Wicked was a hit with audiences and achieved award recognition, although not all critics agreed.

In 2004 it was nominated for 10 Tony Awards, 11 Drama Desk Awards and 10 Outer Critics Circle Awards. It also won the 2005 Grammy award for Best Musical Show Album. These accolades have been repeated around the world when the show has opened in other countries.

Schwartz was inaugurated into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 2010.

Defying Gravity has featured in many television programmes, including Glee, and many singers have covered the song.

Elphaba was originally played by Idina Menzel, who went on to voice Elsa in the Disney film Frozen. The song Let it Go, from Frozen, is similar to Defying Gravity as the female lead character gains strength, there are many key changes, and a heroic chorus is sung at the top of Idina Menzel’s chest voice.