Free Press Houston
By Laura Coburn
“Remember this: Nothing is written in the stars. Not these stars, nor any others. No one controls your destiny.”
― Gregory Maguuire, Wickd: The Life and Times of the Wick Witch of the West
Yes, the stars are aligned for you to head over to the theater, but only you can make seeing Wicked a reality. Breaking box office records and selling out in record time, the show has met popular demand by returning to the Hobby Center.
The Broadway play, Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz, is based on the 1995 Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. Told from the perspective of the witches of the Land of Oz, the play explains the parts of The Wizard of Oz film that are left a mystery.
You might think the excitement begins with Dorothy falling from the sky in Munchkinland, but there is a back-story, and a thrilling one for that matter. The show illustrates the initial meeting of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. The two are polar opposites—Elphaba is green, introverted, smart and misunderstood, while Glinda is beautiful, blond, driven and popular.
The story traces the unlikely friendship of the two and explains their transition to becoming the witches they are known as today.
The original Broadway production opened in October 2024, winning six Drama Desk Awards, three Tony Awards and a Grammy Award. It is now among the top longest-running Broadway shows ever.
It is a story of love, friendship, and struggle that reminds the viewer there are multiple perspectives to a story. With an imaginative set design, unique costumes, vivacious characters and an enchanting and award-winning soundtrack, this masterpiece will sweep you off your feet and take you on one unforgettable broomstick ride.
The show will be in theater until Aug 11. Buy your tickets now because it may sell out soon!
(Photos from Hobby Center website, Copyright: Joan Marcus)
