Wonderfully Wicked

Wicked, the musical based on Gregory Maguires book of the same name, is a national phenomenon in the US. On September 7, it opens in London's West End. Will this be the show to start a golden era of musical theatre in London?

London, England (PRWEB) August 13, 2006 -- Ever wondered what happened before Dorothy landed in Oz? How did the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow come to be? Wicked, the new musical about to hit London's West End stage, tells the story from an alternative point of view.

The musical, based on the Gregory Maguire book of the same name, is a national phenomenon in the USA. On Broadway alone it makes more than $50 million per year, and is at 100 percent capacity most nights. In one week alone, the week ending January 1, 2006, Wicked grossed $1,610,934 making Broadway history by breaking the record for the biggest weekly gross, which was previously held by Mel Brooks' The Producers.

Aside from Broadway, Wicked has a touring production, a "sit-down" production separate from the tour in Chicago, and it is being rumoured that a forth production is to be opened in Los Angeles at some point next year.

Soaring musical scores, witty lyrics and mind-blowing vocal talents drive this show to somewhere unseen in musical theatre recently, and mark the return to the traditional Broadway musical. Composed by Godspell composer Stephen Schwartz, who returns to musical theatre after working on Disney's Pochahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Meet The Parents with Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro, the piece de resistance is the climax of Act 1, Defying Gravity.

Defying Gravity is a song that visually and vocally sets out to stun. Its high octane, belting vocals and supreme set, costume and lighting design make it one of the most important scenes in musical theatre history.

Wicked celebrated its 1000th performance on Broadway on March 23, 2006, and still has critics and audiences raving. Its inclusion and prominence in the multi-Emmy-award-winning PBS documentary Broadway: The American Musical, narrated by Julie Andrews, only serves to convince us that this musical is the beginning of a new Golden Era of Musical Theatre.

The West End is in the midst of a comeback with shows such as Dirty Dancing and The Sound of Music expected to make a big splash. Andrew Lloyd Webber and David Ian's "How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?", which airs every Saturday evening on BBC One, certainly suggests that there is increased interest in the West End.

However, will Wicked meet its match in the West End? The show will premiere in the UK on September 27, 2006 at the Apollo Victoria theatre in Victoria, directly opposite smash-hit success Billy Elliot. Yet, with fellow Broadway companions already open and suffering in London, will Wicked have success in a venue outside of the heart of Theatreland? This remains to be seen, but with good early signs in ticket sales, let's hope this is one that is going to stay.

For now, we can sit back and enjoy the silent rumblings of the West End elite as Wicked builds to a crescendo.

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