Bricks to Broadway: Building LEGO with the Cast of Wicked
There’s something magical about walking down Fifth Avenue in New York City with a couple of new LEGO sets tucked under your arm. As I made my way from Grand Central through Bryant Park and Times Square to the flagship LEGO Store taking photos of the sets for a bit of a travelogue, I was dumbfounded that curious New Yorkers and tourists alike stopped me to ask, “What are those!?”
When I told them they were the brand-new Wicked LEGO sets, I was met with wide eyes and a declaration that “I will certainly have to buy those!” The excitement was palpable—after all, it’s not every day you see a Broadway show immortalized in LEGO form. It felt like I was carrying a piece of Oz somewhere over the rainbow through the (not-quite-yellow brick) streets of Manhattan.
This short day in the “Emerald City” was made possible by both LEGO for providing the sets and a friend of mine, Ben Cameron, who was in the original cast of Wicked on Broadway. With the film version taking the world by storm, I reached out and asked if he knew anyone involved with the show who also loved LEGO. He sent me a few names, and the musical journey was on.
Natalia Vivino: Building Elphaba with Elphaba
My first stop was the flagship LEGO Store on Fifth Avenue, where I met Natalia Vivino, the standby for Elphaba on the second national tour. The store was buzzing with families, tourists, and avid builders exploring the LEGO wonderland around them. The amazing employees had set up a table for us to build on and changed the lighting in the store to pink and green to celebrate the occasion. After a brief introduction, Natalia and I began unboxing the new Wicked sets.
“My history with Wicked started when I was twelve years old,” Natalia shared as we started building 75682 Elphaba & Glinda Figures. “Some of my friends at school were fans of the show, and I started listening to the cast recording for fun. Before I knew it, I’d become a fan too. Not long after that, my sister Donna was cast in the first national tour, playing Elphaba full-time. For my thirteenth birthday, my family and I got to see her perform in San Diego. It was my first time ever seeing Wicked, and on top of that, my sister was in it! Getting to see her perform in what had quickly become my favorite show was really special. I was totally inspired.”
View fullsize
View fullsize
Seeing her sister on stage planted a seed that would shape her own career. “Ten years later, I was cast as the Elphaba standby in the second national tour. We’re the only siblings in the show’s history to have both performed as Elphaba, which is wild to think about. I was just three months out of college, trying to figure out what I was going to do next. Getting that call was a complete surprise, and it was a real turning point. I decided to fully pursue a career on stage, and I haven’t looked back since.”
View fullsize
View fullsize
View fullsize
View fullsize
View fullsize
Photos via Natalia Vivino
As we continued to build, Natalia talked about the connection she shared with Elphaba and her sister. “There’s a fun story I remember from my costume fitting from the tour. The wardrobe department had managed to find the same Elphaba glasses my sister wore during Act I. It was still in the case with her name on it. I got to use those glasses every time I went on stage. I’d seen her wearing them on stage back when I was thirteen and had no idea I’d also wear them someday as well. Pretty wild!”
Since we only had a short amount of time, I was building Glinda while Natalia built the Elphaba figure. I commented on how Glinda’s figure seemed a little over the top with her puffy dress—which felt fitting based on the character from Wicked. Natalia was building the Elphaba figure and commented on how accurate the printing and stickers were to the real-life costumes. “I’m very excited for the movie! Just from watching the trailers alone, it’s clear how much time and work was put into building the world of Oz and all of the characters within it. I’ll probably be emotional watching it, if I’m being totally honest. I know I’m not the only one of my former castmates who feels that way!”
View fullsize
View fullsize
View fullsize
Our conversation meandered around the movie version, what it is like being hoisted up while singing simultaneously, her experiences on the road with the show, and what it was like to be part of such a beloved production. “Being on tour is like living in a little bubble. The cast becomes your family. You celebrate birthdays together, you go through tough times together. I’m sure it is similar to the LEGO community. And Wicked fans are incredible—they’re so passionate. I’ve had people come up to me in every city, sharing how much the show means to them. It’s humbling.”
