Spotlight on 'Wicked' with Danny Quadrino

As part of a series showcasing long-running shows, we speak to an actor who's been with the blockbuster musical on and off for a decade and now stars as Boq.

Summary

• Six star Krystal Hernandez discusses the show's themes of women's empowerment and joy; its devoted fanbase; and what goes on backstage at the show
• Six celebrates its fourth anniversary on Broadway in 2025

Wicked has been defying gravity on Broadway for over 20 years, and Danny Quadrino has been around for over 10 of them. Since his first stint in the musical's ensemble in 2015, he's stepped away for other theatre projects around the country — The Who's Tommy on Broadway, Jersey Boys in New Jersey, the national tour of Waitress — but he's always followed the yellow brick road back to the Gershwin Theatre. In fact, after wrapping Waitress in 2022, he was asked to return to Wicked with one day's notice!

Since March 2025, he's starred as the lovestruck Munchkin Boq — his first Broadway principal role. Quadrino has been a Wicked fan since seeing the show with the original cast, led by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, in eighth grade. His story echoes that of so many fans captivated by the Wizard of Oz prequel on Broadway and, now, through the two-part blockbuster film adaptation.

In telling a story of friendship — between "good witch" Glinda and "wicked witch" Elphaba — acceptance, and determination, Wicked has changed countless people, including Quadrino, for good. The actor reflects on the musical's staying power below.

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Why do you think this show has lasted so long on Broadway?

It has one of the most magical scores, and the source material is also one of the most beloved stories of all time. But the story becomes more and more relevant every year, which is both fortunate and unfortunate.

It just speaks to any person who comes to see it. Whether you're a theatre lover, whether it's your first Broadway show, whether it's your 17 millionth time seeing the show, there's always something new to connect to.

It really, truly teaches audiences empathy and loving somebody for who they are and not what they look like.

What is the best audience reaction you have seen to the show?

When Elphaba flies, the audience will sometimes erupt, and it's like we're at a rock concert. It is the coolest thing in the world to hear that applause. They're on Elphaba's side, and they're cheering for her, like, "You got it girl, sticking it to the Wizard!"

On a personal level, I love hearing the audience at the end, when those doors open and those two girls [who play Elphaba and Glinda] run downstage. They jump to their feet every night — it gives me chills just thinking about it.

I grew up loving the show so much; I saw it for the first time in eighth grade, and I was one of those people screaming mid-flight during "Defying Gravity" [...] and then watching them bow at the end, screaming like I was at a Spice Girls concert.

What is your favorite moment in the show?

Hearing someone's first [performance of the song] "The Wizard and I" makes me cry no matter what. Because all these people who come into the show ultimately become friends and family to me, so watching someone for the first time singing, "And I'll stand there with the Wizard," watching the towers move, and feeling that dream come true...

That has to be it: watching someone's first performance as much as I can from the wings, and just watching them grow in the role. And that's not only for Elphaba, that's Glindas as well, and everybody in the show.

What is a little-known secret about performing in the show?

There are so many little Easter eggs to The Wizard of Oz. There's a line that Madame Morrible says in the first scene; she goes, "It's just a slight gulch; we'll find someplace to put you." And Gulch is [a nod to Dorothy's neighbor] Mrs. Gulch in the movie. There's little things you would not really get if you're not really listening for them.

What do you hope audiences take away from the show?

We're all much more alike than we like to think sometimes. Truly, if we just listen to one another, we really can work together and, it's corny, but be changed and change the world for good.

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Interview excerpts have been condensed and edited for length and clarity.

Photo credit: Danny Quadrino and the cast of Wicked on Broadway. (Photos by Joan Marcus)