Is Wicked the Musical Based on a Book
Yes, Wicked the musical is based on a book. The stage production adapts Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which reimagines the Land of Oz from the perspective of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch. The musical uses Maguire's novel as its primary source material, while the original 1939 film The Wizard of Oz serves as a secondary cultural reference point for audiences. Learn more about the novel's background at Forbes.
The musical Wicked was created by composer Stephen Schwartz and writer Winnie Holzman. It premiered on Broadway at the Gershwin Theatre in October 2003 after an out-of-town tryout at San Francisco's Curran Theatre in May 2003. The Broadway production is produced by Universal Stage Productions in association with David Stone, Marc Platt, Jon B. Platt, and the City of Dreams Manila. The show remains one of the highest-grossing productions in Broadway history, with the Broadway run regularly cited among the top 10 longest-running shows on Broadway by Playbill and The Broadway League.
Source Material and Adaptations
Gregory Maguire's Novel
Gregory Maguire's Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West is a revisionist fantasy novel published in 1995 by ReganBooks/HarperCollins in the United States. The book is the first installment of The Wicked Years series, followed by A Lion Among Men (2005) and Out of Oz (2011). Maguire's novel draws on L. Frank Baum's 1900 book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and the 1939 MGM film, but it reframes the narrative to explore themes of prejudice, propaganda, and political power. The novel has sold millions of copies worldwide and has been translated into more than 30 languages.
From Page to Stage
The musical adaptation keeps the core plot of Maguire's novel while expanding and altering certain storylines for the stage. The show follows Elphaba, who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West, and Galinda, who becomes Glinda, from their college days at Shiz University to their complex relationship with the Wizard of Oz. The production uses songs such as Defying Gravity, Popular, and For Good to advance the story. The Broadway production is licensed by Universal Music Group and Music Theatre International, with the official script and score available through MTI's catalog.
Broadway Production and Ticket Data
Wicked opened on Broadway at the Gershwin Theatre on October 30, 2003, and has played continuously since then. The Gershwin Theatre, located at 222 West 51st Street in New York City, is one of the largest Broadway theaters with a seating capacity of approximately 1,933. According to The Broadway League, Wicked has grossed over $1 billion in Broadway ticket sales over its run. The show has been seen by more than 70 million people worldwide across all productions.
Wicked currently runs on Broadway with performances Tuesday through Sunday. Tickets are sold through Telecharge, the official ticketing partner for the Gershwin Theatre, with prices varying by seat location and demand. The production employs a full orchestra and features elaborate costumes and stage design by Eugene Lee, with lighting by Kenneth Posner and choreography by Wayne Cilento. The show has been nominated for multiple Tony Awards and has won several, including Best Actress in a Musical for Idina Menzel in 2004.
Global Reach and Official Licensing
Wicked has been staged in multiple countries and