STEPHEN SCHWARTZ

Stephen Schwartz, the mastermind behind "Wicked, " made a bold move. He decided not to host a gala at the Kennedy Center. This decision came after changes at the arts center under the Trump administration. Schwartz believes the Kennedy Center is no longer a safe space for free artistic expression.

As "Wicked" makes its return to San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre, it's hard not to wonder: what's behind its enduring appeal? Is it the show's ability to balance darkness and light, or its masterful blend of YA fantasy and power ballads? Perhaps it's a combination of both. The musical, which premiere