Wicked
The re-telling of the L. Frank Baum novel The Wizard of Oz was set to stage in 2003. The alternative story, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, told through the perspective of the witches of Oz was written by Gregory Maguire and adapted for stage by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman. The musical premiered in San Francisco in 2003 and swiftly moved to Broadway later that year.
After three successful years on Broadway the musical opened in the West End at the Apollo Victoria Theatre where it continues to this day. The performances on Broadway gained the musical much attention as it was nominated for ten Tony Awards and successfully won the Award for Best Actress, the Award for Scenic Design and the Award for Costume Design as well as obtaining six Drama Desk Awards.
This success continued when it opened on the West End. Wicked broke the record for highest box office sales during opening week. In the first hour alone the musical grossed sales of over £100,000 as audiences desperately tried to get tickets for the show that had caused much a sensation on New York’s Broadway. Wicked continues to experience the same success today.