What I Learned at Shiz University: How ‘Wicked’ Changed the Lives of Its Stars
The New York Times
Only the women who’ve played Elphaba and Glinda in the show’s two decades onstage understand why the roles are so taxing — and so rewarding, too.
The graduates of Shiz University are making their alma mater proud.
In the 21 years since “Wicked” opened in New York, 43 women have starred full-time as Elphaba or Glinda — frenemies who meet as Shiz undergrads — and many more have taken on the vocally taxing roles in productions across the United States and around the world.
Shiz has taught them well. After leaving the show, many have gone on to glittering careers, on Broadway and beyond. Three former Elphabas were nominated for Tony Awards this year, while four former Glindas have appeared in principal roles.
As a smash-hit Hollywood adaptation introduces millions more to this revisionist history of Oz, we checked in with alumnae of the stage show to ask what they learned there. These are edited excerpts from our conversations.
Chenoweth, who won a Tony Award in 1999 for “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” originated Glinda on Broadway in 2003. She is now one of Broadway’s most-loved stars and is planning to return next season in a musical adaptation of “The Queen of Versailles.”
How did you first get involved with “Wicked”?
The year 1984 was a watershed in pop music. The stars who’d made it big the previous decade had to embrace new instruments and MTV or risk being left behind.
The house goes all out for its V.I.C.s.
The “Succession” actor is an awards front-runner for “A Real Pain,” but his actual priority is being a dad: “That’s the whole point of life.”
A chance meeting in December 2017 plunged Zoë Kestan, a downtown “it” girl and social media star, headlong into an unpredictable affair.
The artist, who has supported the protests against the Tate group of museums, won the prestigious British award for an installation that includes a car covered by a giant doily.
A chance meeting in December 2017 plunged Zoë Kestan, a downtown “it” girl and social media star, headlong into an unpredictable affair.
The artist, who has supported the protests against the Tate group of museums, won the prestigious British award for an installation that includes a car covered by a giant doily.
Listen to how Tchaikovsky uses the celesta in “The Nutcracker,” unleashing the potential of the instrument to signal playfulness and fantasy.
In their bedazzled hoodies and crystal-embellished T-shirts, hype-driven shoppers may be the last true dandies left.
“Die Frau Ohne Schatten,” a dense ode to fertility, may not sound appealing at first. But in this performance, the fairy tale comes movingly to life.
Our film critics rank their 10 favorites this year.