As she carefully assembled Elphaba’s signature black hat, I asked Natalia about her earliest LEGO memories. “I’ve been into LEGO since I was five or six. My mom used to get the original Harry Potter LEGO sets for my sister and me, and she’d help us assemble them at home. I always liked miniatures and toys that involved building, like Lincoln Logs. I started building the sets myself and eventually got into larger and more complex builds. I still have all our old Harry Potter sets from when we were kids.”
Now, here she was, holding a LEGO version of herself. I smiled as she picked up the completed figure, posed the hands to hold the broom, and began swooshing it around while humming the song ‘Defying Gravity.’ “This Wicked LEGO set is adorable! It reminded me of moments from the show, like the scene between Elphaba and Glinda right before ‘Popular’ or when they venture off to the Emerald City. The added touches, like Elphie’s green bottle and Glinda’s magic wand, are fantastic. Overall, I think this set is beautifully designed and hit me right in the feels.”
View fullsize
View fullsize
View fullsize
As we wrapped up, I couldn’t help but notice Natalia’s love for the show and her LEGO hobby came together in the store that day. “Getting to build one of the Wicked sets inside the LEGO flagship store in New York made the nerd in me very happy! The green and pink lights were a cool touch, and the employees were so welcoming. It’s definitely an experience I won’t forget.”
She chatted with a few fans and curious onlookers, and then we snapped some photos on the store’s Broadway-themed staircase before parting ways. Carefully holding the built set, she stepped into the throngs of people on the sidewalk in Manhattan and was off to another audition.
Stardust: Dancing (and Singing) Through Life
After wrapping up our build session, I had a little time before my next interview near the Gershwin Theater where Wicked has played for more than 20 years. I decided to take a break and grab lunch just a few blocks away at the iconic Ellen’s Stardust Diner (not quite the Ozdust Ballroom but close enough!). Known for its singing waitstaff, the diner was buzzing with energy. As I settled into my booth, surrounded by servers belting out Broadway classics while delivering burgers and fries, my waiter noticed I was taking a few pictures of the LEGO sets.
“Oh my God, are those the new Wicked sets?” she exclaimed. I nodded in the affirmative, and she couldn’t help but ask to pick them up and look at them, devouring all the details. It turns out she, too, was a LEGO fan and an aspiring actress. We chatted briefly, and she described her LEGO collection in detail, along with her dream of singing on stage until she skipped off with my lunch order.
A short moment after, the diner’s disco ball started turning and my server launched into a lively rendition of ‘Popular,’ much to the delight of the diners around us. It was the perfect interlude, blending the theatrical flair of Broadway with the playful nature of LEGO. The atmosphere was infectious. It felt like a scene straight out of a musical—a spontaneous, joyful celebration of the magic that both Broadway and LEGO bring to life every day. And there may have been a burst of confetti too.
After watching a few songs while eating my burger, I packed the sets, tipped and wished my server all the best in her career, and returned to the city streets. I was off to see the Wizard!
Brad Oscar: The Wizard and I
Recharged and ready, I made my way to the CitizenM Times Square hotel for my next interview. There, on the rooftop terrace overlooking the Gershwin Theatre, I met with Brad Oscar who currently plays The Wizard on Broadway and has had a long career on the stage. It was a sunny afternoon and the view was breathtaking, with the theater’s iconic marquee below us and the city skyline stretching far beyond. It felt like the ideal spot to chat about both the worlds of Wicked and LEGO.
Settling in at a table, we got acquainted and began building 75684 Welcome to Emerald City. It was a delight watching the actual Wizard build with so many green bricks. Brad was similarly fascinated with the paper bags in the set which he hadn’t seen in person yet. “I joined the Broadway company in March, and it’s amazing to be part of a show that’s so beloved and still popular after 20 years,” Brad said while smiling and constructing a miniature version of the Emerald City on a tiny desk inside the model.
