“From the page to the stage…” WICKED: THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE WITCHES OF OZ

“COULDN’T BE HAPPIER” TO START THIS UNIT!

A BRIEF INTRODUCTION… “Wicked” opened on Broadway on October 30, 2003 at the Gershwin Theatre in New York City. Since its 2003 debut, Wicked has broken box office records around the world, currently holding weekly-gross-takings records in Los Angeles, Chicago, St. Louis, and London. “Wicked” is the 11 th longest running Broadway show in history, with over 4,603 performances as of October 30, 2013, the show’s ten year anniversary. The Broadway production has won numerous awards, including three Tony Awards, six Drama Desk Awards, and the original cast received a Grammy Award for “Best Soundtrack/Cast Album”.

Wicked tells the story of two unlikely friends, Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda the Good, who struggle through opposing personalities and viewpoints, rivalry over the same love- interest, reactions to the Wizard's corrupt government, and, ultimately, Elphaba's public fall from grace. SO MUCH HAPPENED BEFORE DOROTHY DROPPED IN..

NO ONE MOURNS THE WICKED! The opening number of the Broadway musical. Not what you expected, was it? How do you think the show will play out? Do you think that Elphaba (The Wicked Witch of the West) is as bad as what the Ozians are making her out to be? Assignment: Make up your own story to “Wicked”. Don’t research the show to find out what happens! Use YOUR imagination! Write YOUR version of the story, and within the next few days, we will find out how close you were!

FROM THE PAGE TO THE STAGE… The musical is based on “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West” by Gregory Maguire, which was published in THIS book was an alternative telling of the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz” and L. Frank Baum's classic 1900 story, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”.

BUT WERE THE ORIGINAL MOVIES AND BOOKS TELLING THE TRUTH? Wicked Witch from “The Wizard of Oz” (1939 Elphaba, played by Idina Menzel, in Wicked (2003)

WHO ARE THE PEOPLE THAT BRING A BROADWAY SHOW TO LIFE? Composer/Lyricist Stephen Schwartz- Fought with Maguire for a while for him to allow the book to be turned into a Broadway show rather than a movie. Writer Winnie Holzman- Helped to develop the outline of the plot into a two and a half hour musical. Producer Marc Platt- Brought the words and structure to the stage. And most importantly…

Idina Menzel as Elphaba Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda the Good Norbert Leo Butz as Fiyero Carole Shelley as Madame Morrible Joel Grey as The Wizard Manuel Herrera as Chistery THE ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST!

“DANCING THROUGH LIFE AND SKIMMING THE SURFACE…” In order for a production to be considered a musical, it must have a story, music that tells a story, and choreography, which is the dancing to a show. The choreography of “Wicked” brings to life the story and it helps to enhance the magic of the show. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look to the dancing of “Wicked”! Ahttp:// A

THE LEGACY Surpassing over 4,500 performances, Wicked is still being shown eight times a week and continues to break box office charts in the world of Broadway. After it’s year of opening, the show went on to become nominated and win many different awards, such as a Grammy Award and a Tony Award.

IT’S GREEN AROUND THE WORLD! “Wicked” has made it’s way across the entire world! The show now has productions in over 20 countries, such as Australia, Tokyo, China, Mexico, and more!

“ARE PEOPLE BORN WICKED? OR DO THEY HAVE WICKEDNESS THRUST UPON THEM?” “Wicked” tells the story of two completely different people who come together through the power of love and friendship. Themes of “Wicked” Love and acceptance Friendship Compassion “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover” Determination.

“BECAUSE I KNEW YOU, I HAVE BEEN CHANGED FOR GOOD…”

# T RANSFORMATION T UESDAY