‘Wicked Day’ to be celebrated at London’s West End

The record-breaking production of “Wicked” in London’s West End will hold its second ever Halloween Day on Oct. 28, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at London’s newest shopping venue, Cardinal Place,  located in the heart of Victoria, according to an article published Wednesday, Oct. 16 on Broadway World’s official Web site.

The event, which is free to the public, will feature Wicked-themed family events such as cast appearances, exhibits of some of the musical’s exclusive costumes and props, face painting, games and quizes, a fancy dress contest. Renditions of songs from the original musical will be performed by the Pimlico Specialist Music at Pimlico School and the “Distant Thunder Drum and Bulge Corps” marching band.

For those who haven’t been transported into the magical world of “Wicked,” this musical will take you on a journey through the lives and relationships of Glinda, the Good Witch of the East, and Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and how they met as random assigned roommates in sorcery school. The unlikely friends started to discover they had a lot in common, including a similar love interest, and joined up to make the trip to Emerald City. But things started falling apart in the friendship long before Dorothy and Toto dropped into the wonderful world of Oz. Don’t miss a second of this spectacular production and make sure to get your Wicked tickets at Stubhub.com before it’s too late!

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

Uggly Betty Nov. 1 episode to feature ‘Wicked’ scenes, stars

The premiere on Nov. 1 of the ABC comedy series “Ugly Betty” will be titled “Something Wicked this Way Comes” and will feature scenes filmed directly from performances of the musical at Los Angeles’ Pantages Theatre and will have guest appearances from Megan Hilty (Glinda, the Good Witch), Eden Espinosa (Elphaba, the Wicked Witch) and Kristofer Cusick (Fiyero), according to an article published Tuesday, Oct. 16 on Broadway World’s official Web site.
The episode will feature the show’s main characters, Betty and Henry, continuing their illicit romance and planing a secret date to see “Wicked” on Broadway. The plan goes awry when Daniel, thinking the tickets are for Betty and Gio, gives them directly to Gio (played by guest star Freddy Rodriguez) and he refuses to give them up. The episode airs on Nov. 1 at 8-9 p.m. eastern time.

For those who haven’t seen “Wicked” the story revolved around Glinda and Elphaba’s relationship long before Dorothy drops into the picture. Still looking to see this smash hit musical? Get Wicked tickets at Stubhub.com right here and right now!

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on October 16, 2007 - Post a comment

Schwartz’s Landmark rock musical ‘Godspell’ returns to Broadway

The Landmark rock musical, ‘Godspell,’ with music and lyrics written by famed composer Stephen Schwartz, is making a return to Broadway stages and is scheduled to begin performances during 2008 at the Shubert Theatre, marking the first run of this iconic musical since it’s initial debut more than 30 years ago, according to an article published Monday, Oct. 15 on the Broadway World official Web site. Schwartz, who is known for his stellar resume - including smash hit musical “Wicked,” as well as “Pippin” and “The Magic Show” - was recently honored by a tribute show that used musical pieces from “Godspell” as well as “Wicked” to show the depth and talent of Schwartz - a Academy and Grammy Award Winner and six-time Tony Award nominee.
“Godspell” is a story written by Carnegie Mellon University scholar John-Michael Tebelak, based on his experience at a Catholic Church during Easter Sunday. Relying heavily on improvisation and contemporary themes to illustrate parables, this production is based on The Gospel according to St. Matthew and features songs that have become staples on Broadway, such as “By My Side” and “Beautiful City.” Now that it has started up, the show looks to improve on its old reign - a whopping five years of sold-out off-Broadway performances followed directly by a little more than a year at Broadhurst Theatre, cashing in a total of 2,600 performances. Don’t miss this spectacular show. Get tickets for Godspell and for Schwartz’s other smash hit “Wicked” at Stubhub.com. Get all the best deals on Wicked tickets at Stubhub.com. Don’t miss either show!

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on October 15, 2007 - Post a comment

Stephen Schwartz to develop new musicals for Carnegie Mellon University

The award-winning composer Stephen Schwartz, whose most famous work is the smash hit musical “Wicked,” has announced that he will collaborate with The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and the Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama New Works Program to develop new musicals that will be selected from the program’s participants, according to a story published Oct. 12 by Broadway World.

