Wicked at San Diego Civic Theatre

San Diego! Something witchy is going on here! Are you ready for the most magical epic musical you’ll ever see?! Well, Wicked is making its phenomenal return this spring and it’s guaranteed to be the most exhilarating showdown of the season! The North American touring production delivers a mighty stellar ensemble cast, with brilliant talents of people behind the scenes! Together, they bring this three-time Tony Award winning epic to life! This riveting story about the origins of the Wicked Witch in the West and Glinda the Good will conquer San Diego Civic Theatre! Experience a heartwarming but also adrenaline rushing journey as Wicked takes you to the Land of Oz, where the Wizard is leading the regime! Don’t miss the musical hailed to be one of Broadway’s biggest blockbusters! Hurry and secure your passes now, Wicked will be available only for a limited time, so you better move fast! 

Wicked Tickets

“If every musical had the brains, heart, and courage of Wicked, Broadway would really be a magical place” – Time Magazine

This amazing production has entertained theater lovers across the world! Wicked is a groundbreaking epic that has been regarded as one of the most staggering cultural phenomenons Broadway has ever seen. This year, the musical – which continues to soar high on Broadway – will be embarking on its national tour! Yes, the rest of America can once again bear witness to the most epic witchy rivalry in the Land of Oz! Loosely based on the magical story of Gregory Maguire’s 1955 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch in the West and L. Frank Baum’s 1900 classic Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Wicked brings a glimpse into what went on before the two most powerful witches in the Land of Oz became bitter rivals.

The Wicked Witch in the West is most feared in the Land of Oz but before she became this sinister enigma, she was Elphaba, a green skinned witch entering Shiz University. With a lifetime of neglect and hatred from her step father, Elphaba becomes a product of a troubled childhood. Meanwhile, Galinda is a blond, popular witch loved by all. Her personality is pleasant and bubbly – a polar opposite of Elphaba’s. Both young ladies become roommates in the University. At first they clash due to different personalities. But a prank played by Galinda led her to having a change of heart. She befriends Elphaba and they become good friends. However, circumstances surrounding the two ladies led to this friendship taking a turn – from different points of views and same love interest. Things also went awry when Elphaba discovers how the Wizard of Oz is responsible for oppression of animals which led her to being sabotaged and named as the Wicked Witch of the West. 

Wicked is now celebrating its 20th year in production as the original 2003 epic that opened in San Francisco became one of the longest running musicals and one of the highest grossing Broadway productions with over 1 billion Dollars in revenue. The musical’s 2003 Broadway debut was met with immense commercial success that later led to multiple U.S. and UK tours, as well as productions across the world including Asia and Australia. 

No matter how many productions are mounted, the musical stays true to its original direction by Joe Mantello. The Tony Award-winning director brings this storyline by Winnie Holzman to life and excellently executes the stunning music and lyrics by multi awarded Stephen Schwartz. The musical is lauded for its remarkable visual and sound thanks to incredible work by multi award winning designers including Eugene Lee on scenic, Susan Hilferty on costume, Kenneth Posner on lighting, Tony Meola on sound, to name a few. 

The Broadway production brought in a staggering amount of accolades. With a superb creative team and a stellar cast, Wicked brought home three Tony Awards out of ten nominations, seven Drama Desk Awards, three Outer Critics Circle Awards, and a Drama League Award. The cast recorded an official soundtrack album and later earned the Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. 

“Broadway’s biggest blockbuster” – New York Times

The musical also gained countless praises from critics, including from the most influential theater reviewers in the circuit. “The lavishly designed musical addresses complex themes, such as standards of beauty, individual morality and, believe it or not, opposing fascism,” wrote TimeOut New York. The writer also gallantly added, “Thanks to Winnie Holzman’s witty book and composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz’s robust and pop-inflected score, Wicked soars.”

Over at the Guardian, the plot is receiving all kinds of compliments. “Winnie Holzman’s book is so efficient that every single moment of it contributes, in some small way, to advancing either plot or character,” wrote Australian theater reviewer Cassie Tongue.Lastly, Broadwayworld’s Lynn Beaver finally saw the latest production of Wicked. She mentioned that pretty much everyone in her circle has seen the musical except for her. But she finally checked out the 2024 spectacle in New York, “I expected to be dazzled, but I did not expect to be completely overwhelmed by the experience.”

This 2025, Wicked’s 20th anniversary production will land in San Diego, California. Theater lovers in towns, as well as visitors, are sure to go on an exhilarating ride into the Land of Oz. The San Diego Civic Theatre will transform into a magical wonderland that is Shiz University where both Elphaba and Galindo discover their fates as magically talented ladies. The venue provides the musical a top calibre facility with a deep stage specially configured to accommodate large productions such as this one. Meanwhile, superb lights and sound will up the ante and provide audiences with clear and crisp audio. Lastly, the venue is equipped with plush seating. Having to sit for a duration of two hours and fourty-five minutes can surely take a toll but not at the San Diego Civic Theatre, a venue that prioritizes guests’ comforts.

Hurry, it’s time to soar high and experience the magnificent epic featuring Elphaba and Galina! Wicked is a brilliant tale about friendship, rivalry, first love, and standing up against a powerful regime! It all happened way, way before the arrival of Dorothy in the Land of Oz. Now, you’ll get a look into why there’s a Wicked Witch in the West and Glinda the Good! Secure your passes now before it’s too late!

“A cultural phenomenon” – Variety