Published on: October 15, 2023

In December 2017, senior students of JBCN International School, Parel, brought the highly successful Broadway musical, WICKED, to the Y B Chavan Centre in Mumbai. For nearly two hours, parents and well-wishers were treated to a stunning multi-media extravaganza, adapted from L. Frank Baum's classic The The Wonderful Wizard of Oz However, this version offered a unique twist, focusing on the "untold" story of the witches of Oz, with Dorothy relegated to a background role.

A Theatrical Spectacle

Under the skilled direction of Vishal Asrani and JijiSubi, renowned for children's musical theatre in Mumbai, the stage at the Y B Chavan Centre came alive with sound, light effects, original music, stunning visual effects, including levitation scenes, and impressive performances from students of grades seven to ten, none of whom had formal training in dance or drama.

The success of the event was due to months of meticulous planning, intensive rehearsals, and the expertise of the producer/directors.

An EduCreative Experience

As Mr. Kunal Dalal, Managing Director of JBCN, mentioned in his introductory remarks, the production aligns with the school's vision of providing enriching creative experiences that support both personal and social development. Along with academic excellence, these experiences promote holistic Mind, Body, and Soul development and balanced education through music and theatre.

Choosing WICKED: More Than Just Entertainment

JijiSubi explained the reasoning behind selecting WICKED for the annual drama presentation. The musical was chosen not only for its entertainment value but also for the positive themes it presented to the students, such as personal integrity, tolerance, acceptance, free speech, animal rights, and the stand against racial and other forms of discrimination.

It’s no surprise that in 2017, WICKED was voted by educators as the 'Best Theatre Production for Schools' for the second consecutive year in London.

Learning Beyond the Stage

The production also gave students the opportunity to develop vocal recording skills, as all dialogue was pre-recorded in the actors' voices. This added another dimension to their learning beyond just performing on stage. One student reflected on the experience: “This experience allowed me to connect with my peers like I never had and motivated me to push my limits and do my best. It was definitely the highlight of this academic year!” – A JBCN Learner

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