Brad’s excitement was infectious. He told me how his reintroduction to LEGO came through a castmate. “Other than occasionally playing with them as a kid, I was reintroduced to LEGO by my friend Jake Ryan Flynn when we were doing Mrs. Doubtfire together. Jake had this massive collection—I had no idea the size and scope of some of the current sets!” It was clear that Brad was hooked and has been building ever since, with 10273 Haunted House being one of his favorites. “I love the spooky vibe and the attention to detail. I wish I had the original roller coaster set, but it’s so pricey on the secondary market now.” As we chatted, it was clear that the appeal of LEGO had captured Brad’s imagination just as much as Broadway had.
View fullsize
View fullsize
Photos via Brad Oscar
“I just love the fact that they made a freaking Jaws set. I think that’s hilarious.” We talked about how collecting and building LEGO can be a never-ending hobby. “With LEGO, I’m sure it’s an addiction but fun in a way. I bought and built the Notre Dame set too, and it looks beautiful. Thankfully, my husband tolerates it (and at times embraces it) since he’s the one who has to live with me buying all this stuff!”
As we built (and while I marveled at the 1x4 arches in green released in an official set for the first time), he shared more about what it’s like playing the Wizard in Wicked. “I have one of the most unique tracks in the show. I’m on stage for only a few scenes, but they’re pivotal ones. The rest of the time, I’m upstairs in my dressing room. I actually have a lot of downtime—I watch baseball, read, catch up on emails, maybe even build some LEGO. It’s a different experience from what you’d expect.” His candor was refreshing. “I love it, though. It’s this bizarre balance of being very present when I’m on stage and then having all this time to myself off stage.”
Brad with his minifigure of the Wizard, followed by envy of Jeff Goldblum’s hair, and then a better representation of himself!
Brad’s connection to the character is personal—I saw the joy on his face as he built the Wizard’s minidoll (both with and without hair). “The Wizard is such a complex figure—part showman, part con man, but he’s not entirely malicious. There’s a vulnerability to him, a desire to be more than what he is. It’s fascinating to explore that, to bring out his humanity.” I asked about him taking over the role more than 20 years into the production. “There’s a responsibility when you step into a role that’s been done by so many others, but it’s not about putting your personal stamp on it. It’s about making sure the character is portrayed the way it’s meant to be and then finding ways to make it yours within those boundaries.”
View fullsize
View fullsize
Building the Wizard’s faux mechanical face, Brad shared how his journey with the show has been a transformative experience. “Being part of the Wicked family is wonderful. There’s something special about joining a show that’s been running for so long. You become part of this living, breathing entity. It’s a bit like the LEGO community—everyone’s passionate, dedicated, and excited to share what they love. It’s amazing to be part of something bigger than us all. I mean, with Wicked, it’s not just a show—it’s an institution. The way they’ve kept the show in shape, the energy of the cast, it’s something that’s really stood the test of time.”
Assembling the Emeralds City’s central spire, he carefully topped off the build and looked down at the completed Wicked LEGO set with glee. “I love that this Wicked LEGO set exists. It’s such a fun way to engage with the show in a different way. Plus, it’s a great way to spend time, especially when you have hours between your scenes like I do!” Contemplating the look of the set, Brad made an insightful comment. “It’s pretty exciting that, for the first time I can remember, a Broadway show is represented in the LEGO world!”
Ioana Alfonso: Family and Fond Memories
Also joining us in building sets on the rooftop was Ioana Alfonso, a member of the original company of Wicked. She shared her deep-rooted connection to both Wicked and LEGO. “Wicked was my Broadway debut. I was in the original cast which allowed me to be truly collaborative, making it extra special. The cool thing about originating a show is that everyone who comes after you will be doing what you created in collaboration with the creative team, so it has your signature forever on it. I was the last original company member to leave. It’s been a huge part of my life. I got engaged, married, and had a baby while working on the show. The people I met there are like family.”
