In case you haven’t noticed, there’s a green and pink juggernaut headed our way. We’re talking about “Wicked,” of course, the award-winning Broadway musical whose tale of Oz from the witches’ perspective has filled theaters for the last two decades.
Now the big screen version of Elphaba and Glinda’s tale has arrived, and it’s set to defy more than just gravity. Box office records are likely being shattered at this very moment. According to NBCUniversal, “Wicked” was already the No. 3 best PG-rated first-day ticket pre-seller of all time on Fandango, the movie ticket website, three weeks ago. Now, the deluge has arrived.The movie, which stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony-winning Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Grammy-winning superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda, debuted on Thursday. That makes this the ideal time to celebrate “Wicked” fandom in the U.S. and abroad.
If wearing Elphaba and Glinda Crocs and sipping Starbucks’ “Wicked” green cold brew isn’t enough for you, how about a themed vacation? The Land of Oz may not be an option, but here are some ideas for a “Wicked”-inspired vacation good enough to rival any trip to Munchkinland.
1. Seattle
Aptly nicknamed the Emerald City, Seattle is a good destination in November, when the North American tour of the “Wicked” musical is playing at the grand, Roaring ’20s style Paramount Theatre. (Bring friends. Groups of 10 or more receive discounted tickets. Or purchase tickets in-person at the box office to avoid online ticketing fees.)
Then head for the SIFF Cinema Downtown for a “Wicked” film screening, complete with photo op, themed concessions specials, craft beer and … wait for it … chocolate popcorn. The venue is the much-loved, former Seattle Cinerama Theatre, which was rescued by the Seattle International Film Festival after the theater shuttered in 2020.
And then? Head to the city’s Frank Gehry-designed Museum of Pop Culture, which has the Cowardly Lion costume from “The Wizard of Oz” on display.
Details >> Find more information on the Paramount Theatre, which is located at 911 Pine St. in Seattle, at www.paramounttheatreseattle.net. Find SIFF Cinema Downtown at 2100 Fourth Ave. in Seattle; www.siff.net. Museum of Pop Culture, 325 Fifth Ave. N. in Seattle; https://www.mopop.org.
2. Los Angeles
After its Seattle run, the touring version of the Broadway show heads to Los Angeles, where it’ll play at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre through Feb. 2, 2025. But that’s not the only “Wicked” magic in town.
Universal Studios Hollywood will display film props inside the park. Meanwhile, the Universal Cinema AMC at CityWalk Hollywood (which does not require Universal Studios theme park tickets to enter) will display costumes from the movie. Restaurants including Voodoo Doughnuts and The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen are serving up themed treats.
Details >> Hollywood Pantages Theater, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles; www.broadwayinhollywood.com. Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Cinema AMC, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City; www.universalstudioshollywood.com.
3. New York City
New York City is home to the Broadway version, which has been playing in the Gershwin Theatre since 2003. Last year, it became Broadway’s fourth longest-running production.
Stay in the Oz-inspired, themed suite at the New York Hilton Midtown, available between now and Jan. 5. Styled with a custom art deco aesthetic, the room includes two beds — one pink and one green. Whimsical touches include cocktails served from a hidden bar behind a bookshelf inspired by the Wizard’s Throne Room. Morning pastries are served via a floating balloon.
The room, which is only bookable as a two-night stay, is a pricey $2,400 per night (more than $5,500 for both nights after taxes). On the bright side, you’ll rack up a bunch of Hilton Honors points if you pay with a Hilton credit card.
Details >> Gershwin Theatre, 222 W. 51st St. in New York; https://broadwaydirect.com. New York Hilton Midtown, The Waterfall Plaza, 1335 Sixth Ave., New York; www.hilton.com.
4. Central Florida
Experience more “Wicked”-inspired adventures at Universal Orlando, which offers interactive recreations of movie scenes, including a walk down the yellow brick road.
Or, venture an hour east to Cape Canaveral to The Wizard of Oz Museum. With tickets at just $32, it’s a fraction of the cost of Universal Orlando tickets. The museum features projection-based exhibits that make you feel as though you’re walking through Oz, complete with a tornado simulation.
Details >> Universal Orlando, 6000 Universal Blvd., Orlando; www.universalorlando.com. Wizard of Oz Museum, 7099 N. Atlantic Ave, Cape Canaveral, Florida; https://wizardofozflorida.com.
5. Washington, D.C.
See one of the most iconic pieces of Oz history: Dorothy’s ruby slippers. On display at the National Museum of American History, the slippers are now part of the “Entertainment Nation” exhibit, which opened in 2022, though they’ve been on almost-continuous display elsewhere since they were donated anonymously to the museum in 1979.
Museum admission is free, making this a budget-friendly stop. Plus, nearby, affordable hotels include the Residence Inn Washington, DC National Mall and Fairfield Inn & Suites Washington, DC/Downtown. Both have nightly rates this December for less than $200 — and both hotel chains offer free breakfast.
Details >> National Museum of American History, 1300 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.; https://americanhistory.si.edu.
6. London
A version of the stage show has been performed at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in London since 2006. And just a three-minute walk from the theater, you’ll find The Clermont London, Victoria. The hotel hosts a “Wicked” afternoon tea serving mostly green treats, including lime cheesecake and a chocolate pistachio dessert. At about $52 per person, it’s one of the more affordable hotel afternoon teas.
Details >> Apollo Victoria Theatre, 17 Wilton Road, Pimlico, London; www.theapollovictoria.com. The Clermont London, 101 Buckingham Palace Road, London; www.theclermont.co.uk/victoria.
7. Bermuda
Bermuda is an archipelago made up of seven main islands and more than 100 smaller ones. “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” illustrator William Denslow famously used his earnings to buy one of them.
Today, guided tours can offer you a look at that island, briefly known as Denslow Island. For example, Norwegian Cruise Line’s shore excursion called Famous Homes & Hideaways Cruise puts cruisers who have docked for the day on a smaller boat to sail past the island.
If you’re arriving by air, new nonstop flights from major U.S. cities to Bermuda’s L.F. Wade International Airport offer many options. For example, United Airlines extended its previously seasonal, nonstop two-hour service from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to be year-round.