When Wicked flew into Broadway’s Gershwin Theatre on October 30, 2003, initial reviews were surprisingly lukewarm. While theatregoers immediately fell in love with the untold story of the Witches of Oz, many opening-night reviews questioned whether the big-budget production had the staying power to last.
More than two decades later, the beloved blockbuster has thoroughly defied gravity and those early mixed reactions. As Wicked celebrates a massive 23 years on the Great White Way, the fan-favorite phenomenon proves that passionate audiences always get the final say in Broadway history.
The story, adapted into a two-part, hugely successful feature film franchise in both 2024 and 2025, took viewers behind the Wizard of Oz‘s curtain and revealed the true story of the witches Galinda and Elphaba. It explored their complex journey from misunderstood roommates to the iconic figures audiences thought they knew, and gave the classic tale an entirely new emotional depth.
Yet, while theatergoers instantly connected with Elphaba and Glinda’s story, top Broadway reviewers weren’t nearly as enchanted. Opening-night reviews were surprisingly mixed, with several prominent critics questioning if the big-budget production had the emotional heart to match its eye-popping spectacle.
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Variety wrote, “It’s not easy being green. Or blonde, for that matter. Those are just two of the many lessons to be learned from this big, murky new Broadway musical. There are flying monkeys, flying witches and flying scenery, but the musical itself truly soars only on rare occasions, usually when one of its two marvelously talented leading ladies, Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, unleashes the kind of vocal magic that needs no supernatural or even technical assistance.”
Additionally, New York Magazine said the musical, known for its soaring “Defying Gravity,” “Popular,” and “For Good,” only had one song their critic enjoyed. “‘Wonderful’ has a memorable tune, and even that rather trite. The lyrics might as well be spoken rather than sung, except that then we could make out the words, which have at best intermittent sparkle,” the critic claimed.
Kristin Chenoweth, who originated the role of Galinda, told Playbill, “I just remember saying to Idina, ‘Man… It’s not going to matter what the critics say. Do you hear that? Do you hear that audience?’ That’s what I remember from intermission.”
According to the website Broadway World, the musical has since gone on to gross $1,884,565,687 at the Broadway box office alone. The production has also toured the world extensively for the past 21 years.
The musical was nominated for 10 Tony Awards after its debut, but missed out on Best Musical to Avenue Q. Wicked won Best Actress in a Musical for Idina Menzel, Best Costume Design and Best Scenic Design.
Wicked is currently running on Broadway.
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