View fullsize
View fullsize
View fullsize
View fullsize
View fullsize
View fullsize
Photos via Ioana Alfonso
As we built 75683 Glinda & Elphaba’s Dormitory together, Ioana talked about how LEGO has become a family tradition. “I always loved LEGO as a child, but as I got older I seemed to have forgotten about it until I had my own child. We started with Duplo sets for my son, and now we’re building City and Star Wars sets together. It’s a way for us to bond together while making something—as a creative artist, this is something I feel is truly special.” She also talked about how LEGO is an escape. “There’s a quiet, almost meditative aspect to building LEGO. It’s a chance for us to slow down and get away from screens, especially in a city that’s always rushing. Though too much LEGO becomes a problem to accommodate it all in a small NYC apartment!”
View fullsize
View fullsize
She told me that they have become huge fans of LEGO Architecture sets. “We have the NYC skyline, and now we’re looking at the Statue of Liberty and Paris. Together my son and I can explore the world through LEGO, building and learning at the same time. I still want to get the World Map to hang on the wall.”
When I asked her about the new Wicked sets, Ioana’s face lit up. “I was surprised at the level of detail and the attention paid to some aesthetic choices that elevated the look of the final model. It reminded me a bit of the Broadway show but is more based on the movie bits I’ve seen—perhaps because the Broadway production is a place I inhabited for so long that I know it intimately like the back of my hand. Building the set made me nostalgic for my time in the original cast and reminded me of the beautiful legacy I’ve had the privilege to be a part of. It even has a green elixir!”
View fullsize
View fullsize
View fullsize
As we built, it was clear that for both Brad and Ioana, Wicked was more than just a job—it was a part of their lives, deeply woven into their stories and experiences. As they both built and traded stories from their time on the show, Ioana shared a particularly magical memory. “One night, Liza Minnelli visited us to see Joel Grey as the Wizard. During a fundraising auction for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS after the show, Joel spontaneously offered to sing ‘Willkommen’ from Cabaret with Liza if two bidders matched a high donation. The audience went wild and so did the cast! The talented musicians in the pit magically made it happen, and before we knew it, we were only a few feet away from Joel and Liza performing such an iconic number. It was one of those magical Broadway moments you never forget.”
Much of the conversation that afternoon drifted from Broadway to LEGO to Wicked with ease and before I knew it, our building time was up. Ioana had to head home with her family and Brad had to get ready for that night’s performance. Each took the sets they built with them, carrying them carefully in the set boxes they came in like a precious treasure. After tidying up and taking a little break to taste the CitizenM rooftop bar’s signature “Green Elixer” cocktail in honor of the show, it was time to head to the theater.
The Man Behind the Curtain: Backstage in Oz
That evening, I had the chance to see Wicked. As I settled into my seat at the Gershwin Theatre, I could feel the anticipation in the air as the cogs that powered the clockwork-inspired set pieces began to spin. The audience buzzed with excitement as both young and old were eager to be transported to the land of Oz.
The lights dimmed, and the orchestra began to play the iconic overture. I found myself swept up in the story, watching as Brad transformed into the Wizard, his voice booming and expressive, filling the theater with warmth and humor. Brad’s insight into his unique experience with the Wizard also came to life in a new way. “It’s a bit like being an observer, a presence that looms over the story but doesn’t dominate it,” he had shared. Watching him on stage, I could see that balance—the way he captured the Wizard’s dual nature of charisma and vulnerability.
During intermission, I couldn’t help but think back to our conversation on the rooftop. It’s one thing to talk with performers about their roles, but it’s another entirely to see them inhabit those characters on stage. Brad’s portrayal of the Wizard was both commanding and endearing, a perfect blend of showmanship and sincerity. The entire cast seemed to sparkle under the stage lights, bringing the story of Wicked to life in a way that felt fresh and vibrant, even after all these years. “Live theater is such a unique thing,” Brad told me earlier. “There’s nothing quite like it. You know, everyone in the audience is experiencing the same show, but every performance is different. That’s the beauty of it. It’s an art form that’s alive in every moment.”
