We all can be Wicked
- Abigail Mathias
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
What’s all the fuss about being nice? I often want to yell and scream at the person who suddenly swerves in front of me on any already packed highway. The highly acclaimed musical ‘Wicked’ kicked off its premier in the UAE on Thursday 28th January and the audience was in for a surprise.
After a few minor delays, the show began with much fanfare. For the first time ever, this UK-based show is being held in the Middle East. It will be playing at the venue till 15th February. Co-presented by Dubai Opera and Broadway Entertainment Group, Wicked is one of the most popular musicals in the world. It is also a big budget film with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.
The story follows the incredible journey that unfolds long before Dorothy’s iconic arrival in Oz. Wicked traces the journey of two remarkable young women. Glinda a beautiful, mildly proud, ambitious, and admired blonde girl and Elphaba, a brilliant, simple, yet misunderstood lass with emerald-green skin.
What begins as an unlikely friendship soon becomes a riveting rivalry that shapes their destinies as Glinda the Good and Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West. But that’s just the surface of the story. It goes a bit deeper to explain friendship. Both girls fall for the same love interest and one must give him up. It is a test to their friendship. Another special moment in the play is when Elphie (as she is called by Glinda), recalls her relationship with her father. The girls are truly magical on stage.
Wicked has captivated more than 65 million theatregoers across over 130 cities in 16 countries; bringing more than 100 performers, crew, and orchestra members. Audiences will get to see breath-taking sets, over 350 stunning costumes, and show-stopping musical numbers, including “Defying Gravity,” “Popular,” and “For Good.”
The singing takes you on a voyage. Most of the main cast members sing exceptionally well including the wizard who is ‘wonderful.’
A spellbinding story of sisterhood, identity, and empowerment, Wicked is the smash-hit musical by composer Stephen Schwartz, book writer Winnie Holzman, and based on the novel by Gregory Maguire.
It was great to see audience members dress up in green and watch the show together. Go, rediscover magic. Don’t miss it.
Well written as usual
Will plan to see it
Abi, this was such a lovely article.
You have captured Wicked so beautifully - not just the spectacle, but the heart of the story. I really liked how you focused on the friendship between Glinda and Elphaba, and how ideas of rivalry, love, sacrifice, and being misunderstood quietly shape who we label as “good” or “wicked.”
Your mention of Elphaba’s relationship with her father stood out - it’s such a tender moment and often missed, yet you brought it out with so much sensitivity. The way you touched on sisterhood, identity, and empowerment made this feel thoughtful and meaningful, not just a show review.
The magic, the music, the stunning scale, and even the audience dressed in green, everything came…
Excellent read!
Beautiful..Well written piece abigail