SAN ANTONIO — Broadway actress Celia Hottenstein is living out a dream that is bringing her to the Alamo City for three weeks over the holidays.
"It's a huge responsibility, but it is so fun. This has been a dream role of mine since I saw the show in May of 2005," she said.
The role is the iconic Glinda from the Broadway show, WICKED, which will take up residence in the Majestic Theatre from Dec. 20 - Jan. 7. The show's popularity is a proven success, with most of the tickets for the 24 performances already sold.
But, there was no yellow brick road to lead her to the role. She joined the cast of Broadway's WICKED in 2019 after a very long audition process.
"I think I auditioned six times over the course of five years for various different, what we call 'tracks,' for the role of Glinda, for the standby, for the understudy in different productions. It was a long journey, but I am here now and I am happy to be here," Hottenstein said from her New Orleans hotel room ahead of her long stay in San Antonio.
It speaks to the story's incredible ability to connect with people that the show is being offered two dozen times to San Antonio audiences. Hottenstein says many people she meets are seeing the show for the second, third or even 30th time!
"Shows that are very good don't always last, especially in a post-COVID world," Hottenstein said. "So this show is very successful and very popular, I think, because of the message it sends. It just celebrated 20 years on Broadway back in October."
She went on to say the success of the show is especially meaningful by focusing on the friendship between the two main characters, Elphaba and Glinda.
"It's a message everyone can relate to. It's a friendship between two women, which you don't often see these days depicted on stage or in film or TV," Hottenstein said. "And I think it encourages everybody to strive to be their authentic selves, especially people who were misunderstood at some point in their lives...and it always seems relevant."
Hottenstein says her background prepared her to take on the role of the whimsical and loving Glinda.
"I love comedy, I grew up loving Lucille Ball and physical comedy and all things like that," Hottenstein said. "I never thought I would get to play [Glinda] every day."
And as far as her time she plans to spend in the Alamo City, she got right to one of the city's proudest features.
"I'm really interested in trying the food in San Antonio," she said.
Hottenstien is no stranger to San Antonio. She was here several years ago with the tour of Phantom of the Opera, but she hopes her longer stay this time will afford her more chance to get to the know the place.
"When I was here last time, I did not live near the River Walk, but this time I am living near the River Walk, so I am excited to explore," Hottenstien said. "I am also excited to be there during the holidays. We are going to be there for my dog's 10th birthday, Christmas, New Year's Eve and my birthday, so it's a lot of celebrations."
Hear more from Celia in our full interview below. And click here for tickets.