Bostonians have something “Wicked” good on their hands with smash hit musical

The smash hit Broadway musical “Wicked” has opened in Boston’s The Opera House, now through Nov. 11, and the crowds are loving it. In the past, the show - which has been almost five years in the running with a national tour that has been in theaters all over the world - has hit Boston theaters with great success and it looks like that will be the case the second time around for this Stephen Schwartz masterpiece, according to a review of the production published Sept. 28 on Broadway World’s Web site. The cast of the Boston production includes Victoria Matlock - previously in “The Full Monty,” “Evita” and “Jekyll and Hyde” - as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, alongside Christina DiCicco as Glinda, the Good Witch of the East.

In the review, written by Boston native and theater critic Jan Nargi, the two actresses are praised for their ability to lead Boston’s cast in this production “They bring their own sincere interpretations to roles that could (and have in the hands of some replacements) easily become superficial knock-offs of the originals.” The theater crew has also made The Opera House’s technical sound and light aspects of the show much more pleasant then ever before, according to Nargi. “The entire company, in fact, brings wonderful energy to this production,” Nargi wrote. “The emotional stakes have been raised higher than last year’s tour, making the dark aspects darker and the supporting characters more vigorously defined.”

Still haven’t seen this smash hit musical that everyone is talking about? Check out Wicked tickets at Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on September 28, 2007 - Post a comment

Former Wicked star Sara Jean Ford takes on role in ‘Phantom of the Opera’

Sara Jean Ford, who played the role of  in the Chicago production of “Wicked: The Musical,” is returning to the stage in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera” at Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theater in a special 10-week holiday re-installment of the production, which is scheduled to run Oct. 31-Jan. 5, 2008,. according to a story published on Broadway World’s Web site.

Ford, who undertstudied and played the roles of both Glinda and Nessarose in the Chicago cast of “Wicked” and made her New York debut in  as Luisa in the off-Broadway production of “The Fantasticks” - the world’s longest running musical. Now she will be playing the young soprano of Christine in “Phantom” - the object of the masked phantom’s desire, whom he takes under his wing and begins to shape into a new star employing all her natural talents and using his devious methods.
“I decided by the time I was 7 or 8 that I wanted to be a performer,” Ford said. “California is not like New York, where theater is at your fingertips—the theater that I had was in my head. I would take a cast recording and read the liner notes about each scene, press ‘play,’ listen to the song, and then press ‘pause’ and read everything again. My mom always said that when she bought me a recording of a musical, it was like buying me a book because it educated me.”

To catch tickets to see Ford in “Phantom of the Opera,” or to snag a pair of Wicked tickets, visit Stubhub.com and check out all the latest deals, show times and ticket availability.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on September 27, 2007 - Post a comment

Night at Kaufman Center to be big to-do for Schwartz fans

Those who can’t get enough of the lyricist and composer Stephen Schwartz, who has received most recent attention for his Broadway smash hit musical “Wicked,” are in for a treat. This famous Broadway writer, came to worldwide fame while still in his 20s, will be the star of the Oct. 1 Kaufman Center event, which will feature a live interview with Schwartz and a tribute concert using songs from his hit Broadway productions, according to an announcement on MusicalSchwartz.com. This musical genius began writing songs for the production of “Pippen” while studying at Carnegie Mellon University. In high school, the young music prodigy took piano and compositiion classes at the prestigious Julliard School of Music and by the time he was 23, the young composer had already won two Grammy Awards for his music and lyrics for the Broadway production of “Godspell.” During the course of seven years, Schwartz went on to produce music and lyrics for the productions of “The Baker’s Wife,” “The Magic Show” and Stud Terkel’s “Working.” Schwartz was off to a rip-roaring start, and his momentum hasn’t slowed down yet, as is clear with his newest endeavor, “Wicked,” which is based on the novel by Gregory Maguire.

