“Wicked” is the magical word of the new year.
First, “Wicked,” the Broadway show, is the first-ever theatrical production to log box office grosses of $5.04 million, for the week ending Dec, 29
Secondly, “Wicked,” the movie (Part One), has grossed $634.4 million at the box office since it opened last Nov. 22. The sum includes $424.2 million from the American market, and another $210.2 million from foreign markets, according to Deadline.
Clearly, the film version has helped to generate audiences in New York, combined with the sustained Christmas and New Year visitors holidaying in the Big Apple .
Clearly again, the stage production –ensconced at the Gershwin Theatre — has undoubtedly been introducing movie fans to check out the original production of the Broadway hit.
And in Sunday’s (Jan. 5) Golden Globes Awards, “Wicked” won the first-ever Cinematic and Box Office Award as the season’s artistic favorite and boffo hit, despite failing to win acting laurels for Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Director Jon M. Chu also was overlooked by the Golden Globes voters.
Based on Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman’s theatrical musical (which is itself based on Gregory Maguire’s novel), “Wicked” is about Galinda (better known as the Good Witch of the North), and Elphaba (better known as the Wicked Witch of the West) and their formative years at Shiz University. For those not yet acclimated to the witches, Elphaba is the green witch.
The second installment of “Wicked: For Good,” the continuation of the story, is due Nov. 21, 2025. It’s very likely that the Broadway production will be around then. Which begs the question: Will there be a repeat of grosses the end of next year?…
Broadway grosses, for the week ending Dec. 29
“Wicked” made box office history when it grossed $5.04 million, attracting audience in the holiday mood. Even “The Lion King” pulled in $4.2 million, lofty figures for the season.
The Top 10:
1–“Wicked,” $5.04 million
2–“The Lion King,” $4.2 million
3–“Hamilton,” $2.93 million
4–“Aladdin,” $2.81 million
5–“The Great Gatsby,” $2.62 million
6–“MJ The Musical,” $2.6 million
7–“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” $2.39 million
8—“Elf,” $2.3 million
9–“The Outsiders,” $2.02 million
10—-“Back to the Future,” $2 million
The complete figures, courtesy the Broadway League:
And that’s Show Biz…