A ‘Wicked’ Gang of Broadway Stars featured in March 2nd Event

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

It’s not your typical “Wizard of Oz” but an upcoming performance of composer Bobby Cronin’s “Welcome to my Life” will feature some of the most Wicked actors that Broadway has to offer. Brad Bass, Kristy Kates, Kathy Dritch and Ryan Weiss will perform songs written and produced by Cronin at the March 2nd event starting at 9:30 p.m. at The Duplex on Christopher Street, according to an article published Thursday, Jan. 31, on the official Broadway World Web site.

Cronin, an up and coming composer, takes credit for myriad of Broadway and off-Broadway productions, including From this day Forward: A Schwartz Journey, a musical based on the work of famed composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz who is responsible for most recently writing the music and lyrics for Wicked. Cronin also was responsible for hit productions such as A Christmas Carol, That’s Andy, B.R.A.T.T. Camp, and Personals, and is currently working on a book titled “Revival,” writing songs for the musical ‘Til Death do us Part, and working on a film adaptation for Jerry Springer’s Kate Pazakis, according to the Broadway World report.

For those who loved Wicked, the smash hit musical with songs by Stephen Schwartz and based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, taking a night off from regular errands and chores and getting tickets for this hip NYC event might be just what the doctor ordered. Still haven’t seen Wicked, the prequel to the “Wizard of Oz” in which audiences are treated to what really went on in the land of Oz before Dorothy and Toto dropped in? Make sure you get Wicked tickets right here and now at Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on January 31, 2008 - Post a comment

‘Wicked’s’ Burnham Taking it ‘Underground’ for Variety Show

Crazed teenage girls may know him as Fiyero, the love interest that has both Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba the Wicked Witch at each other’s throats in the smash hit musical Wicked, but David Burnham isn’t all about yellow brick roads and all-powerful wizards all the time.

Next weekend, for example, Burnham will star alongside Annie Golden of Xanadu! in the “Saturday Night Underground,” a variety show at New York’s Laurie Beechman Theatre that will feature live interviews, performances and even give the audience a chance to voice their opinions, list their gripes and show off some of their own musical talents, according to an article published Tuesday, Jan. 29, on the official Broadway World Web site.

Burnham, who recently released a debut solo musical album and won the 2007 Best Actor Helen Hayes Award for his role as Fabrizio in The Light in the Piazza,  took over the role of Fiyero for Sebastian Arcelus on Jan. 8 at Broadway’s Gershwin Theatre. Burnham originated that role during the initial Los Angeles workshops of Wicked opposite actress Stephanie J. Block as Elphaba, according to the Broadway World report.

Still haven’t seen Wicked in theaters? The smash hit musical, which has been playing on Broadway since 2003, can now be seen in theaters across the country, as well as in London and Australia. Don’t miss out on your chance to bring the whole family to whimsical and heart-warming tale that weaves the story of Oz’s two witches long before Dorothy drops onto the scene. Get Wicked tickets at Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on January 30, 2008 - Post a comment

Menzel Makes Music World ‘Green” with Envy; Appears on ‘Today Show’

You may know her as Elphaba, that terrible tyrant whose amiable antics in the smash hit Broadway musical Wicked left fans feeling empathetic for a character they never thought they could like. You may recognize her face when you see it slathered with green makeup and perk up when you see the peak of her pointy hat.

As Wicked continues to take audiences - both young and old - by storm, actress Idina Menzel, who originated the character of the Wicked Witch, has another trick up her sleeve. With the official release of her third studio album, “I Stand,” Menzel also appears today on NBC’s “The Today Show” and will perform at the Virgin Megastore in Times Square, according to an article published Tuesday, Jan. 29, at the official Broadway World Web site. Receiving a great deal of attention for her new album, Menzel will also chat with a local cable station show “Good Day LA” on February 7 and will follow that up with a Feb. 13th appearance on the hit daytime show “The View.”

Menzel, who won a Tony award for her performance in Wicked and debuted in the Pulitzer-prize winning production of Rent,  continues to take music fans by storm, as she did most recently with her rendition of the National Anthem at last weekend’s Patriots-Giants game, in front of an estimated audience of millions. Now, with help from Grammy-award winning producer Glenn Ballard, Menzel hopes to continue her success with the release of “I Stand,” an album that features her first single “Brave.”

Check out “I Stand” today in stores and make sure you get a live dose of music as well by purchasing a pair of Wicked tickets at Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on January 29, 2008 - Post a comment

Seamstress behind the Scenes: ‘Wicked’ costume designer receives TDF Award

Bessie Nelson has been pefecting her bead work design since she was nine years old - a feat that sounds pretty impressive until one learns that the youngster had become such a pro at the craft by age 14 that she was classified as “the best little beader” in the city - that is, in small town New Jersey.

