Before its official opening, Wicked did a trial run in San Francisco starting May 28, 2003. Think of it as a rock band warming up in a garage—except that garage cost millions and had a full orchestra. The San Francisco reviews were mixed. Some critics said “Meh,” while others whispered, “Is the green witch just a metaphor for eco-anxiety?” (Answer: No, but close.)
So the creative team panic-rewrote half the show. They cut songs, added songs, and made the flying monkey act less like a rejected Disney villain. By the time the production limped into New York, it was a different beast entirely. The official first preview on Broadway was October 8, 2003. That’s right: two weeks of tinkering before the big unveiling.
The Big Night: October 30, 2003
Opening night was a circus. The Gershwin Theatre was packed with stars, teenagers in witch hats, and Idina Menzel (Elphaba) wondering if she’d actually fly. Kristin Chenoweth (Glinda) was so nervous she later admitted she peed in a cup because she was afraid to leave the stage. (Yes, really. Broadway is glamorous.)
Broadway's Biggest Blockbuster is Flying into Melbourne in 2026
The critics’ reviews came out the next day—and they were all over the map. The New York Times called it “a mixed bag,” while other outlets screamed “triumph!” Yet the audience didn’t care. Tickets sold out for months. The show became a cultural phenomenon overnight, and “Defying Gravity” became the anthem for anyone who’s ever felt like an outcast (or owned a green t-shirt).
But here’s the surprising part: Wicked didn’t win the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2004. It lost to Avenue Q, a puppet show about porn and unemployment. Avenue Q! The green witch got revenge by being more profitable than the entire GDP of some small nations.
