Behind The Curtain: The History of WICKED (Part One)

WICKED is one of the most successful musicals in history. But just how bumpy was the Yellow Brick Road to Broadway? Find out in the first episode of Behind The Curtain, featuring interviews with original Broadway cast members Ben Cameron and Kathy Deitch!

Follow Ben Cameron on Instagram: @bendoesbroadway
Follow Kathy Deitch on Instagram: @ladeitch

Behind The Curtain explores the histories of Broadway shows, from the flops to the long running hits. Find out all the drama that happened on and off the stage of your favorite Broadway shows!

Leave a comment with suggestions on what you’d like to see explored next!

CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
2:13 Gregory Maguire
3:14 Hollywood Comes Knocking
3:34 Stephen Schwartz & Winnie Holzman
4:55 Developing WICKED In LA
5:35 Kristin Chenoweth
6:24 David Stone & Joe Mantello
7:30 Idina Menzel
8:43 NYC Reading
10:01 Preparing For San Francisco
10:38 Kathy Deitch & Ben Cameron
12:14 Table Read
13:04 WICKED Premieres in San Francisco
14:54 Creative Team Tensions
16:35 Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
19:10 WICKED Comes To Broadway
21:20 It’s a Hit!
22:25 2004 Tony Awards
27:12 AVENUE Q Tony Campaign
28:37 Pink VS Green
32:01 Idina’s Accident
32:57 End of Part One

[lorrainem.swartzentruber]

I got to see Idina before she left the musical. I had tears in my eyes when she rose up at the end of "Defying Gravity." Such a great lesson for little girls.

[liseyboop]

“not one song is memorable”

actually made me laugh. boy were they wrong, so loudly wrong 🤣

[GsusZealot]

"Idina and Kristin didn't get along" *plays 'what is this feeling' in the background* I laughed out loud! Nice touch. XD

[thomasbradley]

I saw wicked during it’s pre-broadway run in San Francisco and loved it. (I was also a fan of the book). The night I saw it Kristin was wearing a neck brace due to an injury, but she was still amazing. In the scene after Nessarose is crushed and Glinda and Elphaba fight, as Elplaba got ready to slap Glinda, Kristin pointed to her neckbrace and shrugged her shoulders. It got a huge laugh

[KHobbies_cina]

Finally about Kristin and Idina's relationship. I've heard the rumours for so long

[benjamincollins]

Kristin had said she was offered wicked & the west wing at the same time, before signing on for wicked. She said it might have been the right decision. As a leader for all wicked fans, Kristin we love you for being in wicked. Thank you for being in it.

[MarcusMartn]

I love the orchestration for wicked especially in the opening song No One Mourns The Wicked

[kiapet]

Wicked has such a special place in my heart. I was one of those teenage girls who identified with one of the leads- I have a distinct memory of crying in the bathroom while listening to I'm Not That Girl- and it was the first show I fell in love with, and arguably what got me into Broadway musicals.

[KD-szbx]

I saw wicked live. Our seats were the last row in the auditorium. But you could hear the singers so loud, crisp and clear. It was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve got to see.

[stephenhall]

Okay, I love that raunchy puppet play as much as the next guy, but Wicked was ROBBED!

[fernandabluntkrasinski]

Who imagined that Wicked lost against to Avenue Q and years later Idina will work with Kirsten Anderson Lopez and Robert Lopez in Frozen 1 and 2

[flowerrchilddxchase]

Wow, idinas reaction when she wins, the way Kristen immediately was so happy for her and they were both so emotional, and her speech. I cried.

[amethystoceanna]

I love when YouTube algorithms get it right and actually suggest something I didn’t know I needed. Great Wicked deep dive...some things I’d never seen before. Can’t wait for part 2. 💚💗

[fan_girl]

there is nothing more sweeter than Chenoweth!! their chemistry on stage was unmatched. No matter how times I listen to for good, I will cry my eyes out. Special shout out to god for putting two incredible gifts on this earth! 🙏🌎✝️

[wallacephillips]

I was lucky to work at Wicked as an Usher 73 times. I also saw it as a guest 6 times. From experience, it's better to see the show first as a guest. In the big Gershwin Theatre, you'll have to report to different areas as an Usher, like the seating area, the lobby, the monitor, and other places.

In the beginning you have to hold latecomers until "Dear Old Shiz." Then you have to hold the next latecomers until the ensemble entrance of "What is this Feeling." Then you either go home or work the rest of the show. After Intermission, you had to hold latecomers during "Thank Goodness." It was all pretty fun and I miss the other ushers, especially the head-usher.

[itsactor]

This is the best Wicked documentary I have ever seen! The amount of research that has gone into this is mind-blowing.
There was some information that I didn’t know about and I have been a hardcore fan of the show since 2004! Also, there was some footage I’ve never seen before.
Where did you get all the footage from the San Francisco tryouts? Never seen that clip of Idina singing The Wizard and I. She sounds great!

[pallafox]

I'm impressed how SJB remained faithful and loyal to the wicked team after she was not originally chosen to open on broadway. Clearly, times have changed with the divas and they were more respectable with the people they work with.. cough... Lupone... cough cough.

[RadMad]

This channel has so much potential. The interviews are such a unique addition and focusing on Disney or big Broadway hits will get the clicks. Looking forward to more videos in the future since I recently binged the entire channel.

[freedomlife]

I am Japanese and one of my bucketlist was watch wicked at Broadway. The day came on few years ago and when I hear first note, I start to cry and all trough the show I was crying. How beautiful this story is and master work of people who are making this show happen. I AM AN OWE OF IT. I can't wait to see movie coming up. I will buy DVD and cherish it for sure.
How amazing who made all of songs of wicked. All the song is just magic. Genius.

[shaas]

My husband took me on our first date to Wicked in Chicago Feb 2009, we're reliving that date in a few weeks time. This show kick started my love for Broadway ❤