View fullsize
View fullsize
View fullsize
After the show, I met Brad at the stage door and was invited backstage—a rare treat for any theater lover. As I stepped behind the curtain, the bustling, organized chaos of the production unfolded before me. There were racks of props, each in a specific location to be easily accessible. A few technicians moved with the precision of a finely tuned machine, adjusting props and sets, ensuring everything was in place for the next performance. It honestly was kind of like walking through a life-sized LEGO set, where each piece and each person was essential to the final product. “I’ve been doing this a long time,” Brad told me. “But at the end of the day, no show is kept in better shape. I have friends coming to see the show who are like, ‘Wow, it does not look like it’s been running this long.’ And that’s something to be said for.”
View fullsize
View fullsize
View fullsize
Seeing how the pieces fit together, both on stage and behind the scenes, gave me a new appreciation for the artistry of Broadway. Everything was carefully choreographed and intentional, honed after thousands of performances. It reminded me of the precision and creativity needed to design and build complex LEGO sets. Both require vision, patience, and a little bit of creativity. The magic of Wicked on Broadway isn’t just in the performances—it’s in the collaboration, the countless hours of work, and the dedication of everyone involved. It’s a giant, living LEGO set where each person plays a crucial role in building something extraordinary.
Ioana’s stories of the cast’s backstage family resonated deeply as I watched the team work together. “My Wicked family is forever in my heart,” she had told me earlier. “It’s impossible to describe the bond we have and what it means to be a part of this large family. It extends beyond sharing the unique magic of performing a Broadway show eight times a week and the exchange with an audience during live theater. We celebrate, support, and lean on each other, both in and outside the theater. Like any other family playing with LEGO, there are disagreements, moments of celebration, challenging times, and so much laughter. Wicked has been a real blessing to me.”
Brad had a similar response to the joy of both LEGO and performing on Broadway. “Whether it’s building LEGO or being part of a show like Wicked, it’s about finding those things that bring you joy. It’s so important to have something that you can lose yourself in, whether it’s building a set or performing on stage. I do theater, but I also love LEGO. I’m not afraid to embrace those passions, even if they’re not what people expect. It’s all about finding balance and allowing yourself to enjoy the things that make you happy. Finding balance is important—whether it’s between work and personal passions or embracing something different that brings you joy. LEGO and theater both do that for me.”
As I left the theater that night, I felt a deep sense of gratitude. Gratitude for the chance to see behind the scenes of a Broadway phenomenon, to meet the people who make the magic happen, and to share in a little bit of that magic myself. And just like in the LEGO community, it’s those small, shared moments that build the most beautiful stories. Brad also gave the other minidolls from the Wicked sets to his fellow castmates playing those roles, showing even further that small acts can have great impact.
View fullsize
View fullsize
View fullsize
Photos of Brad Oscar as The Wizard, Jordan Litz as Fiyero and Natalie Ortega as Nessarose, holding the minidolls of their characters from the new LEGO Wicked sets. Photos via Wicked on Broadway.
Walking back to the train station, I thought about how the day had come together. Each conversation, each story shared, felt like a piece of a much larger set—a set that told the story of creativity, community, and the enduring power of building something together. Whether it was Natalia’s story of watching her sister perform as Elphaba, Brad’s joy at rediscovering LEGO, or Ioana’s reflections on the bonds formed within the Wicked family, each piece added to the rich tapestry of creativity and connection. It was clear that both Broadway and LEGO share a unique magic: the ability to connect people and create worlds, whether on stage or with bricks.
DISCLAIMER: These Wicked sets were provided to BrickNerd by LEGO. Any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.
Have you ever seen the musical Wicked? Share your memories of the show in the comments below.
Do you want to help BrickNerd continue publishing articles like this one? Become a top patron like Marc & Liz Puleo, Paige Mueller, Rob Klingberg from Brickstuff, John & Joshua Hanlon from Beyond the Brick, Megan Lum, Andy Price, Lukas Kurth from StoneWars, Wayne Tyler, LeAnna Taylor, Monica Innis, Dan Church, Roxanne Baxter, and Steven Laughlin to show your support, get early access, exclusive swag and more.
