Wicked: The Musical has extended its run in Riyadh at the King Fahad Cultural Center through early January, marking its first staging in the Middle East and expanding access in Saudi Arabia.

The production offers Tuesday Theme Nights, giving audiences opportunities to meet the cast and take selfies with them.

Liz Koops, CEO of Broadway Entertainment Group, underscores ongoing collaboration with the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and notes that Riyadh has hosted landmark productions before, such as Phantom of the Opera and Slava’s Snowshow.

Auditions in London’s West End filled the lead roles of Elphaba and Glinda, drawing about 500 hopefuls as this is Wicked’s first staging in the Middle East.

The Riyadh run features a cast and crew of more than 100, with performances including Defying Gravity, Popular, and For Good.

Composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz expresses delight at Wicked’s Riyadh debut, praising its vitality, creativity, and themes of friendship, courage, and staying true to oneself.

Wicked has a global footprint with over 65 million theatergoers since its 2003 debut, spanning more than 130 cities in 25 countries.

The extension aligns with the Royal Commission for Riyadh City’s collaboration with Broadway Entertainment Group and Saudi Vision 2030’s Quality of Life program.

RCRC official Khalid Alhazani highlights Wicked as a marker of world-class entertainment options now available in Riyadh.