“Wicked” tells the story of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and her unlikely youthful friendship with Glinda, the Good Witch of the East, which blossoms when the teenage sorceresses are placed in the same room during witchcraft boarding school. The two realize they have more in common then they had imagined - including setting their sights on the same love interest - and decide to journey off together to see the Wonderful Wizard of Oz in Emerald City. Somewhere along the way, long before Dorothy and Toto drop in, the leading characters discover just what makes them who they will end up. For those who still haven’t seen “Wicked,” now is the time to grab a pair of tickets and enjoy this whimsical tale of coming-of-age, jealousy and self-determination. Get your Wicked tickets at Stubhub.com now!

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on September 26, 2007 - Post a comment

Avenue Q’s Barrett Boa to star in Schwartz tribute on Broadway

Stephanie J. Block, Sebastian Arcelus and Julia Murney - all from the cast of “Wicked” - can be seen in photos from this year’s 21st Annual Broadway Flea Market and Grand Auction, along with the new face of Barrett Foa, who will be performing in the upcoming musical “Stephen Schwartz: Magic to Do.” The production,  held as part of the Broadway Up-Close series, will honor the great composer and lyricist, who is responsible for creating not only the Broadway smash hit “Wicked,” but also a myriad of other critically acclaimed productions such as “Pippin,” “Godspell” and the “Baker’s Wife.” Foa, who recently made his network television debut on the ABC seriues “Six Degrees,” has also starred in Broadway’s “Avenue Q” and “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” as well as off-Broadway in Bay Street Theatre’s production of “The Lady in Question,” alongside Julie Andrews.
In an interview with Broadway World, the young New York City native talks about what it’s been like to grow up in Manhattan and end up in the roles he has had the chance to already star in during his short time on Broadway. “I think it is, but it’s the same way that people are like, “I can’t believe you’re from the city.  What’s that like?”  And I’m like, “I can’t believe you’re from the suburbs.  What’s that like?  Because that was my reality, so I have nothing to compare it to.  But, now that I realize that all the world did not grow up on the UES of Manhattan, I mean…first of all, just going to Dalton, which is kind of a fancy-shmancy private school on the UES, for better and for worse.  It was really academically minded.  They had a great arts program.They had a great Modern Dance program, and we would like go to the Joyce and wrote a paper.  And I was a part of this choreographer’s program and it was a great, creative outlet.”

For tickets to any of Schwartz’s or Foa’s productions, or to snag a pair of Wicked tickets, be sure to visit Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on September 25, 2007 - Post a comment

2007 Broadway flea market and grand auction raises record amount

Raising more than $559,000, this year’s 21st Annual Broadway Flea Market and Grand Auction, which took place Saturday, Sept. 22 and Sunday, Sept. 23 in Shubert Alley, was one of the most successful of its kind, beating out last year’s total of a little more than $505,000 and auctioning off some of the most sought-after pieces that Broadway has to offer. Wicked star Julia Murney (Elphaba in the Broadway production) was on hand at the event along with  dozens of other Broadway and television actors and actresses, all in hopes of raising money for the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS organiztion.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, a national non-profit organization that is the leading industry-based organization for AIDS fund raising and grant making in the nation. Through events such as this particular auction and by drawing upon the dedication and generosity of the American theatre community, the organization has raised more than $130 million since it was founded in 1988 toward critical services that assist people with AIDS, HIV and HIV-related illnesses. Now with the help of major productions, such as Wicked and the frenzy that cast members draw from their biggest fans, the organization will look to another successful year with the auction. For those who haven’t been to the smash hit production, now is the time to get Wicked tickets at Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on September 24, 2007 - Post a comment

October Broadway gala to honor Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz

