Having seen the Broadway production back in November 2012, I arrived at Madrid’s Nuevo Teatro Alcalá to see Wicked el Musical with high expectations.
Review of Wicked el Musical
The beautifully renovated venue itself sets the stage perfectly – thematic and atmospheric (I believe it may have been a movie theater previously?), it provides an ideal home for this spectacular production.
The most striking aspect of this Spanish production of Wicked (adapted by ATG Entertainment from the London show) is that the actors, orchestra, and production team have absolutely nothing to envy of their Broadway and West End counterparts.
This is world-class theater.
The lead performances delivered exactly what Wicked fans hope for.
As Elphaba, Cristina Picos’ thoughtful and powerful “Defying Gravity” (“Desafia la gravedad) did not disappoint, while Cristina Llorente, as Glinda, sang “Popular” with the perfect showcase of vocal talent and charm. Notably, Picos and Llorente are the first two actresses to portray Elphaba and Glinda in Spain.
The supporting cast maintains the same high standards set by the leading ladies. Nessarose (Lydia Fairén, who is also – not surprisingly, the cover for Elphaba), Boq (Neizan Martín), Fiyero (Xabier Nogales), Madame Morrible (Guadalupe Lancho), and Dr. Dillamond (Esteban Oliver) all contributed to a cast that never dropped the ball.
A HUGE shoutout to Javier Ibarz as The Wizard. The moment he started to sing “A Sentimental Man” (“Un gran sentimental”), his voice was so commanding and sensitive, I immediately wished he would appear as Jean Valjean in the upcoming production of Les Misérables in Madrid!
Also, the ensemble deserves special recognition; their synchronization and energy throughout the dancing and singing in both acts were phenomenal, bringing each scene to vibrant life.
The production design is as breathtaking as the on-stage artists.
The costumes alone are worth the price of admission, which, by the way is a steal compared Broadway.
Glinda’s iridescent blue dress in the opening and closing numbers, Elphaba’s dramatic long black dresses, Madame Morrible’s regal and attention-drawing gowns, the radiant emerald-toned, eccentric clothing of the people of Oz… they all radiate meticulous attention to detail.
The scenic and lighting design are impressive, working in perfect harmony with Stephen Schwartz’s music compositions to create truly magical moments throughout the show.
As my first experience seeing a musical in another language, I found Wicked el Musical entirely captivating.
The Spanish script and versions of the songs translate incredibly well, both linguistically and culturally. The production has an emotional depth to match its technical excellence with a story arc that reads wonderfully from first entrance to final bow. The second act felt particularly moving.
Para David Serrano y Alejandro Serrano: Chavales, habéis hecho un trabajo incredible.
Note bene, I am fluent in Spanish.
For those who aren’t, and considering how dialogue-based this production is, I would recommend familiarizing yourself with the story beforehand (seeing Jon Chu’s movie starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande would be a great way to do this!).
This way, you can fully appreciate the incredible voices, stunning production design, lighting, music, and overall artistry even if you miss some of the spoken nuances.
The only disappointment of the evening was some of the audience’s behavior.
Whether due to a less-established theater culture in Madrid or simply the unfortunate presence of rude adolescents and their family who occupied the entire row in front of me, the disruptions were noticeable.
Pro tips: Don’t jack your kids up on sugar before a 3-hour evening during which they should be sitting most of the time, and teach them – by example – how impolite it is to lean forward in your seats as this blocks the line of sight of those behind you.
This was particularly frustrating given the caliber of the performance happening on stage.
Wicked in Madrid
The musical Wicked in Madrid (produced in Spanish) opens on October 3, 2025 at the Nuevo Teatro Alcalá for an initial run through February 1, 2026!
Read moreDetailsSeeing Wicked el Musical? Book a hotel near Nuevo Teatro Alcalá in Madrid.
Final Thoughts
Wicked el Musical in Madrid (October 10, 2025)
Wicked el Musical is a must-see for musical theater lovers, whether you’re a longtime fan of the show or experiencing it for the first time. The production at Nuevo Teatro Alcalá stands proudly alongside its international counterparts and showcases the extraordinary talent of Spain’s theater community. Hopefully, the show will stay around for years to come.
Factors I've Taken Into Consideration for this Review
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Singing
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Dialogue
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Acting
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Dancing
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Production (Set, Costume & Lighting Design)