‘Wicked’ will take you over the rainbow

Opening Statement

By Julian J. Frazin

Julian J. Frazin, a retired Cook County circuit judge, has written several musical theater works, two illustrated children’s books and music lyrics.

Posted October 7, 2022 3:11 PM

When the musical “Wicked,” described as a prequel to the “Wizard of Oz,” opened on Broadway in 2003, I had no great expectations for its success.I wondered how it could possibly attract fans of the 1939 MGM classic film starring Judy Garland or devotees to “The Wiz,” a 1978 production with an all-Black cast that featured Michael Jackson and Diana Ross.Therefore, I was amazed to learn that original show had been nominated for 10 Tony Awards in 2004, winning three. It lost out for Best Musical to “Avenue Q,” a very clever …

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