From Oz to Riyadh: "Wicked" Arrives in Saudi Arabia

posted on: Dec 10, 2025

By: Emma Campbell / Arab America Contributing Writer

With the second Wicked film hitting U.S. theatres this year, the musical’s American success story returns to the spotlight. As momentum grows, the franchise now reaches far beyond Broadway and Hollywood. In this article, Arab America contributing writer Emma Campbell explores how Wicked’s first Middle East production in Riyadh marks a significant cultural moment for Saudi Arabia.

What is Wicked?

Wicked is arguably one of the most popular musicals of all time. It has reached an audience of over 65 million across 130 cities and 25 countries. The play draws inspiration from early 1900s stories by Frank Baum, the 1939 classic film The Wizard of Oz, and the 1995 novel Wicked by Gregory Maguire. It depicts the origins of the “Wicked Witch of the West” and “Glinda the Good.” According to Wicked’s Broadway page, the play is currently the 4th longest-running show in Broadway history. It has been running for 21 years.

An Expanding Audience

Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) launched its Wicked run on December 3, 2025. The production is a collaboration with the Middle East–based Broadway Entertainment Group (BEG). This marks the musical’s first Middle East appearance. The King Fahad Cultural Center will host the performances. The RCRC will present over 100 performers, crew members, and orchestra musicians, along with 350 costumes and large-scale sets. This debut also kicks off the regional and GCC tour. It promises to become one of the highlights of this year’s RCRC events.

Organizers and Vision: The RCRC and Vision 2030

Behind the play’s production, the RCRC drives a strategic partnership. This partnership reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing investment in global cultural programming and entertainment. The RCRC leads the initiative. It positions Wicked as part of the broader push to elevate Riyadh’s cultural landscape through internationally recognized events. Khalid Alhazani, Vice President of Riyadh Life Sector at RCRC, described the premiere as “a testament to RCRC’s commitment to providing world-class entertainment options for everyone, in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 Quality of Life program.”

Broadway Entertainment Group: Bringing Global Musicals to the Middle East

The Middle East-based theatre company Broadway Entertainment Group (BEG) collaborated on this project. They brought their own long-standing regional expertise to the 5-year long production process. Liz Koops, CEO of Broadway Entertainment Group, emphasized that Wicked builds on the company’s history of bringing major global titles to the region. In the past, their runs of world-renowned works like The Phantom of the Opera and Slava’s Snowshow set a new standard for what large-scale musical theatre can look like in Saudi Arabia. 

Positioning Wicked Within Saudi Arabia’s Entertainment Goals

Together, the RCRC and BEG’s efforts align with Saudi Arabia’s broader cultural strategy. This national vision seeks to diversify entertainment offerings and expand arts infrastructure. Although the Wicked announcements do not detail Vision 2030, the organizations’ statements clearly place the musical at the center of the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to develop the entertainment sector and promote diverse cultural offerings.

Audience Reaction and Run Extension

Originally, the show’s run date was December 3 to December 20, 2025. However, due to overwhelming demand and rapidly selling tickets, the RCRC extended the play’s run until January 3, 2026. This extension indicates not only how popular the show is around the world, but also high local interest. Additionally, it also demonstrates a potential growing appetite for live theatre and cultural events around Riyadh and Saudi Arabia.

Western Influence in Saudi Arabia’s Performing Arts

The staging of Wicked in Riyadh highlights the growing impact of Western arts on Saudi Arabia’s cultural scene. As a globally acclaimed Broadway musical, Wicked brings Western storytelling, production values, and theatrical conventions to a region that is only recently expanding its exposure to large-scale international entertainment. The play presents its themes of friendship, identity, ambition, and rivalry through a distinctly Western lens. This reflects a broader shift toward integrating global culture forms alongside local traditions. Stephen Schwartz, the composer and lyricist of Wicked, expressed excitement about the performances in Riyadh. He stated, “I’m delighted that Wicked is coming to Riyadh, where it hasn’t been seen before. This new production brings its own vitality and creativity, while continuing to tell our story of friendship, love, and having the courage to be true to yourself and stand up for what you believe in.”

Cultural Exchange and the Future of Saudi Arabian Theatre

As Wicked is a story that resonates universally, it has the capacity to bridge cultural boundaries while introducing audiences to Western theatrical artistry. By introducing Western musicals into new regions and environments, audiences encounter narratives, performance styles, and stagecraft that differs from their traditional entertainment. In Saudi Arabia, this offers a new lens on Wicked’s thematic elements, potentially influencing local opinions and creative expectation for artistic mediums and entertainment. The production of Wicked in Saudi Arabia also signals increasing openness to cultural exchange. It serves as an early example of how Western arts can reshape public entertainment and engagement with storytelling in Saudi Arabia. Looking ahead, such productions may pave the way for more international musicals, foster a theatre-going culture, and strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position as a regional hub for global performing arts and entertainment.

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