Education Resource for Wicked the Musical

WICKED, will open in Sydney in from 25 August 2023 at the Sydney Lyric. [Book tickets via Sydney Lyric Theatre]

This musical provides students with a unique opportunity to explore the wonderful world of Oz and its characters from different perspectives. This production is not only entertaining, but also serves as a powerful tool for education.

Gregory Maguire’s novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (1995) was based on L. Frank Baum’s novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz and explored the untold story of the Wicked Witch of the West. The musical WICKED (2003), with its book by Winnie Holzman and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, is based on this revised telling of the classic tale of Oz.

The Australian Wicked Education Kit has been prepared to help you explore this musical with your students, tying in with the Australian Curriculum, including the subject areas of English, Humanities & Social Sciences, and the Arts, as well as the General Capabilities of Literacy, Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capability and Ethical Understanding.

This educational guide includes activities and materials for Years 7-12 exploring the themes of ‘good versus wicked’, ‘appearances and differences’, ‘friendship’, ‘popularity’, and ‘propaganda and critical thinking’.

Almost 20 years since its premiere, WICKED remains one of the most successful and popular musicals in the world. Winner of over 100 major awards including the Grammy Award, the Olivier Award, six Helpmann Awards, three Tony Awards® and six Drama Desk Awards, WICKED is “A Complete Triumph! An original musical that will make you laugh, cry and think” (USA Today).

The musical has played in 16 countries around the world including Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, The Philippines, New Zealand, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK, and has been translated into six languages. By the time of its first performance in Sydney, WICKED will have become the 4th longest running show in Broadway history (surpassing CATS).

The novel Wicked by Gregory Maguire, published in 1995, has sold 5.5 million copies, with 5 million of those sold since 2003 when the musical opened. Buoyed by the musical’s success, the novel has appeared on bestseller lists for close to two decades since its initial publication.

NSW Minister for the Arts and Tourism Ben Franklin said, “WICKED is a global sensation that has played to more than 60 million people in 16 countries, which will draw tens of thousands of musical lovers to the Harbour City, and will coincide with its 20th anniversary on Broadway. Securing blockbuster musicals for Sydney is key to our vision for the NSW visitor economy. This production will generate millions in visitor expenditure, support jobs in our arts and hospitality industries and help position Sydney as the cultural events capital of the Asia Pacific.”

Producer John Frost for Crossroads Live said, “I’m thrilled to present WICKED in Sydney, Australia’s Emerald City, in 2023. A proven blockbuster all around the world since it premiered, it has become one of the most loved musicals of all time. WICKED is a musical phenomenon and appeals to everyone from 8 to 80. People love it for so many different reasons – some come for the engrossing story, some for the astonishing sets and costumes, some for the soaring ballads, some for the deeper messages, and some to see the life-affirming friendship between the two young women who grow up to be Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.”

Long before Dorothy dropped in, two other young women meet in the land of Oz. One born with emerald-green skin is smart, fiery, misunderstood and possessing an extraordinary talent. The other is bubbly, blonde, ambitious and exceptionally popular. They become rivals, then friends…until the world decides to call one “good” and the other one “wicked.”

Download the Australian Wicked Education Kit

Visit the Wicked Education webpage for individual activities and downloads.