Theatre review: Wicked’s third outing in Singapore well-timed to ride on movie hype

Wicked

Base Entertainment Asia Sands Theatre March 20

For a modern classic such as Wicked, previously staged here in 2012 and 2016, timing is key.

And this is the first instance that the stage production, which is running at the Sands Theatre until April 27, is bookended by two movies adapted from it and covering each of its two acts.

The first film of the same name, adapted from Act 1, opened in cinemas in November 2024, with Hollywood stars and Oscar nominees Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in the lead roles of witches Elphaba and Glinda respectively.

The critically acclaimed musical fantasy movie – which has grossed more than US$739 million (S$986 million) at the worldwide box office – won two Academy Awards for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design, and received eight other nominations, including for Best Picture.

It was also accompanied by a powerful marketing blitz on social media, advertisements during major events like the Olympics and tie-ups with brands such as Lego and Mattel. A theme park attraction is also said to be in the works.

When the sequel, Wicked: For Good, is released in November 2025, another round of hype looks set to sweep the globe.

So, there is no more opportune time to get acquainted – or reacquainted – with the theatre version, as a reminder of the movies’ source material and a preview of what to expect from the second movie.

As a live show, Wicked’s foundations are rock-solid. First performed in 2003, the story is set in the Land of Oz before and after Dorothy’s arrival, and explores the complex friendship between the fiery green-skinned Elphaba and bubbly blonde Glinda, as well as Elphaba’s time in university.

The clever revisionist book by American playwright-screenwriter Winnie Holzman explores relatable themes such as prejudice, perceptions of good and evil, and the power of narratives to shape public opinion.

The tightly written script also carefully reinterprets many events from the original The Wizard Of Oz story, allowing potential fans an easy entry point while inviting them to question the version of events they have been told.

Wicked’s music and lyrics by American musical theatre legend Stephen Schwartz also feature earworms such as famed power anthem Defying Gravity and the delightful Popular.

These ingredients make for an exhilarating ride of magic, friendship and living outside of society’s expectations, well executed by Australia-based actresses Courtney Monsma as Glinda and Zoe Coppinger as Elphaba.

Yet, its first act is likely to draw comparisons with the first movie, especially among fans of the film.

For example, the musical’s scene in which characters Fiyero (Australian actor Liam Head), Glinda and other students belt out Dancing Through Life in front of a statue does not showcase the complex choreography of the cinematic equivalent, featuring English heart-throb Jonathan Bailey spinning around a library with rotating bookshelves.

For those who are not put off by spoilers, be prepared for the darker turn taken by Elphaba’s wheelchair-using sister Nessarose (Tasmania native Chelsea Dean), and how the relationship changes between Madame Morrible (Australian actress Jennifer Vuletic) and Glinda.  

While there is something to be said about the big-screen adaptation outshining the original in the cultural zeitgeist, returning to where it all began is still nothing short of a wicked time.

Book It/Wicked

Where: Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue
When: Until April 27, 8pm (Tuesdays to Saturdays), 2pm (Saturdays), 1 and 6pm (Sundays); there is an extra show on April 18 at 2pm
Admission: $68 to $300 via Marina Bay Sands (

str.sg/sdEb

) and Sistic (call 6348-5555 or go to

www.sistic.com.sg

)