“Wicked” will host multiple events to mark 20 years on Broadway. From Oct. 27-31, the musical will celebrate with special performances, a block party, a free panel discussion with the show’s creators and more. “Wicked” opened at the Gershwin Theatre on Oct. 30, 2003.
On Oct. 27, the current company of “Wicked” will perform on “Good Morning America” in its 8:30 a.m. ET half hour. The performance will be viewable from the street outside ABC’s studio on 44th Street and Seventh Avenue.
Two days later, on Oct. 29, “Wicked” will host a morning block party from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the covered passageway outside the Gershwin Theatre. The morning will include exclusive photo ops, music from DJ Mike Borowski and more from “Wicked”’s anniversary partners, such as Hershey’s, Shake Shack, Catch ’N Cream, TodayTix, the New York City Parks Department, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Audience Rewards and Scenery Bags.
Later that day, the musical’s two performances will each take on a theme with a “Pink Performance” at 2 p.m. and a “Green Performance” at 7 p.m. Ticket holders for the afternoon show will receive pink merchandise and a card signed by the production’s current Glinda, McKenzie Kurtz. Attendees at the evening show will be gifted green merchandise and a card signed by the current Elphaba, Alyssa Fox. Audiences at both performances will receive a collectible “Wicked Day” Playbill and more. Additionally, actors who have previously played the role of Glinda will be available for photo ops at the pink performance, and Elphaba alumnae will be available for photos at the green performance.
On Oct. 30, the official anniversary of “Wicked,” the Empire State Building will be lit green. That night, “Wicked” will present an anniversary performance for fans and alumni of the musical. The show will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Finally, on Oct. 31, the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts will host a free panel discussion featuring “Wicked” book writer Winnie Holtzman, composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz and producer David Stone. Further details will be announced.
Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, “Wicked” tells the story of the witches of Oz (first depicted in “The Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum), but before Dorothy enters the picture. “Wicked” musicalizes the tale of the unknown friendship between Glinda, the Good Witch, and Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West.
“Wicked” was nominated for 10 Tony Awards, winning for its costume design by Susan Hilferty, scenic design by Eugene Lee and the performance by one of its leading actors, Idina Menzel.
“Wicked” is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Stage Productions, the Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.
Correction: A previous version of this article misstated the curtain time of the “Green Performance” on Oct. 29. This has been corrected.