The first musical selected for further development is “Alive at Ten,” a musical based on the true story of Pamela Smart and the teacher-student sex-scandal. The musical tells the tale of Kimberly “Kimmie” Sharp, an aspiring TV broadcaster who is stuck teaching at a high school. Her husband doesn’t want her to pursue her goals, but Kimmie will stop at nothing to make her dream come true - even if it means manipulation, seduction and eventually murder, according to the Broadway World overview. The script was developed by the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program at New York’s Tisch School of the Arts and the workshop for the production will take place Oct. 15-20, culminating in a staged reading for invited guests at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.

Although “Alive at Ten” will not be ready for public view for a while, “Wicked” is still showing at theaters in Los Angeles, Chicago and of course, on Broadway. Haven’t seen the show yet? Get Wicked tickets at Stubhub.com and check out all the latest deals!

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on October 12, 2007 - Post a comment

Tony-award winning choreographer Wayne Cilento sets to work on new musical

Tony-award-winning choreographer Wayne Cilento has set to work on a new Broadway endeavor. The musical production genius, who is responsible for the dance numbers in many famed pieces such as “Wicked” - for which he received a Tony award nomination - is now working on “Rockers on Broadway Salute Motown,” a benefit concert featuring world-renowned recording stars and Broadway performers, according to an article published Thursday, Oct. 11 on BroadwayWorld.com.

Rock and roll and radio personality legend Bruce “Cousin Brucie” Morrow will star in the production, along with host Carolina Rhea (TV’s “The Biggest Loser”), as well as being directed and produced by Donnie Kehr (”Jersey Boys” and “The Who’s Tommy) and Cori Gardner (”Triumph of Love”). Performances from Darlene Love (”Hairspray”) and the “original pop princess” Deborah Gibson, as well as Tevin Campbell (”Haispray”) will also grace the production. Don’t miss out on this exciting evening - get tickets now! And if you haven’t seen the smash hit musical “Wicked,” you might also want to book your Wicked tickets at Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on October 11, 2007 - Post a comment

Two new witches burst into the Land of Oz in Broadway’s ‘Wicked’ cast change

As of Tuesday, Oct. 9, Stephanie J. Block and Annaleigh Ashford are joining up for the first time with the Broadway cast of “Wicked” as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda, the Good Witch of the East, according to an article published Wednesday, Oct. 10 on BroadwayWorld.com. Although the two women are not new to the roles (Block originated the role of Elphaba during the pre-Broadway workshops and starred as the green witch during the national tour, while Ashford understudied as Glinda during the shows national tour) their debut on Broadway’s stage is still an added boost to their careers.
Coming directly from the new smash hit musical “Legally Blonde,” the 22-year-old Ashford has come a long way in the two short years since she launched her professional Broadway career. On the other hand, Block - who won over audiences with her portrayl of Liza Minnelli alongside Hugh Jackman “The Boy From Oz” -is also known for her outstanding performance in “The Pirate Queen.” In 2006, Block won the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Actress for her role as Elphaba in the “Wicked” touring company. Now both women will grace the show’s Broadway stage with their well-mastered rendition of the two witches - whose characters are the epitomy of opposites in this heart-felt and often comedic tale of good and bad in the Land of Oz before Dorothy and Toto ever dropped in. For those who haven’t seen this show yet, now is the time to get tickets for this spectacular show that has theater critics raving. For Wicked tickets, visit Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on October 10, 2007 - Post a comment

“Existents” features stellar cast including Wicked’s Espinosa

Eden Espinosa will star in the new rock theatrical “Existents,” which held a one-night-only West Coast Concert premiere Monday, Oct. 8 at the Whisky A Go Go Theatre on Los Angeles’ Sunset Strip, according to an article published Oct. 3 by BroadwayWorld.com. The show also features Kyle Lowder from daytime TV’s “The Bold and the Beautiful,” as well as performance from Ty Taylor (”Rockstar: INXS”), Jason Wooten (”We Will Rock You”), Carly Thomas-Smith (”Rent”) and Douglas Crawford (”Jersey Boys”). Espinosa, who is currently staring as Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West in Broadway’s “Wicked,” is thrilled to be a part of bringing the production to her native Southern California, according to an article published by Taylor on his official Web site, the Ty Taylor Revue.