As part of the third annual Broadway Cabaret Festival, held at New York’s Town Hall, a New York gala will be held Oct. 19 as part of opening ceremonies in tribute to composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, who is known for producing some of the most prominent musicals of his time, such as Godspell, Pippin, The Magic Show, Working and most recently Wicked. The musicial mastermind has won four Grammy, three Oscars and countless theatre awards for his work and will be present at the gala to witness the performance of many of his musical pieces performed by cast members in ultimate praise of his previous endeavors, according to an article published Friday, Sept. 21 by BroadwayWorld.com. Some of the msot talented Broadway stars, such as Lari White, Liz Callaway and Judy Kuhn, will also be on hand that evening to perform many of the musical numbers. The famed Tony-award-winning Betty Buckley, whose name and voice have become synonymous with Broadway, will grace Town Hall’s stage for the first time to perform some of the hits from the musical Pippen, of which she was a star.

Earlier this month, the composer was honored in Los Angeles’ West Hollywood during a similar tribute celebration in which Broadway actors Bets Malone, Meloney Collins, Jeffrey Landman and Shelley Goldstein sang nubmers from several of Schwartz’s pieces including Pippen and The Magic Show. The show’s host, Ryan Black said this of Schwartz: “What a night! Very few times in one’s lifetime do we get to share the room with a living legend, such as Stephen Schwartz -to be in a club and see George Gershwin or Cole Porter, or Rogers and Hammerstein - well, here we are in a room, with a man of this stature, and 50 years from now, we’ll say the same thing about Stephen. Thank you for gifting us- Broadway has changed for good, with the phenomenon of Wicked.”

To get Wicked tickets, visit Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on September 21, 2007 - Post a comment

Stephen Schwartz stays busy over next few months promoting Wicked, other musicals

Stephen Schwartz, the mastermind behind the Broadway smash hit musical Wicked, which recently just celebrated its fourth anniversary, is staying busy through the months of October and November as he gears up for “Stephen Schwartz Night” Oct. 1 in New York, where he will give live interviews and will attend a large tribute concert. Later that month, the composer-lyricist will be in Pittsburgh for a reading of the new musical “Alive at Ten” in a collaboration with Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Carnegie-Mellon University, and ASCAP. By November, it will be off to Germany to attend Wicked’s grand opening at the Palladium Theatre in Stuttgart.

In a recent interview with N2Arts.com, Schwartz talked about his love for music and how he got involved in the Broadway music scene. After seeing a Broadway musical at an extremely young age, Schwartz said he knew that the Broadway genre was the type of music he wanted to get involved with.

“I was very interested in music as long as I can remember,” Schwartz said. “Musical talent is something, of course, that shows up very, very early. That’s why there are so many musical prodigies. That’s just the nature of that gift - that it makes itself known very early in life. The same was true in my case. I had always been interested in music. It just got directed toward theatre because when I saw musical theatre, I was completely knocked out by the whole experience. But I think there’s no question that I would always have wanted to do something professionally, to do with music.”

His love for music turned into not only a passion, but something that has made his a very well-known composer on Broadway. With Wicked receiving honors such as best musical of the year, its no wonder that Schwartz is becoming one of the most legendary men in the industry. For those still waiting to get Wicked tickets, Stubhub.com is the place to go. Check it out now!

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on September 20, 2007 - Post a comment

Broadway’s ‘Christmas in New York’ announces line up including Wicked cast members

The opening for London’s West End ‘Christmas in New York’ production was announced today as Dec. 9 and the cast was also revealed, including Wicked’s Oliver Tompsett, who played the role of Fiyero, a prince who attends the same sorcery school as Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch of the East. The musical, which is a celebration of contemporary holiday music and festive favorites, will play for one night only for its second year at the Lyric Theater, according to the story published Sept. 19 on BroadwayWorld.com. Staring actress Anna-Jayne Casey, who appeared in a host of Broadway musicals that most recently include “Chicago” and the award-winning production of “Sunday in the Park with George,” “Christmas in New York” has proven itself to be one of the most entertaining events of the year.

