Director of WICKED, Karen Johnson Mortimer tells us why nobody should miss this classic musical.

What is WICKED all about?

Wicked is a story about the early life of the two well-known witches we all got to know through Frank L Baums, The Wizard of Oz. It’s a tale that truly teaches us to never judge a book by its cover – a journey of how their friendships develops through great highs and lows, through trust and perceived betrayal and most importantly, through forgiveness and acceptance.

Why do you think WICKED has captivated the hearts of so many audiences worldwide?

Firstly, I think many generations have read the book or seen the movie of The Wizard of Oz at some point in their lives and it stayed with them. Gregory Maguire, in his book Wicked, which the musical is based on, gives us a deeper insight into the land of oz and all the characters which we have come to love.

I first saw Wicked three months after it opened on Broadway, while on a holiday with my husband. Believe it or not, I knew nothing about the show! However, because people were raving about it, I bought a ticket. I could only get one so I went on my own. I was gobsmacked – obviously as I work in theatre,, I have seen and work on many shows but this one made me feel like I was seeing my first show ever. I cried, I laughed and I was so moved by the spectacle and its heart. There is no special difference in any area for Wicked compared to other musicals – it simply has the right ingredients in every department.

 How different will the staging of WICKED in Singapore be different from the original Broadway production?

There will be no difference as we are staying true to the concepts of the original creative team. The audience in Singapore can expect all of the above and an exciting night with us!

How have the crew been preparing for the play?

Our team is a group of people who collectively have years and years of experience working in theatre. Some have already been to Singapore on site visits during our Perth run to prepare all departments for the set up of the show. The technical crew are second to none and they are working to make Wicked look and sound its best with their wonderful expertise.

What do you think is the main message of WICKED?

There are many messages in Wicked. But for me, as cliché as it can sound, the show really delivers through the message of “never give up because your dreams can come true.” The show appeals and reaches to all ages and all generations so everyone from 8 to 80 should see it!

WICKED runs from December 6, 2011 to February 26, 2012 at Marina Bay Sands Grand Theatre. Tickets start from $55. For more information, log on to www.marinabaysands.com.