'Wicked' film wins at 2025 Academy Awards
Broadway veteran Paul Tazewell notably made history as the first Black man to win an Oscar for Best Costume Design for his work on the hit movie musical.
Wicked, the hit film adapted from the blockbuster Broadway musical, was well-represented at the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025, where it took home two awards out of 10 nominations.
With his win for Best Costume Design, Paul Tazewell made history as the first Black man to receive the prize, and now also the first Black man to win an Oscar and a Tony. Tazewell is a veteran Broadway costume designer with nine Tony Award nominations under his belt, and he is currently represented in New York with Hamilton (for which he won the Tony), MJ The Musical, and Death Becomes Her.
Wicked also won Best Production Design, for production designer Nathan Crowley and set decorator Lee Sandales. The film's additional nominations include for Best Picture, Best Original Score (for John Powell and Stephen Schwartz), Best Actress (for Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba), and Best Supporting Actress (for Ariana Grande as Glinda).
Erivo and Grande kicked off the Oscars ceremony by singing a medley of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz, "Home" from The Wiz, and "Defying Gravity" from Wicked.
Set before the events of The Wizard of Oz, Wicked centers on the friendship between Glinda and Elphaba, which gets tested when Oz deems one of them the "good witch" and the other a "wicked witch." The musical has been playing at the Gershwin Theatre since 2003, making it the fourth-longest-running show in Broadway history.
The 2024 Wicked film covers the first half of the musical, and the upcoming Wicked: For Good, slated for release on November 21, will cover the second half. Alongside Erivo and Grande, the films' stars include Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Ethan Slater as Boq, Marissa Bode as Nessarose, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard, Bowen Yang as Pfannee, and Peter Dinklage as Doctor Dillamond.
The current Wicked Broadway cast includes Lencia Kebede as Elphaba, Allie Trimm as Glinda, Brad Oscar as the Wizard, Jordan Litz as Fiyero, William Youmans as Doctor Dillamond, NaTasha Yvette Williams as Madame Morrible, Jenna Bainbridge as Nessarose, and Daniel Quadrino as Boq.
Get Wicked Broadway tickets now.
Photo credit: Paul Tazewell. (Photo courtesy of AJM Public Relation)
Frequently asked questions
What is Wicked about?
The Tony-winning musical Wicked made Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth household names, and nearly 20 years later, Wicked remains a popular audience favorite. This prequel to The Wizard of Oz flips everything you know about good and bad witches, centering on Glinda and Elphaba's long-lost friendship. Defy gravity and learn more about Wicked tickets on Broadway today.
Where is Wicked playing?
Wicked is playing at Gershwin Theatre. The theatre is located at 222 West 51st Street (between Broadway & 8th Avenue), New York, 10019.
How long is Wicked?
The running time of Wicked is 2hr 45min. Incl. 15min intermission.
What's the age requirement for Wicked?
The recommended age for Wicked is Ages 8+. Children under 5 will not be admitted..
How do you book tickets for Wicked?
Book tickets for Wicked on New York Theatre Guide.
Who wrote Wicked?
Wicked is written by Winnie Holzman (book) and Stephen Schwartz (music and lyrics). Holzman's book is based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel Wicked.
What songs are in Wicked?
Wicked's Tony-nominated score includes songs such as "Defying Gravity," "Popular," "For Good," "No Good Deed," and "Dancing Through Life." Learn more about all the songs in Wicked on Broadway.
Is Wicked appropriate for kids?
Wicked is recommended for children ages 8 and older. The show is a popular family-friendly Broadway show that audiences of all ages enjoy. Please note that children 4 and younger are not permitted in Broadway theatres.
What is the Wicked musical based on?
The Wicked musical is based on Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, a novel by Gregory Maguire published in 1995.
When did Wicked open on Broadway?
Wicked opened in October 2003. It is the fourth-longest-running Broadway show of all time as of 2023.
Who directed Wicked on Broadway?
Two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello directed Wicked on Broadway. He has directed more than 30 Broadway shows and is known for Assassins, Take Me Out, 9 to 5, and The Odd Couple.
Is Wicked good?
Wicked is one of Broadway's longest-running shows and is among the best-reviewed shows on New York Theatre Guide.
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