Wicked at Orpheum Theatre Minneapolis

“Packed with spectacular coups de theatre and magical effects!” – The Daily Telegraph

Minneapolis, this season the yellow brick road is leading down to the Orpheum Theatre, where a world of magic, spellbinding music, flying monkeys, and green witches awaits! 

It’s a tale of complex friendships, contrasting personalities, conflicting viewpoints, and a shared love interest that is everything you dreamed it would be and way more; it’s a broom that glides through many musicals of years gone by, outdoing every single one and smashing every expectation; it’s breathtaking theatrics that will impress even the most unimpressible; it’s intricate stagecraft that will leave you breathless and unable to leave without having fallen head over heels for it – and it’s coming your way! 

It’s been two decades after its debut, and the witches are still enchanting, the tale is still flying, the reviews are still overwhelmingly positive, the audiences are still on their feet, and the runs are still sold-out. The lung-collapsing vocal power is still jaw-dropping, the stagecraft still highly impressive, and the story ever so relevant – and this season you’ll get to experience it for yourself – not on a film screen or a television, but live, on stage! That’s right, Minneapolis – get ready to have your expectations smashed to smithereens, because Wicked is coming to the Orpheum Theatre Minneapolis! 

Wicked Tickets

Tickets are on sale now directly from the Orpheum Theatre’s box office, and the venue is filling up fast as to be expected, so head down there to secure your seats to the world’s favorite award-winning musical now! Alternatively, if you’d prefer not to kickstart your broom and would rather not risk not getting your tickets in time before they’re sold out, you can simply click on the ‘Buy Tickets’ link to be redirected, and with a few clicks you’ll have your tickets in the bag – it’s never been this easy! 

“This is what stage magic is all about. This is live theatre at its finest.” – Houston Press

SYNOPSIS

“What a spectacle this is! Keep your eye on the witches. These wonderful girls from Oz are a delight.” – Newsday

Before Dorothy’s arrival in Oz, two very different witches and an unlikely pairing – one highly popular, and the other ostracized for being green, become close friends. Elphaba, the green witch, is furious at the abuse of animals in the land of Oz – particularly objects devised to keep animals from speaking, and enchantments that cause monkeys to painfully sprout wings. This encourages Elphaba to fight the system hand, tooth, and magic wand. Because of her opposition to the Wizard’s regime, she becomes widely known as the Wicked Witch of the West. 

What would the impact of Elphaba’s actions be on the unlikely friendship that formed between herself and Glinda, or their shared love interest? And if a house suddenly falls from the sky and crushes her sister Nessarose, and Nessarose’s enchanted shoes are given to the house’s occupant? What would happen when a lust for power threatens to tear a perfect world apart? 

While Wicked is top-tier entertainment for the whole family, the tale is loaded with clever subtext full of social commentary for those who like to look deeper than the surface. Sit back, and let Wicked work its charms – you’ll either feel like you’re under a spell, or like a spell has been lifted and you can see the world clearly once more. Either way, the true power of smart storytelling is at work here – and you will be captivated from the get-go! 

“Prepare to be spellbound by spectacular costumes, thrilling technical wizardry, and phenomenal songs – all wrapped up in a topical tale.” – Metro

CREATIVE TEAM

“This wondrous untold adventure in ‘Oz’ will leave you spellbound.” – Steve Allen, LBC

Wicked is loosely based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, with a book by Winnie Holzman and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. The tale as a whole is inspired by L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. 

This year’s North American tour of the worldwide theatrical phenomenon Wicked is headed up by the world-renowned creative team that has been behind the successful production for many years, including its recurring visits to the Orpheum Theatre Minneapolis. Renowned director Joe Mantello (Love! Valour! Compassion!, Proposals, The Vagina Monologues, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, Assassins, 9 to 5, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Little Bear Ridge Road) is heading up the creative team, with Wayne Cilento handling the musical staging, and the talents of set designer Eugene Lee, costume designer Susan Hilferty, lighting designer Kenneth Posner, and sound designer Tony Meola. 

“A remarkable kaleidoscope of magical shocks, surprises and sensations – ‘Wicked’ works like a dream.” – Evening Standard

CAST

“Built on songs by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman, the show is steeped in talent.” – The New York Times

The star-studded cast that will be bringing the spellbinding tale to life, includes the talents of Timothy Shew as The Wizard, Jessie Davidson as Elphaba, Laurel Harris as Elphaba Standby, Zoe Jensen as Glinda, Eileen T’Kaye as Madame Morrible, Nicolas Garza as Boq, Ethan Kirschbaum as Fiyero, Drew McVety as Doctor Dillamond, and Jada Temple as Nessarose. 

“The best thing about ‘Wicked’ is its stars, whose talents cast a powerful spell.” – Spectrum News NY1

HISTORY & LEGACY

“An unforgettable tale of friendship and acceptance.” – Official Theatre

Following Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, in turn based upon L. Frank Baum’s iconic 1900 novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Winnie Holzman has created a masterful, flawless book, and with the music and lyrics of Stephen Schwartz, Wicked came to life. 

The production had its premiere on Broadway at the Gershwin Theatre in 2003 under the leadership of director Joe Mantello and choreographer Wayne Cilento, featuring Idina Menzel as Elphaba and Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda. Since then, Wicked had a long-running stint at the West End as well as multiple North American tours, becoming the first Broadway production ever to earn over $5 million in a single week. Wicked is currently the second-highest grossing musical in the world, just after The Lion King. 

To date, Wicked has received numerous awards, including three Tony Awards and seven Drama Desk Awards, while its original cast recording won a Grammy Award. 

Wicked has also been released in a two-part film in 2024 and 2025, receiving numerous accolades. 

“One of the greatest musicals of our time. A truly magical show full of imagination and emotion that is not to be missed.” – WhatsOnStage

THE ORPHEUM THEATRE MINNEAPOLIS

“We must all be off to see this wicked and wonderful vision of ‘Oz’.” – Evening Standard

This season, prepare for the iconic Orpheum Theatre, one of Minneapolis’ four restored theatres on Hennepin Avenue, to be lifted high into the sky with the help of the very same tornado that Dorothy got caught in, and land safely deep in the land of Oz! Come experience the historic theatre being transformed into the Emerald City, where music, magic, and witches rule! 

The Orpheum Theatre has been dazzling Minneapolis and the bigger Minnesota for over a century with the best of the best in entertainment – from world premieres to national Broadway production tours, from straight plays to music concerts, and much, much more. The Orpheum Theatre is known and adored for its gorgeous design with six terra cotta bas relief sculptures, intricate plastering with garlands, swags, and medallions, ceiling dome with 30,000 squares of aluminium leaf, and luxurious, comfortable, tiered seating for up to 2,579 patrons across a pit area, a main floor, and a balcony, ensuring wonderful, unobstructed sight-lines. To top that, the Orpheum Theatre also boasts state-of-the-art lighting and sound, making it a much sought-after venue for large-scale productions; fantastic amenities that cater for every want and need; and incredible pin-drop acoustics. 

You are truly spoiled for choice when it comes to picking your seats at the Orpheum Theatre – because here, every single seat is a fantastic seat! 

“‘Wicked’ dazzles the senses and touches the heart.” – Lynn Parsons, Smooth Radio