Wicked: The Grimmerie
Challenge
When the musical Wicked arrived on Broadway in 2003, it became an immediate sensation. Noticing all the buzz it was receiving, Melcher Media approached the show’s producers to collaborate on a comprehensive behind-the-scenes book for a production that would soon become one of the longest-running and most beloved musicals on Broadway.
Solution
We created Wicked: The Grimmerie, a book that documents the magic behind the production, from the story, music, and lyrics, to the casting, set design, costuming, and more. The keepsake tome is intended to look like the ancient spell book belonging to the show’s main character, Elphaba. To capture the whimsical yet dark tone of the play, our design team juxtaposed fanciful Ozian illustrations with intricate design elements and painstakingly aged each page of the book.
The Road to Oz
Wicked: The Grimmerie takes readers behind the curtain to witness how Wicked’s team developed a hit musical. Theater critic David Cote conducted interviews with the show’s key figures—such as novelist Gregory Maguire, composer Stephen Schwartz, book writer Winnie Holzman, director Joe Mantello, and stars including Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, among others—who provide insights into the creative process from beginning to end. On top of that, the book contains behind-the-scenes photos, reproductions of the original sheet music, set sketches, costume concepts, and the musical’s full libretto.
Defying Gravity
A guide to all things Wicked, The Grimmerie is a must-have for the musical’s devoted fans. It became an instant New York Times bestseller upon release and has continued to enchant audiences throughout the show’s decades-long run.
