In a delightful and unexpected twist, two cantors from New York City’s Park Avenue Synagogue have taken the traditional Shabbat closing prayer Adon Olam and infused it with a modern Broadway flair. Set to the tune of “Popular” from the beloved musical-turned-movie Wicked, their rendition—fittingly titled “A Wicked Adon Olam”—has captured the attention of thousands online. Performed by Cantors Azi Schwartz and Mira Davis, the video has already been viewed over 100,000 times across social media platforms.

Why Wicked? Why Now?

The choice to set Adon Olam to Wicked’s “Popular” wasn’t simply about the music’s appeal; it was also about the story behind the show. Wicked, which reimagines The Wizard of Oz from the perspective of the so-called “Wicked Witch of the West,” explores themes of otherness, misunderstanding, and acceptance. These deeply human struggles resonate with Jewish history and values, where...