Did you know that the hit Broadway musical Wicked was inspired by local Albany author Gregory Maguire? While his retelling of the traditional book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum is a much more adult take on the story, his recreation of it gained so much attention and popularity that it was developed into the blockbuster 2003 Broadway musical, Wicked, which is now Broadway’s fifth-longest running show. Most of Maguire’s books are retelling of classic children’s tales catered towards young adults. He’s written novels in Cinderella, Alice, and Snow White’s worlds, normally focusing on the regularly regarded side characters. Maguire’s creative retelling of children’s tales not only further develops those fictional universes, but oftentimes gives parents something to think of when their child re-watches Cinderella for the one hundredth time. He’s also written a handful of children’s books, too. Maguire is certainly an author designed to be shared with the whole family, which is part of what makes him a notable Literary Legend.
Gregory Maguire was honored at the 2015 Literary Legends gala. His novels regularly appear on the New York Times bestseller list. Maguire has always had an interest in children’s education and learning experiences: as a matter of fact, he co-founded a nonprofit educational charity, Children’s Literature New England, Inc., and was co-director for twenty-five years. He has also been a board member of the National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance for years.
