Wicked makes Hungarian debut before sold-out audience in Szeged
Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman’s Wicked opened in Szeged on Aug. 14 to a sold-out audience, marking the musical’s first staging for Hungarian audiences.
The production, directed by Vajk Szente, is presented at the Szeged Open-Air Festival by the Erkel Theater. It features set and visual design by Kentaur, lighting design by János “Madár” Madarász, choreography by Lajos Péter Túri, and musical direction by Kati Károly, with Krisztián Balassa conducting.
The production is also being presented as the open-air world premiere of Wicked. Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman visited Szeged, known as the City of Sunshine, in the lead-up to the premiere.
Stéphanie Schlesser, Angelika Tóth, Balázs Koltai-Nagy, Dorottya Udvaros, Pál Feke, Gábor Hevér, András Csonka, Virág Pásztor, Péter Puskás-Dallos and Attila Fejszés appear in the leading roles.
The production also features the Erkel Theater’s guest orchestra and dance company, members of the musical ensemble and extras from the Szeged Open-Air Festival, along with the festival’s technical and backstage crews.
Following the Aug. 14 premiere, Wicked will return to Dóm Square for three additional performances on Aug. 20, 21 and 22.
The Szeged Open-Air Festival has also released a behind-the-scenes video from the premiere, featuring footage of the production’s stage effects and scenes from the performance. The video is available through the festival’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Cover photo by Szegedi Szabadtéri Játékok - Tari Róbert
