Joe Mantello Talks WICKED 10th Anniversary In New Behind The Emerald Curtain Featurette

Tony Award-winning director Joe Mantello discusses his vision for bringing WICKED to the stage and how the WIZARD OF OZ-inspired musical mega-hit by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman developed in workshops, rehearsals and previews as well as much more as part of a new interview in honor of WICKED's tenth anniversary on Broadway.

"One of the jobs of a director is to ask questions. One of the jobs of the director is to stand in for the audience until they get there," Mantello instructively asserts in the new chat as to how he sees his instrumental part in the musical machine.

"I try to erase what I learned that day so I show up the next day with fresh eyes," Mantello says of his rehearsal process.

"Is it clear? Is it resonating? Does it make sense?" All of these questions and more are posited in the director's mind's eye according to Mantello.

Additionally, composer Stephen Schwartz, book-writer Winnie Holzman and more add insight into the vast amount that Mantello provided to the process of making WICKED the enduring global phenomenon that it unquestionably is.

Mantello sums up his philosophy, saying, "The way I feel about rehearsals is that the best idea wins."

As for the success of the show, Mantello shares, "It's touched a chord with people all around the world."

Addressing the central character of Elphaba - originally essayed by Idina Menzel - and her place among the pantheon of modern Broadway icons, Mantello concludes, "I am proud to be one of her caretakers and I love that she's out in the world - giving people strength and confidence and an ability to believe in themselves. I think that's an extraordinary thing to put out into the world and that it does have a profound effect on people's lives."

View the new WICKED: Behind The Emerald Curtain featurette with Joe Mantello below.