Cherry and Spoon: Broadway tour of "Wicked" at the Orpheum Theatre

Saturday, July 11, 2026

Broadway tour of "Wicked" at the Orpheum Theatre

Since Wicked was last in Minneapolis in 2022, the much anticipated movie adaptation has been released, not one but two films starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, and a bunch of stars. I saw both movies on the big screen (a rarity for me, I'm too busy seeing live theater to go to the movie theater) and loved them both; I think it was a successful adaptation that captured the magic of the musical. But Wicked is inherently a stage experience, and the 2nd National Tour that began in 2009 is still going strong, and scheduled to continue through 2034! The release of the movies seems not to have dimmed the enthusiasm for the live production. But you may be thinking, I can see Wicked in the comfort of my own home, why go out and see it on stage? Keep reading and I'll give you 10 reasons to see this tour of Wicked before it flies away on August 9. And I will share some photos and insights from a few days ago when I had the privilege of watching the tour being loaded into the Orpheum Theatre, a massive undertaking, but one that after a couple decades of experience runs like clockwork. This is the 6th time that the Wicked tour has stopped in Minneapolis, and unlike most shows it's sticking around for five weeks. This was my 8th time seeing Wicked on stage (I've seen every tour, one of them twice, and also saw it on Broadway once), and it never ceases to thrillify.

Here are 10 reasons to see the original Wicked musical live on stage:

The number one reason to see Wicked on stage is for the live performances. The movie performances were fantastic, but they had the benefit of multiple takes and editing; there are no do-overs on stage. This group of talented humans, from cast to orchestra to backstage crew, is creating this unique experience live in front of us. That's the beauty and the thrill of theater.
Elphie (Aline Mayagoitia) and Glinda (Claudia Bennett)
(photo by Joan Marcus)
This pair of Elphaba and Glinda are really something to see. We learned on the tour that they began playing these roles about a month ago, but they both seem like naturals. Aline Mayagoitia (who was in the Ordway's 2017 production of In the Heights) and Claudia Bennett are so Elphie and Glinda, but also bring their unique voices and talents to these iconic roles. Aline has a natural ease in her voice and performance, Claudia is adorably perky and awkward in her movements, and together they a dynamic duo.
The supporting cast is also fantastic, from Tom McGowan who opened this tour in 2009 as the Wizard, has played the role around the world, and now returns to the tour as the genial and lovable (but corrupt) Wizard; to the uber charming Ethan Kirschbaum as Fiyero; to Broadway vet Susan Cella as Madame Morrible in her most morribleness; to every last member of the ensemble playing multiple roles, human and otherwise.
they couldn't be happier! (Ethan Kirshbaum as Fiyero, Claudia Bennett
as Glinda, and Susan Cella as Morrible, photo by Joan Marcus)
There's no better way to hear Stephen Schwartz's iconic, beloved, and endlessly singable score (I might have sung along quietly to "Thank Goodness" whilst watching the video feed in the lobby after getting caught in the interminable bathroom line) than as played by a live orchestra. Six touring musicians are joined by nine local musicians in the pit, conducted by Faith Seetoo, for a full rich sound.
The magical steampunk set is over twenty years old (obviously with improvements and replacements made as necessary), and it's wonderful to watch a practical set without a heavy reliance on projections like many of the new sets (Eugene Lee won the Tony for the Broadway set design). Set pieces and backdrops fly in from the sides and overhead smoothly and seamlessly, people and objects fly through the air, with lighting and a minimal use of projections to complete the experience, transporting us to the magical world of Oz. I got a close-up view of the set at load-in, and the amount of detail in every corner is staggering.
The Tony-winning costumes (by Susan Hilferty) also haven't changed in decades, the bright greens of the Emerald City, the black and white Ozdust party outfits, Glinda's pastels and Elphie's blacks and dark greens, and the fantastical creatures.
A musical written over 20 years ago, based on a novel written in the 90s, which was in turn based on a book written almost a century earlier, is surprisingly resonant with today's world: a "popular" leader (do they have brains or knowledge? don't make me laugh) who lies to citizens, giving them a common enemy to unite them, taking away the rights of certain people (or Animals), and a group of friends who work together to stand up to the bullies and make the world better for everyone. It's a story that feels like it was written for right now, right here.
Wicked is the rare musical (or any piece of popular entertainment) in which the central love story is between friends. It's such a beautiful celebration of female friendship (even and especially between very different females), of female power, of overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles by working together.
While I absolutely understand the appeal of watching things in my living room, there's something special about watching it with friends and strangers who also love said thing. It's a chance to dress in costume or color (so much pink and green!), or watch other people in their fan attire, enjoy a specialty cocktail (at the theater or nearby restaurants), and make an event of it.
In the age of AI, let's get out and support artists and crew and support staff - both the touring company and the many locals who are working on this show - as they pour their hearts and souls out for our entertainment. The company manager told us that everyone was excited to be in a city where they could also see theater; a bunch of them had plans to see Come From Away at the Guthrie, and I gave him a few other suggestions of what to see while they're in town. So much great theater to see!

The Wicked tour was in Omaha on Sunday, took down the set and loaded it into over a dozen semi-truck trailers in just five hours, and headed to Minneapolis. On Monday morning, the 18-person touring crew started unloading everything into the historic Orpheum Theatre with the help of 85 local crew members, and finished in about 30 hours well in advance of the first performance on Wednesday. On Tuesday morning, members of the press, influencers, and subscribers were invited to watch the load-in, so I joined my friends from Tracy Sees Stuff, Lettered in Theatre, and Minnesota Theater Love. Company manager Steve Quinn, who's worked for the Wicked tour for 21 years, showed us around the theater and on the stage, and answered every question we had. This 2nd National Tour began in 2009, and does 8 shows a week, 52 weeks a year, for a total of over 6000 performances. The huge dragon that hangs over the stage is made of Styrofoam, and they actually have two of them, so that the other one can be sent to the next location in advance (this one is called Oswald, the other is called Norbert after the original Fiyero). One of the trailers is entirely filled with merch; they have more merch than any show except for the Lion King (stop by the merch booth just to the left as you enter the Orpheum).

It was such a thrill to get a peek inside the process of setting up the world of Wicked, and watch crew members in hard hats busy at work on stage, bringing in everything from the flooring to the backdrops stored high above. The Wicked tour and Hennepin Arts were very gracious to invite us into this space, and the workers didn't seem bothered at all by our presence and just went about their business. When we go see touring shows, we rarely think about everything that has to happen to move the show from place to place, and this experience opened my eyes to the impressive work done by so many people to make it happen.

Here are a few photos of the Wicked load-in; for more go to @cherryandspoon Instagram (and @letteredintheatre and @tracyseesstuff).