From Oz to Mumbai: Wicked’s Broadway Magic Shines at NMACC
By Radhika Sharma
Mumbai, 1st April 2026: No One Mourns The Wicked, but the one thing theatre lovers certainly mourned was the closing night. One of the most popular Broadway musicals in the world, Wicked, played its final show on 29 March 2026 at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, bringing an unforgettable theatrical run to a close.
At its heart, Wicked is a story that transcends timelines, weaving together the worlds of The Wizard of Oz and Gregory Maguire’s The Wicked Years series, two works written nearly a century apart, yet bound by a shared universe. While L. Frank Baum’s 1900 classic presented a straightforward tale of good triumphing over evil, Maguire’s reimagining complicates that binary, offering a darker, more introspective perspective. His books humanise the Wicked Witch of the West, portraying her not as a villain, but as a deeply flawed and misunderstood individual shaped by her environment and experiences. Themes of nature versus nurture, propaganda, social alienation, and moral ambiguity run through the narrative, giving it a philosophical depth that resonates strongly even today.
The 2003 Broadway adaptation distilled these layered ideas into a visually rich and emotionally engaging musical, a legacy that has only expanded with its recent film adaptations. Yet, it is on stage that Wicked truly comes alive, and the Mumbai production was no exception.
What sets this production apart is how seamlessly it merges storytelling with immersive theatrical craft. Every technical element becomes a narrative tool rather than a mere spectacle. Lighting and fog, in particular, play a crucial role in shaping the audience’s experience. Soft, diffused lighting creates moments of intimacy and quiet reflection, while stark contrasts and enveloping fog signal danger, uncertainty, or even a shift in allegiance. These transitions are often so subtle yet powerful that they guide the viewer’s emotional response without a single line of dialogue being spoken. The stage itself feels fluid, almost alive, constantly shifting between reality and illusion, much like the world of Oz it seeks to portray.
The performances further elevate this experience, striking a careful balance between emotional intensity and humour. Voice modulation becomes a powerful tool in the actors’ hands, allowing them to navigate complex emotional landscapes while still finding space for hilarity. Even in the most intense moments, there are flashes of wit and charm that make the characters feel deeply human rather than symbolic. This interplay of humour and gravity does not dilute the narrative; instead, it enriches it, making the emotional beats land with greater impact.
Each character is brought to life with nuance and attention to detail, their quirks and contradictions fully realised. The evolving relationship at the core of the story feels authentic and layered, drawing the audience into its emotional highs and lows. It is this combination of strong performances and thoughtful direction that ensures the story remains as compelling as its spectacle.
From its intricate set design to its masterful use of music, lighting, and performance, Wicked proves why it continues to be a global phenomenon. Its run in Mumbai was more than just a series of shows; it was an experience that lingered long after the curtains fell. As the final applause echoed through the theatre, what remained was not just admiration for the production, but a deeper appreciation for storytelling that dares to question, reframe, and reimagine what we think we know.