But it didn’t take long for Nelson to move toward the bright lights - New York City -  and open her own shop. Soon Nelson was receiving major attention from producers of “The Carol Burnett Show” and “The Sonny and Cher Show,” not to mention working with major celebrities such as Michael Jackson, Liberace, Lionel Richie, Diana Ross and Neil Diamond. It was no surprise when Nelson received this year’s Theater Development Fund (TDF)/Irene Sharaff Award for her work on costumes such as the smash hit Broadway musical Wicked, according to an article published Monday, Jan. 28 at the official Broadway World Web site.

Nelson is known for her beadwork on costumes for major musicals such as Guys and Dolls, Spamalot, The Drowsy Chaperone, Crazy for You, Beauty and the Beast and Miss Saigon, according to Broadway World. She is also credited for producing the stunning attire worn by actresses such as Julia Roberts in the film “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” as well as Bette Middler, Glenn Close and Nicole Kidman in the “Stepford Wives.” Nelson has produced gowns worn by Liza Minnelli,  Meryl Streep and  Shirely MacLaine.

What’s even more impressive than Nelson’s long list of credits, is the fact that Wicked, the smash hit musical that is now being produced in theaters all over the world, is in its fifth consecutive year of performances and still going strong with audiences of all ages. Still haven’t seen this classic tale of what happened in Oz long before Dorothy dropped in? Get Wicked tickets right here and right now at Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on January 28, 2008 - Post a comment

Miriam Turns Wicked

Without talented performer, Miriam Margolyes, the Broadway production of Wicked just seems well, atrocious! Margolyes brings that extra flair to the production with her interpretation of Madame Morrible. The British actress just recently joined the Broadway cast of Wicked which is currently playing at the Gershwin Theatre in New York City. Margolyes has been in such films as “Ladies in Lavender” and in “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.” She perhaps ranks equally alongside such greats as Judi Dench and Maggie Smith with both her screen and stage acting talents.

“Wicked” which is based on Gregory Maguire’s novel examines the lives of the two witches, the Wicked Witch of the West (Elphaba) and the Good Witch (Glinda). Audiences get a sneak peak into who these young ladies were as students practicing sorcery and how their tale unfolded over the years as they made their journey to the land of Oz. Margolyes joins actors David Burnham, Lenny Wolpe, Stephanie J. Block and Annaleigh Ashford who are already part of the Wicked ensemble. If you want to see a frightfully wicked performance that will take you along the yellow brick road, get your pair of Wicked tickets today!

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on January 25, 2008 - Post a comment

Madame Morrible flys over to Broadway from West End

Miriam Margoyles, who starred in London’s West End production of Wicked, is headed for a land far away from the glorious world of Apollo Victoria Theatre.
But the long-time actress - who has starred in more than 40 productions including the major films “Romeo + Juliet” and the Harry Potter series as Professor Sprout - is not leaving Oz just yet - although she most certainly won’t be in Kansas, either. Margoyles began her role as Madame Morrible in the Broadway production of Wicked starting Tuesday, Jan. 22, according to an article published Jan. 4, 2008 at the official  Broadway.com Web site.

Carole Shelley, who had been enjoying her return engagement to the show, left the production on Jan. 20, according to the Broadway.com report. The Broadway production also features major musical stars Stephanie J. Block as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West and Annaleigh Ashford as Glinda, the Good Witch. Lenny Wolpe stars as the Wizard, David Burham protrays Fiyero and Boq is played by the dashing rookie Logan Lipton. Don’t miss out on your chance to see this newly improved cast at Broadway’s Gershwin Theater. Be sure to book your Wicked tickets right here and now at Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on January 24, 2008 - Post a comment

London’s West End Generates Record-Setting Year with help from ‘Wicked’

London’s West End Theatres have set a record breaking year with total attendance for 2007, with the smash hit production of Wicked being one of the most frequently attended performances, according to an article published Saturday, Jan. 19 on the official Broadway World Web site.

The honor, which was awarded to the British theater district in a recent issue of Variety magazine,  was attributed to successful performances from a various number of productions besides Wicked, including Dirty Dancing, The Sound of Music, Grease, Monty Python’s Spamalot, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Billy Elliot. All together, attendance rose by about 10.3 percent and generated a total of $926.3 million in ticket sales, according to the report by Broadway World.

