Wicked - 3 new videos of Oz-some musical!

The Official Wicked channel on Youtube has just posted 3 new videos highlighting various aspects of the musical. Producer Marc Platt discusses the creation of Wicked based on Gregory Maguire's book (which I wouldn't recommend) and L. Frank Baum's classic The Wizard of Oz. As much as I had issue with some of Maguire's book, I adored the musical and will gladly go back for a 5th time if the opportunity presents itself!

(Note: cast members shown here are not the current members on Broadway)

The Creation

The Characters

Backstage on Broadway

More info about WICKED

Wicked - costume design part 2

WICKED takes you on another exclusive behind-the-scenes journey.

Behind the Emerald Curtain: Costume Edition welcomes you to the costume shop to learn about the delicate beading that makes the costumes of WICKED so dazzling.

See more on costume design of WICKED

Read more about Wicked the Musical

Lea Michele - Dorothy of Oz & Wicked

Lea Michele to play Dorothy AND the wicked witch? Yes, please.

From Broadway.com, news that Stephen Schwartz is considering Lea for the role of Elphaba in Wicked movie.

"Lea Michele is fantastic and it'd be silly to say she wouldn't be under consideration [for the role of Elphaba]."

Schwartz also revealed to Broadway.com that the movie version may require audiences to put on 3D glasses to see the witches of Oz fly.

"It'll probably be in 3D because that's where all [movies] are going," Schwartz told us. "We're talking to a lot of potential directors, as a lot of people know, and I think we'll make a decision pretty soon." Among the considered directors is Glee creator Ryan Murphy, who already has experience adapting popular books for film with Running with Scissors and this year's Eat Pray Love. "We like Ryan and had a great meeting with him," Schwartz said of the director. "I've always been a big fan of his."

I love the casting choice of Lea for Elphaba, especially once I came to the realization that Idina Menzel would be too mature to play the part. If I had one wish granted for the Wicked movie, it would be that Lea play the green-skinned wicked Witch of the West! (and also that Idina and Kristin have cameos.)

But Mr. Schwartz, please not in 3D!!! Cast that thought from your mind...

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In the meantime, Lea is already providing the voice of Dorothy in upcoming animated Dorothy of Oz which is expected to hit theaters in spring of 2012 so if the Wicked role pans out she'll be both Dorothy and her nemesis!

Wicked - costume design

"Behind the Emerald Curtain"... we get a peek at the costume production for Wicked. Based on Gregory Maguire's novel, with musical written by Stephen Schwartz, this musical twist on L. Frank Baum's story of the Wizard of Oz continues to draw crowds at the box office.
Have you seen it? I'm excited to see my 4th performance of it this fall!

Costume designer Susan Hilferty discusses the elaborate outfits

that she's designed for Broadway's successful musical!

Follow the construction of a new Madame Morrible costume, from bolt to Broadway.

Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda

Some facts about the costumes for Wicked:

There are approximately 263 costumes constructed for each new production of Wicked based on 180 unique costume designs (duplicates of some costumes are made for understudies and others).

What covers the feet of the actors? One or more pairs from the 240 pairs of handmade shoes for each new production of Wicked.

As many as 250 artisans and craftspeople in the US and overseas work on a new production of Wicked.

The ruffles in the skirt of Elphaba’s Wicked Witch dress require 40 yards of fabric to complete.

The fabric for the Shiz uniforms was designed by Susan Hilferty exclusively for Wicked and is custom printed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. No two “uniforms” are alike.

It takes 424 manhours per week to maintain the costumes for Wicked on Broadway.

There are a minimum of 6 loads of laundry for every performance of Wicked.

[Source: musicalschwartz.com]

I was tickled to hear Hilferty mention some Steampunk aspects to the design :)

See costume design part 2

-> More info on Wicked