This winter, Wicked The Musical will land in Riyadh for the very first time, bringing one of Broadway’s most celebrated productions to the Saudi stage. Written as a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, Wicked tells the story of unlikely friendship, shifting loyalties, and the making of the so-called ‘Wicked Witch of the West’ we know today. Since its premiere in 2003, the musical has become a juggernaut of contemporary musical theatre, seen by more than 65 million people around the world. The Riyadh run is part of the show’s current international tour, arriving with a full orchestra, more than 100 performers and backstage crew, and over 350 costumes – the same scale and detail as its long-running Broadway and West End productions.
Its arrival in the Kingdom follows recent stagings of The Phantom of the Opera and The Lion King – both of which drew full houses with widespread acclaim. It also reflects a broader shift in the country’s increasingly rich cultural calendar, where full-scale musicals now hold a firm place.
Below, we take a closer look at the story of Wicked, its global legacy, and how to secure tickets for the Riyadh run.
What Is Wicked? – Story, Awards, Cultural Legacy
Wicked is the untold story of the witches of Oz – set long before Dorothy’s arrival in ruby slippers. Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, the musical reimagines Baum’s original world through a more emotionally complex lens, centring on two women whose paths cross at a mythical university: Elphaba, intelligent, defiant, and born with snake-green skin; and the lovely Glinda, ambitious and effortlessly adored. One is labelled ‘wicked’, the other ‘good’ – and the musical picks apart the dynamics beneath those labels.
Over the years, Wicked has amassed more than 100 international awards, including three Tony Awards, a Grammy, and an Olivier. Its enduring appeal lies in its layered narrative: the musical is part fever-dream fairytale, and part meditation on the making of a legend. This is reflected at the box office: Wicked is one of the highest-grossing musicals of all time, with Broadway ticket sales alone surpassing $1.5 billion – second only to The Lion King.
The original Broadway cast was led by Idina Menzel (later the voice of Elsa in Frozen) and Kristin Chenoweth, whose performances helped cement the show’s seemingly immortal place in pop culture. Songs like “Defying Gravity” and “Popular” have since become staples of the musical theatre canon – performed in schools, concert halls, and streaming playlists around the world. The musical gained renewed attention this year following the release of the long-awaited film adaptation – a two-part production starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, and Ariana Grande as Glinda.
Where, When, and How to Get Tickets for Wicked The Musical
In Riyadh, Wicked will run from December 3 to 20, with performances taking place at the King Fahd Cultural Centre – one of the city’s largest venues. Tickets are now on sale, with early demand reflecting the scale of the production. Pricing starts at SAR 80 for standard seating and climbs to SAR 750 for premium categories, including VIP rows with prime views of the stage. A handful of private boxes are also available for those attending in groups, though these are limited and sell out quickly.
Bookings can be made via the official Wicked website or through local ticketing platforms authorised by the organiser. As with other international productions staged in Riyadh in recent years, the best seats tend to disappear early. The show is entirely in English, and the cast is yet to be announced.
For those travelling into Riyadh for the show – or simply wanting to make a night of it – there are a number of excellent hotels nearby. The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh is one of the closest, surrounded by 52 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens. Its all-day restaurant, Al Orjouan, is a local favourite – generous and always busy on weekends.
Equally well placed is The St. Regis Riyadh – a newer addition to the capital, set in a dazzling contemporary structure with a notably warm hospitality team. The hotel’s in-house eatery, Jackie Restaurant, is a polished American-style brasserie serving Greek-American dishes – a fitting venue for a pre-show dinner, or something late and low-key after the curtain call.
Wicked, Vision 2030, and What Comes Next
The arrival of Wicked in Riyadh marks another milestone for the Kingdom’s burgeoning cultural sector. Under Vision 2030 – a national initiative aimed at diversifying the economy and expanding the creative industries – theatre has moved from the margins into the spotlight, with international productions now reliably woven into the winter calendar. Stagings of Phantom of the Opera and The Lion King set early benchmarks, and Wicked builds on that momentum with something bigger and more technically ambitious.
Its presence also points to the infrastructure taking shape across the country. New venues, better touring capabilities, and growing creative partnerships are all opening the door to deeper engagement – not just with audiences, but with aspiring local talent. More productions are expected to be announced in the coming months, including possible regional premieres and new works developed in collaboration with international houses. It’s a scene that’s absolutely worth keeping an eye on.
In this context, Wicked is more of a preview than a novelty – a glimpse of what Riyadh’s stages will begin to host more regularly. After its run in the capital, the show will travel to Dubai, where it is set to headline Dubai Opera from January 28 to February 15.