The West End’s Apollo Victoria Theater has housed the British production of Wicked since September 2006 and the smash hit musical features a cast boasting the talented Oliver Tompsett, Dianne Pilkington and Kerry Ellis. The production, which has won three Tony’s and  a Grammy award, will carry on at the theater indefinitely, according to an announcement posted at the official Apollo Theater Web site.
For more information, or to book tickets for this outstanding musical, be sure to visit Stubhub.com and get a pair of Wicked tickets today. Bring the whole family to this exciting event and get your live theater fix for the New Year.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on January 23, 2008 - Post a comment

The Wicked Witch Gears up for a ‘Game of Chess’

Chess the Musical has reportedly recruited Wicked star Idina Menzel to star in its  21st anniversary concert scheduled to run for two nights in May at London’s Royal Albert Hall, according to an article published Saturday, Jan. 19 at the official Broadway World Web site.

Menzel, who is coming into her own as both an established actress - starring briefly in the new Disney film “Enchanted” and recording a song for the major film “Beowulf” - is also a talented young singer, who will release her second full length album “I Stand” and her first single “Brave” on Jan. 29. Starring as the Wicked Witch of the West in Stephen Schwartz’s smash hit musical Wicked, Menzel has made her claim to fame as the “extremely green” Elphaba, winning a Tony award for the role and gaining even more clout with theater gurus on Broadway than she had with her past performances in the musical Rent.
Chess  the Musical, a production based on the book and lyrics written by Tim Rice, is the story of a romantic triangle involving two world champion chess players and the woman who manages one and falls in love with the other, according to Broadway World. The musical has been labeled “a cult hit” and producers are hoping that it will get picked up by the prestigious West End Theater in London after it’s initial revival at the Royal Albert Hall. The concert will also allegedly feature Josh Groban, a Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter who has several independent albums.
Don’t miss out on any of the live theater action in the New Year. Be sure to check out what Chess the Musical has to offer and while you’re at it, snag a pair of Wicked tickets right away and take part in this exciting production that’s fun for the whole family. Visit Stubhub.com today and get tickets now!

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on January 22, 2008 - Post a comment

Something ‘Wicked’ This Way Comes - to Cincinnati

The smash hit Broadway production is packing up and traveling across the country and now fans in Cincinatti can see this amazing musical live at Proctor and Gamble Hall’s Arnoff Center for the Arts, according to an article published one of the production’s many fan sites: MusicalSchwartz.com.

Wicked will take Cincinnati by storm for a whole two weeks, as the production runs through Feb. 3 and features performances each week night at 8 a.m. and afternoon showings on Saturday and Sunday. The Arnoff Center for the Arts will also offer a daily lottery for reduced price $25 tickets, starting each day about two and a half hours before showtime. Participants must be present to enter their names and must be present when names are drawn to win one of the limited amounts of $25 tickets available, according to the venue’s official Web site.

Winner of a Grammy and three Tony awards, Wicked has been entertaining audiences since it premiered on Broadway in 2003. Now the award winning cast and crew have fashioned a national tour of the production - the story of an unlikely friendship between Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda the Good Witch of the East. In this “Wizard of Oz” prequel, audiences of all ages will delight in getting a first hand glimpse into the goings-on of the wonderful world of Oz, way before Dorothy and her trusted Toto dropped in for a visit.

Still haven’t caught a showing of Wicked? Be sure to book a pair of Wicked tickets for the whole family at Stubhub.com right here and right now and secure your seats in advance.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on January 21, 2008 - Post a comment

Schwartz’s ‘Godspell’ Returns to Broadway in 2008

As if Wicked wasn’t enough.

The talented composer Stephen Schwartz, who was responsible for creating music and lyrics for the smash hit Broadway musical that works as the prequel to the “Wizard of Oz,” is returning to Broadway yet again in the New Year with a second run of his hit production Godspell, according to an article published on the Musical Schwartz Web site.

Although cast has not yet been announced, the production will be directed by  Hairspray’s Adam Epstein and will feature new and updated music from the 2006 run, which was directed by Daniel Goldstein at the Paper Mill House. The new production will also feature new choreography from musical mastermind Christopher Gattelli.
“When I saw Daniel Goldstein’s production of Godspell I was overpowered by its vibrancy and relevance,” Epstein said about the former production. “This Broadway production will take that experience to an even more glorious level. It is essential that the power of this production and how it moves people lives on at its highest potential.”

Stay tuned for more details about the 2008 run of Godspell, but in the mean time be sure to book a pair of Wicked tickets right here and right now at Stubhub.com and get in on all the live theater action this year!

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on January 18, 2008 - Post a comment


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