WICKED NUEVO TEATRO ALCALÁ MADRID

A Production with Over 100 International Awards

“Wicked” premiered in Spain at the Nuevo Teatro Alcalá in Madrid. The musical, based on the untold story of the witches of Oz, is one of the major phenomena of contemporary theatre, with over 100 international awards and more than 20 years of success on both Broadway and the West End— the world’s two main theatrical hubs. The show explores themes such as identity, acceptance, and the fight for justice, offering an experience that inspires laughter, emotion, and reflection on what it truly means to be “good” or “evil.”

Simultaneously, the 2024 film adaptation of “Wicked,” directed by Jon M. Chu, reignited global interest in the story, sparking a new wave of popularity around the musical. Its media impact and reception by mainstream audiences have expanded the show’s reach beyond the theatre scene—an opportunity the Nuevo Teatro Alcalá has seized to amplify the visibility of this production and solidify its return to Spanish stages.

The Spanish version is directed by David Serrano, who also adapted the script into Spanish and worked directly with the original composer and author, Stephen Schwartz, to preserve the narrative power and essence of the piece. The production is led by SOM Produce, one of Spain’s foremost musical theatre companies, known for titles such as Billy Elliot, Matilda, Grease, West Side Story, Chicago, and Mamma Mia!. Its premiere reinforces Madrid’s position as a leading destination for major musical productions, a status the city has steadily built over recent years.

The Nuevo Teatro Alcalá is a historic venue that first opened its doors in 1927 and was fully renovated in 2001. With a capacity of 1,200 seats, it hosts major theatrical and musical productions and has become a benchmark venue in the Spanish capital. Its size and infrastructure make it the ideal setting for a long-running and technically demanding production like “Wicked.”

A Production of Great Vocal, Musical, and Technical Complexity

Staging “Wicked” at the Nuevo Teatro Alcalá presented a significant sonic challenge due to the scale of the musical and the number of artists involved. The cast is led by Cristina Picos and Cristina Llorente as Elphaba and Glinda, respectively, alongside over 30 performers and live musicians. The combination of solo vocals, dynamic choral scenes, and live orchestra requires precise control of every audio source to maintain text clarity and the musicality that defines the show.

The score alternates between intimate moments and highly intense passages, along with fast scene transitions and sound effects that are essential to the storytelling. Iconic songs such as “Defying Gravity” — adapted into Spanish as “Volar más alto” — require the lead voice to remain clear and present above the musical ensemble and striking visual elements, including lighting, moving parts, and impactful stage effects.

The Madrid production also features a large-scale set design with moving elements and pieces created specifically for this version, such as the emblematic head of the Wizard of Oz. This integration of visual and musical components demands particularly careful sound treatment to ensure that all elements coexist harmoniously. Additionally, consistent coverage across the venue’s 1,200 seats is crucial to delivering a clear, balanced auditory experience that matches the artistic scale of the production.

ARA Series Deployment for Full Coverage

To meet the musical’s demands, a main SARA system was installed, consisting of 10 units per side. Each array includes eight SARA-80 and two SARA-100 units, ensuring uniform coverage across the stalls and solid vocal projection even during the most intense musical moments. Low-frequency reinforcement was achieved with eight SARA-SUB units positioned at the front of the stage.

The main system was complemented by a wide deployment of additional reinforcements distributed throughout various areas of the theatre. A total of 28 ARA-P28.115 units were installed in intermediate and elevated positions to support choral scenes, ensure sound continuity in balconies and galleries, and cover architectural areas requiring extra support. Some of these units were assigned to specific roles such as nearfills, outfills, and delay points, helping maintain consistent perception across all seats. Additionally, six units were integrated in a surround configuration, creating a sense of spatial immersion that envelops the audience and enhances the musical experience. Three ARA-P28.115 units were placed along the theatre’s central axis as centerfills, essential for reinforcing vocal presence when performers act at center stage.

To complete coverage of the front rows, four ARTEC-506 units were installed as front fills, ensuring the closest audience members received a balanced and defined mix without relying solely on the main system. The result is a system seamlessly integrated into the theatre’s architecture, capable of delivering a clear and stable sound experience across all 1,200 seats, preserving the natural quality of the vocals and the musical energy that defines “Wicked.”

“The system responds precisely even in the most intense moments”

The final design allows voices, music, and staging to coexist seamlessly, respecting the musical’s dynamic nature and the theatre’s architecture. According to Gastón Briski, the production’s sound engineer, “vocal clarity was essential in a show so narrative-driven, and the system responds precisely even in the most intense moments”. As Guillermo Cuenca, Technical Director at SOM Produce, pointed out “in every performance, we wanted the audience to feel they were at the heart of the show, and the system truly delivered”.

The result is a cohesive experience that sustains the production’s emotional impact from beginning to end.