enter onto it "Somewhere over the rainbow" starts playing. there is a magical oz go-round, Toto and friends the munchkin kitchen and munchkin's everywhere. Then you continue on to find the Magnificient Wicked castle and you enter into the Amazing production of WICKED. You are taken on a journey from the minute you enter the theatre and hear all the mechanics and ticking in preparation for the opening. The music starts and the stage is a splendour of emerald green, this amazing cast that works so hard and are all so young and talented bring the whole theatre alive with excitement. The choregraphy is very tight and precise, the singing is emotionally moving from this brilliant cast. This version is all done in Japanese and this cast had to learn the language in a short time and have done extremely well. The main songs are sung in English "Wizard and I" "Defying Gravity" "For Good" "Popular" Wicked in Japan - Blog entry Stephen On Broadway took a trip to Tokyo and reported that Wicked is doing well in Japan. He concludes about the many curtain calls that the people were happy with it. "In the end, that audience half a world away from home ultimately seemed equally impressed, further demonstrating the transcendent appeal of Wicked's tale." Wicked in Japan [opens new window] More Wicked Info |