‘Wicked’ Is Defying Gravity Once More: Broadway Cast Album Soars to Billboard 200 Top 40
Nearly 21 years after its release, the original Broadway cast recording of Wicked has soared to new heights, reaching the Top 40 of the Billboard 200 albums chart for the first time. The album leapt from No. 79 to No. 33 on the December 7, 2024, chart, fueled by renewed excitement generated by the recently released film adaptation of the beloved stage show. This milestone places Wicked among a rare group of musical cast recordings to break into the Billboard 200’s Top 40 in the past 25 years, alongside Hamilton: An American Musical, Dear Evan Hansen, and The Book of Mormon.
The original cast recording, featuring Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda and Idina Menzel as Elphaba, has captivated audiences since its debut in December 2003. The Broadway production, which premiered just two months earlier, quickly became a cultural phenomenon, earning critical acclaim and commercial success with its unforgettable songs, intricate storytelling, and visually stunning staging. With over 8,100 performances to date, Wicked is the fourth-longest running show in Broadway history, and its music continues to resonate with audiences of all generations.
The recent surge in popularity is largely attributed to the success of the Wicked film adaptation, which opened in theaters on November 22, 2024. Starring Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the movie has already grossed over $260 million in the U.S. and Canada. Its soundtrack debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, marking the highest debut for a big-screen adaptation of a stage musical. In the same tracking week, the Broadway cast album earned 22,000 equivalent album units, a 60% increase from the prior week, demonstrating the symbiotic relationship between the stage and screen versions of this iconic story.
The original Broadway cast recording’s enduring appeal extends beyond the Billboard 200. It has spent an extraordinary 350 nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Cast Albums chart, second only to Hamilton’s record-setting 411 weeks. For the first time, the album also debuted on Billboard’s Top Streaming Albums chart, reflecting its growing reach in the digital age. This ability to captivate both long-time fans and new listeners highlights Wicked’s timeless charm.
Since its inception, Wicked has transcended the boundaries of traditional musical theater to become a cultural touchstone. Its themes of friendship, identity, and courage have resonated deeply with audiences, while songs like “Defying Gravity” and “For Good” have become anthems of empowerment and self-discovery. The current buzz around the musical underscores its extraordinary legacy, proving that its magic endures, whether on stage, on screen, or in the hearts of its devoted fans.
As Wicked continues to defy gravity, its story and music remain as compelling as ever, a testament to the enduring power of great theater and its ability to connect with audiences across generations. Whether through the original Broadway cast recording, the spectacular new film, or the live stage production, Wicked invites us all to rediscover the wonder of Oz and the friendships that can change us “for good.”
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