Friends, co-stars in Wicked team up again for CD release party

Broadway star Stephanie Block, known most recently for originating the role of Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West in the smash hit musical “Wicked,” will join up with David Burnham, who played by Block’s side as Wicked’s original character Fiyero, as he kicks off his CD release celebration concert Sunday, Oct. 7, at Manhattan’s Metropolitan Room, according to an Oct. 3 story published by BroadwayWorld.com. The pair will sing a duet from their days as Elphaba and Fiyero during the one-time performance, which will also feature songs with Destan Owens, who starred in “Rent” and “Chicago” and also appears as a guest vocalist on Burnham’s new solo CD. Burham’s solo effort, containing contemporary theater music and standards and produced by LML Records.

In a recent interview with TheaterMania.com, Burham said he was a little worn out from touring for the past two years with the production of “Light in the Piazza” but that he enjoyed every moment of it. “I’ve actually turned down shows because I think I need to decompress from the experience a little bit,” Burnham said. “I was living like a monk while I was doing the show — no drinking, no staying out late. It’s been nice to go out to dinner, have a life; I even went and screamed karaoke the other night. I blew out my voice and didn’t care.” The former “Wicked” star said his next big gig has him headed to Maine for a Christmas production but that he hasn’t given up on New York’s hustle and bustle all together. “Of course, I do plan to come back to Broadway, but I’d like to be able to originate a role,” he said. “And maybe win a Tony Award. How does that sound?”

While Burnham takes a break to enjoy the success of his recent solo CD release, the cast of Wicked (with Block returning to the Broadway production this month to continue her role as Elphaba) continues to strive on, acting as part of Wicked’s national tour in Chicago, Los Angeles and London. For Wicked tickets, visit Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on October 3, 2007 - Post a comment

Upright Cabaret features performances from Wicked cast

Los Angeles’ Upright Cabaret - part of Upright’s Hollywood Nights - was back with another sold-out performance Sept. 24 at the Eat on Sunset, this time featuring performances from “Wicked” cast members Eden Espinosa (Elphaba the Wicked Witch), Kristofer Cussick, Jenna Leigh Green and Adam Lambert, according to a story published Tuesday, Oct. 2 on BroadwayWorld.com. For Espinosa, the performance was the first off-Broadway she had given since a rendition of the “Wizard and I” at the Christmas 2005 show, and she stayed in the same these, singing a stirring version of “Over the Rainbow.”

Also on hand at the event was “Wicked” music director Brian Perri, who stood in with major directing heavyweight Trapper Felides and Stephen Oremus, producers Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel and “Avenue Q” music director Andrew Graham. Performances from actors and actresses from the major Broadway productions “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Avenue Q,” “Xanadu” and “Les Miserables.” The event was part of the kick off for a new face-life on the La Boehme portion the production and the Upright boys will also be brining the show to a new location in a Palm Springs leg of the tour, held live by the pool at the Viceroy Hotel. For those who haven’t seen the Upright Hollywood Nights, be sure to book your tickets to this performance and to a performance of “Wicked” in your city - the tour is currently playing in Chicago, Los Angeles, London, New York and soon to be Germany and Australia. Get Wicked tickets at Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on October 2, 2007 - Post a comment

Wicked star Kate Reinders to perform at New York nightclub Joe’s Pub

Kate Reinders, known for her roles as Glinda in the Chicago production of “Wicked” and Dainty June in “Gypsy,” will be on hand Monday, Oct. 15 at New York City nightclub Joe’s Pub for an evening of eclectic songs from the Tony-nominated composer Paul Gordon, according to a story published Oct. 1 on BroadwayWorld.com. The show, which will feature selections from all of Gordon’s musicals including his five-time Tony-nominated “Jane Eyre,” is a chance for Reinder and many other big time Broadway stars to display their talents at a different type of venue than the typical Broadway atmosphere. Reinder, the 5′2″ Michigan native who made her Broadway debut at age 21 in “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” (2001) starred in 2005 as Glinda, the Good Witch of the East in Stephen Schwartz’s smash hit “Wicked.” In an interview with BroadwayWorld.com, Reinder said she couldn’t be happier with her opportunity to play the role of Glinda.

“Every show has its challenges, but come on. Be in a hit? With a big entrance in a bubble? OK, if you insist,” Reinders said in the 2005 interview. “How can you complain about entering into a show that you know is already great. The challenge of ‘Good Vibrations’ was the same as all new shows…THEY’RE NEW. It’s a different process. Everything keeps changing and you never know what the outcome will be. With WICKED, that ‘not knowing what is gonna happen’ pressure is off to some extent because you already know that the show is loved and THAT is a WONDERFUL thing. There is just the different challenge of finding a way to make roles that are very specific, well known and loved, your own.”

Although Reinders has moved on to new productions, Wicked is still playing in Chicago, as well as worldwide in its national tour. For Wicked tickets visit Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on October 1, 2007 - Post a comment


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