Something wicked this way comes: NBC is airing a Halloween concert special timed to the 15th anniversary of hit Broadway musical “Wicked.” The show’s original Elphaba and Glinda, Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, will host the broadcast-TV special.
“A Very Wicked Halloween: Celebrating 15 Years on Broadway” will air on Monday, Oct. 29 at 10 p.m. ET/PT and feature songs from the stage-blockbuster’s soundtrack. The format is not to be confused with NBC’s annual live-musical TV presentations or the recent Emmy winner “Jesus Christ Superstar,” in which the performers also acted out the play.
“This televised concert featuring songs from the blockbuster musical hit ‘Wicked’ will showcase a cavalcade of special guest stars to help celebrate the music and the magic of the show that tells the story of what happened in Oz before Dorothy dropped in,” per NBC.
That “cavalcade” (good word, NBC publicists!) includes Ariana Grande, Pentatonix and the current Broadway company of “Wicked,” among others still to be announced.
“‘Wicked’ is a blockbuster musical playing all over the world and still selling out night after night after 15 years on Broadway, and we’re thrilled to be partnering with Emmy and Tony-winning producer Marc Platt and the entire ‘Wicked’ team to celebrate the enduring success of this show,” said Doug Vaughan, executive vice president, Special Programs and Late Night, NBC Entertainment. “We’re especially excited to have Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth reunited along with big guest stars in front of an audience – in costume hopefully – to help us celebrate the Halloween season.”
The show will tape at New York’s Marquis Theater and be produced by the original “Wicked” team, including Marc Platt. Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner of White Cherry Entertainment will also produce. Weiss is director.
Again, “A Very Wicked Halloween: Celebrating 15 Years on Broadway” will air on Monday, Oct. 29 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.