WICKED is San Francisco's Sweeping Contribution to Popular Culture

There are only two cities in the United States that currently have open ended sit down runs of WICKED — New York City and San Francisco.  The San Francisco production, which began performances at the historic Orpheum Theatre on January 27, 2009, has particular resonance for audiences in the Bay Area. This production is a significant homecoming for WICKED, which had its world premiere in San Francisco in 2003 before casting its spell on Broadway, winning 20 major awards, including the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards.

San Francisco audiences feel a special connection with WICKED. The 2003 world premiere in San Francisco followed a long development process during which the entire creative team and cast immersed themselves in the musical’s launch at the Curran Theatre. From these roots in SF, WICKED has gone on to become a worldwide phenomenon that has since redefined theatrical popular culture. 

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom proclaimed "WICKED Day in San Francisco," welcoming the international phenomenon back to the city where it had its world premiere.

“We San Franciscans know that we are trendsetters, and as the very first group of WICKED fans, we are proud to say that this worldwide phenomenon began right here,” said Mayor Gavin Newsom. “I am so delighted that we have our very own San Francisco production of the show. I know that having WICKED as a component of the cultural experience we offer will be a boon to those of us who live here as well as the thousands of visitors who come to San Francisco.”

The San Francisco production of WICKED broke the one-week San Francisco theatre box office record, the week after it opened, grossing $1,459,610.50 in box office receipts surpassing the record previously held by The Phantom of the Opera.

The New York Times describes WICKED as "Broadway's biggest blockbuster" and "one of the most successful shows in Broadway history," and Variety says that "WICKED is a cultural phenomenon." 

WICKED is the untold story of the witches of Oz. Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the land of Oz. One, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. WICKED tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda, the Good Witch.

STAY WICKED WHEN YOU VISIT SF

For the totally wicked experience, check into the Wicked suite at the Serrano Hotel, click here for details. To view Wicked travel possibilities in San Francisco, click here.

Check out the phenomenon of WICKED worldwide.

For a look backstage at the San Francisco production of WICKED, click here for more features on the show.

For more information about WICKED world-wide, visit now. 

To contact the Publicity Department for the San Francisco engagement of WICKED, e-mail or call 415-551-2075.

Discover everything there is to know about visiting San Francisco — just click here.

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