The Global Media Site for Entertainment.
Menu
Broadway’s Gershwin Theatre celebrates 20 years of Wicked performances by rolling out the green carpet and some amazing extras were added to make the performance that much more memorable for those who were lucky enough to witness the anniversary show. The celebration ran for the entire month of October allowing fans the experience of a lifetime. From the time you entered the theatre and were handed your special playbill celebrating the anniversary, to the bows at the end of the show, 20 years of Wicked has not slowed them down, and the entire theatre community expects Wicked to run for a very long time.
At the anniversary show, Wicked was greeted by several original performers including the iconic Tony Award winners Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel who starred as Glenda and Elphaba, the main characters of the story. Wicked flew into its debut on Broadway in 2003 on 30 October, but previews for the show began as early as 8 October that year. After 20 years of Wicked and 7,718 performances, it is the fourth longest running production on Broadway in history topped only by other fantastic shows (Phantom of the Opera with 13,981 performances, Chicago with 10,561 performances, and The Lion King with 10,179 performances). After only a year on Broadway, Wicked won 3 Tony Awards in 2004 for Best Actress in a Musical given to Idina Menzel, Best Scenic Design, as well as Best Costume Design.
Wicked was not only celebrating the anniversary of the show, but the return of an original cast member to the stage. William Youmans returned to the show as his original character of Dr. Dillamond. William Youmans originally took his final bow back in 2005, and only recently rejoined the current Broadway cast.
“This is really the greatest thing that I have ever experienced, to come back to Wicked. When I took my final bow in 2005, I came out with a sign that said, ‘I’ll be back.’ Because Wicked was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. My career was completely revolutionised…To finally come back after 18 years, it’s magical. There’s really no other word for it. I broke down in tears.”
Some of William Youmans’ recent work before his big return to the green land of Oz includes To Kill A Mockingbird in 2018, Carousel in 2018, and Bright Star in 2016. Although many of the current Broadway cast members have welcomed him with open arms for his return. William Youmans even stated that “while I don’t regret anything I did in between, I’m thrilled to be back.” Luckily, he has transitioned back into his original role of Dr. Dillamond quite easily.
Several celebrities have even gone to social media to reminisce in their fond memories in the 20 years of Wicked. Personally, my favourite memory of Wicked was seeing it with my sister and mother on my first trip to New York City. Like everyone else who has seen the spectacular show, I have been changed for the better.
Janine has always been a part of music and performing. The first show that inspired her to go into theatre was the Velveteen Rabbit which she saw as a child, and Drew works to keep that magic alive in her work. When Drew was accepted into an internship program for audio engineering at a recording studio, she jumped at the opportunity. That was at the start of 2020, and so much has happened since then, both in her career and in the world. Since then, Drew has taken several opportunities to work at recording studios, concerts, festivals, and even large theatres while spending some time on tour. Drew's favorite by far though, has been the chance to work on Broadways and West End shows, as this was a dream come true. Drew is honoured to get to share these experiences from being inside the entertainment industry.
Read Full Profile
© 2021 TheatreArtLife. All rights reserved.
Thank you so much for reading, but you have now reached your free article limit for this month.
Our contributors are currently writing more articles for you to enjoy.
To keep reading, all you have to do is become a subscriber and then you can read unlimited articles anytime.
Your investment will help us continue to ignite connections across the globe in live entertainment and build this community for industry professionals.