Tompsett’s role as Fiyero, which he played since joining the cast in 2006, has helped him develop into his new role in “Christmas in New York.”  As well as staring in Wicked, Tompsett has also been a part of the 2002 production  “Our House,” as well as “Over My Shoulder: The Story of Jessie Matthews,” “The Royal Hunt of the Sun” and “Notes From New York.” Now, as he gears up for his second time around in “Christmas in New York,” this year performing on Lyric Theater’s stage instead of the Apollo’s. He is currently still in his role as Fiyero at London’s Apollo Theater and for those who have not caught a performance of Wicked, this is a must-see musical. For Wicked tickets, visit Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on September 19, 2007 - Post a comment

Former Wicked cast members star in upcoming Broadway production ‘The Receptionist’

Kendra Kassebaum and Jayne Houdyshell started rehearsals today for their roles in the new Broadway musical “The Receptionist,” which opens for previews Oct. 12th and for the official run on Oct. 30th, according to a Sept. 18 story published by BroadwayWorld.com. The story, which is set in an office in the Northeast, revolves around Houdyshell’s character - a woman who takes great pride in her job and is often coaching her co-worker Lorraine, played by Kassebaum, through her romantic troubles and fielding calls for the boss. The play is scheduled to run at 8 p.m. Tues.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sat. and Sun. and 7 p.m. Sun. at the New York City Center. Tickets are $75 per person, $25 for students and will be available soon.

Houdyshell, who played the character Madame Morrible in the Los Angeles production of Wicked - a role that gained her much critical acclaim, is now scheduled to play a much different role than the evil and tricky sorcery school professor who convinces the young Elphaba to create horrible flying monkeys for the Wizard and then spreads rumors about her, causing Elphaba to known as the Wicked Witch of the West.  Now the Tony award winning actress will step into the more realistic and down to earth role of Beverly, a receptionist who is forced to mediate when a handsome employee from the central office arrives and Lorraine becomes smitten.

For those who haven’t seen Wicked, the smash hit Broadway musical that has taken its show on the road to include Los Angeles, London and Chicago performances, it is a must-see act that deserves a place in every theater fan’s musical memories. Setting the scene in the Land of Oz long before Dorothy and Toto drop in, Wicked tells the story of Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda the Good Witch of the East, their unlikely early childhood friendship and how that relationship eventually develops into a hatred for one another, causing them to be complete rivals. For Wicked tickets, visit Stubhub.com now for the best deals.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on September 18, 2007 - Post a comment

Broadway Cares holds annual benefit flea market and auction; gives public chance to star in musicals

The 21st Annual Broadway Flea Market and Grand Auction is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 23 and will feature some of the biggest stars on Broadway and daytime television - not to mention it will give those aspiring actors a chance bid on guest role in some of the biggest musicals such as “Wicked,” “Rent,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Mamma Mia,” “Jersey Boys” or “Legally Blonde,” according to a Sept. 15 story posted on the Broadway World Web site. The outdoor event, held in Shubert Alley, is free and open to the public and also boasts rare cast recordings and costume sketches, signed show posters and Playbills, and the chance to pose for photographs with Broadway Stars - the perfect opportunity for theatre-lovers to score the most sought-after material. The auction will offer VIP passes for some of TVs most popular shows, such as “Scrubs,” “Ugly Betty” and “The Daily Show” and those in attendance will also get a chance to bid on the official wardrobe trunk used by prominent film and Broadway actress Jessica Tandy during the tour of “A Delicate Balance.”
The event is hosted by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, a national non-profit organization that is the leading industry-based organization for AIDS fund raising and grant making in the nation. Through events such as this particular auction and by drawing upon the dedication and generosity of the American theatre community, the organization has raised more than $130 million since it was founded in 1988 toward critical services that assist people with AIDS, HIV and HIV-related illnesses. Now with the help of major productions, such as Wicked and the frenzy that cast members draw from their biggest fans, the organization will look to another successful year with the auction. For those who haven’t been to the smash hit production, now is the time to get Wicked tickets at Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on September 17, 2007 - Post a comment


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