A scene from Wicked the Musical at Dubai Opera on January 28, 2026.

Let me start with the headline-worthy fact: Wicked the Musical is now showing at Dubai Opera until February 15, and this production is iconic because it marks the very first time the global musical phenomenon has been staged anywhere in the Middle East. I’ve been obsessed with Wicked ever since Idina Menzel released Defying Gravity as a single in 2007. It has been my anthem ever since. The kind of song you play when life is messy and you need to remind yourself to rise anyway. Over the years, I’ve watched every grainy Broadway clip on YouTube, promising myself that one day I’d travel just to see it live. Turns out, I didn’t need a plane ticket. Wicked came to us. So when Broadway Entertainment Group reached out with an invitation to both the media preview and opening night at Dubai Opera, the answer was an immediate yes. No hesitation, no pretending to check my schedule. Expat Media attended the media preview on January 28 and also secured exclusive interviews with key cast members. Watch this space, those exclusives are coming. Now, the show. Opening night was, quite simply, breathtaking. And yes, we’ll politely forgive the brief technical hiccup right at the beginning. Once the curtain truly lifted, everything else clicked into place like magic. The sets, props, and costumes are spectacular. Some are shiny, shimmering, splendid, and downright iridescent. The LED backdrops add an almost surreal dimension, making Oz feel alive and constantly shifting. And the performances? Top notch. Easily a thousand times more powerful than anything you can watch online. My inner child was absolutely losing her mind. This Dubai production also introduces new elements never seen in any other Wicked staging worldwide, including a jaw-dropping moment where a witch literally flies over the Dubai Opera audience. I won’t spoil it, but let’s just say: that is a true Defying Gravity moment in every sense. Rebekah Lowings, as Elphaba, is phenomenal. Her vocals are powerful, controlled, and emotionally charged. The kind that make your chest tighten during the big numbers. Opposite her, Eve Shanu-Wilson’s Glinda brings charm, beautiful vocals as well as perfectly timed comedic beats, balancing lightness with depth. Together, they carry the heart of the show beautifully. The supporting cast shines just as brightly. Michael David Mather, an OffWestEnd Award winner, brings swagger and warmth to Fiyero. Penelope Jane Woodman commands the stage as Madame Morrible with delicious authority, while Graham Douglas Macduff delivers a Wizard who is both charismatic and quietly unsettling; and watch out for his cheeky “habibti” line with Elphaba, complete with a subtle Western twang that drew knowing laughs from the Dubai audience. It’s no wonder the cast earned a well-deserved standing ovation at the end of their Dubai debut. For context, Wicked first opened on Broadway in late 2003, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, telling the untold backstory of the witches of Oz long before Dorothy’s arrival. The musical quickly became a word-of-mouth sensation and Wicked went on to become one of the most successful musicals of all time. Globally, Wicked has captivated more than 65 million people across more than 130 cities in 16 countries, with over 350 costumes, massive ensemble numbers, and show-stopping songs like Popular, For Good, and of course, Defying Gravity. That this global phenomenon is now playing at Dubai Opera from January 28 to February 15, feels — and I don’t use this word lightly — wicked. Schwartz himself summed it up best: “It’s very meaningful to me to be in Dubai as Wicked makes history debuting in the Middle East for the first time. I hope it brings audiences here the same joy and sense of connection it’s brought to others all around the world for the past two decades.” Liz Koops, CEO of Broadway Entertainment Group, called the production a milestone, noting that the company is celebrating 15 years of bringing world-class productions to Dubai; and there really is no better way to mark that anniversary. Meanwhile, Paolo Petrocelli, Head of Dubai Opera, described the show as a defining moment for the city’s cultural scene, reinforcing Dubai’s place as a true international hub for the performing arts. And honestly? He’s right. Wicked isn’t just another musical. It’s a story about friendship, identity, power, and choosing who you become, told with humour, heart, and an unapologetic sense of spectacle. If you’ve ever belted out Defying Gravity alone in your room — or even if you haven’t — this is one show you shouldn’t miss. Tickets are available at dubaiopera.com. Trust me: Go watch it. PIA/Expat Media 
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