Existents” is a rock ‘n’ roll musical  that uses that mirrors a formula similar to the “VH-1: Behind the Music” TV show to tell the story of a made-up band, The Existents,  its immediate claim to musical fame and the eventual demise of the group due to the very same dynamics that made them so popular, according to an article published on Playbill.com. The production was created by Taylor, Wooten and Crawford. As for Espinosa, who has returned to her routine performance as Elphaba, the production was another credit to add to her extensive resume. For Wicked tickets, visit Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on October 9, 2007 - Post a comment

22-year-old Broadway star gears up for return to Wicked and huge role change

Annaleigh Ashford, the 22-year-old Broadway actress who made her debut as Elphaba, Wicked Witch of the West in the touring production of the smash hit musical “Wicked,” is now returning to play Elphaba’s No. 1 rival - and she’s not shy about admitting that her role inside the bubble as Glinda the Good Witch is an exciting prospect, according to a Oct. 7 article published by BroadwayWorld.com.

“It’s so crazy, I can’t even believe it,” Ashford said. “I’m so excited. I just had a lesson this morning with my vocal coach; we were singing through the very top of the show – I sang through it and then we both looked at each other and screamed “Oh!” like little girls! I can’t wait. It’s going to be fun and so great to take a journey every night; to start in one place and end up somewhere completely different.”

Growing up in Denver, Colorado, Ashford said that because her mom was a gym teacher she was often enrolled in sports like gymnastics and soccer when she was a child but that she always knew that singing and dancing were her passions and began taking control of that at age 7, when she asked her mom to put her into acting school.
“I knew what I wanted to do,” Ashford said. “I wanted to be in dance class and having a singing teacher. I looked up at my mom and said: “It is time.” She knew exactly what I meant, so we opened up the Yellow Pages and we flipped to the nearest dance studio – it was this really fabulous little ad and it was for Kit Andre’s Dance and Performing Arts Center – and it was this woman in a top hat, really fabulous.”

And so the young aspiring actress made her mark on the world, starting off as Sandy in the Broadway production of “Grease” right after she was accepted into Marymount Manhattan College. Now, she will be juggling “Wicked” rehearsals while still acting in the Broadway production of “Legally Blonde.”

For Wicked tickets, visit Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on October 8, 2007 - Post a comment

More big-time Broadway stars join Schwartz tribute performance

Composer Stephen Schwartz, the creator of the smash hit Broadway musical “Wicked,” will be honored at a tribute performance running Oct. 19-21 as part of the Third Annual Broadway Cabaret Festival at the Town Hall - and recently a slew of new Broadway stars have been added to the lineup, according to an article published Friday, Oct. 5 at BroadwayWorld.com. Karen Akers (”Wherever Love Takes Me”) Marc Kudisch (”The Glorious Ones”), Liz Callaway (”Deuce”) and many more will take on roles in the performance, which is scheduled to run every evening at 8 p.m. and will feature a live interview with the musical mastermind at the events’ beginning.

Schwartz, who has risen to fame for his musical contributions for “Pipen,” “Godspell,” “The Magic Show,” “The Bakers’ Wife” and most recently “Wicked,” will also discuss his work with some lesser known projects such as Disney’s “Pocahontas”  and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” Dreamworks’ “The Prince of Egypt” and wrote music and lyrics for the original TV movie “Gepetto.” For tickets to this tribute concert or for Wicked tickets, visit Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on October 5, 2007 - Post a comment

Waiting for a chance to be ‘Wicked?’ Contest for guest appearance in London production

In celebration of being made the official communications partner for the smash hit production of “Wicked,” Orange has teamed up with the musical’s cast and producers at London’s Apollo Victoria Theater and are offering one lucky winner the chance to walk-on stage as a guest-star during a performance of the play, according to an article published Oct. 3, by BroadwayWorld.com. The “Wicked-Wannabe” contest challenges fans of the original Broadway production to send in a video clip of themselves singing along to one of five song excerpts from “Wicked” and the best clips will be put up on Orange World (the company’s interactive Web site) for the public to decide who their favorite “witches” and “wizards” really are. Semi-finalists will have the chance to audition in front of a panel of theatre experts, including “Wicked” executive producer Michael McCabe.

Orange, a mobile phone and internet service provider company in the UK which is the official sponsor of London’s Wicked production, are giving their customers a one-up on the contest with exclusive contest details posted at its Web site and a chance for Orange users to vote and participate in  online blogs and questionnaires concerning the contest. Participants must be at least 16 years old to enter, but otherwise the contest is open to the general public. Don’t miss out on this contest or the next performance of “Wicked!” Be sure to visit Stubhub.com for the latest news and Wicked tickets.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on October 4, 2007 - Post a comment


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