Wicked’s Julia Murney appears in ‘Broadway Backwards 3′ performance

Elphaba is back in town - but she won’t be painted green this time.

Julia Murney, who starred as the Wicked Witch of the West in Stephen Schwartz smash hit musical, is returning to the stage Feb. 4 for a one-night only, almost-sold-out performance of “Broadway Backwards 3″ - a whimsical evening in which male singers perform songs traditionally sung by females and vice versa, according to a  article published Thursday, Jan. 17 on the official Broadway World Web site.

The event, which will benefit the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual  and Transgender community, will feature some of the most popular show tunes from all of Broadway’s most stunning productions, including Murney’s Wicked. A star-studded cast lineup also graces the annual production, including actors Neil Patrick Harris from the TV series “How I Met Your Mother,” Gary Beach from TV’s “The Producers,” Sandy Duncan from TV’s “The Hogan Family,” Malcolm Gets from TV’s “Caroline in the City” and many other performers from Broadway musicals, such as Cheyennne Jackson from Xanadu and Titus Burgess from The Little Mermaid.

Don’t miss out on your chance to attend this stunning event - several seats are still left in the Orchestra balcony section. Be sure to secure your seat in advance and book a pair of tickets for this event or pair of Wicked tickets at Stubhub.com, and take part in a live theater production featuring all your favorite actors and actresses. Visit Stubhub.com and get tickets!

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on January 17, 2008 - Post a comment

Tony-award winning ‘Wicked’ actress performs VIP Concert at The Canal Room

Adorned in a drape-sleeve white tunic and an oversized, yet classy bronze medallion necklace, Idina Menzel was all smiles Monday, Jan. 15 as she performed songs from her not-yet-released album “I Stand” at a special VIP concert at Broadway’s The Canal Room, according to an article published Tuesday, Jan. 15 on the Broadway World Web site.
The Tony-award winning actress, who was most recently recognized for her role as Elphaba in both the London and Broadway productions of Wicked, rose to stardom with her performance in the smash hit musical Rent. Menzel will release her new album Jan. 29, which features her first hit single “Brave.” The actress also starred most recently in the top-grossing Disney film “Enchanted” and recorded a soundtrack song for the film “Beowulf,” as well as played roles in films such as “Summer of Sam,” “Kissing Jessica Stein” and “Ask the Dusk.”

As Wicked’s Elphaba, Menzel spent most of her time getting painted green by makeup artists and showing thousands of audiences that a “wicked witch” actually does has feelings. Wicked is the story of Elphaba and Glinda, the “Galinda” - before she changed her name, and how they became unlikely friends at sorcery school. Eventually the two become serious enemies after falling for the same love interest and making a joint expedition to Emerald City.

Thousands of theater fans have been flipping over this “Wizard of Oz” prequel and now you can join in the fun, too. Grab a pair of Wicked tickets at Stubhub.com and bring the whole family out for a day at the theater!

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on January 16, 2008 - Post a comment

Schwartz and cast to perform ‘Brightly Shining’ live in NYC

Stephen Schwartz, the award-winning lyricist and composer who is most well-known for his recent smash hit musical Wicked, will perform the song “Brightly Shining” - a number that he created for a holiday episode of the Disney Chanel series “Johnny and the Sprites” - Feb. 3 during a special benefit concert, according to an article published on the Musical Schwartz Web site.

The event, which will take place at Town Hall on 123 West 43rd Street, will feature a live performance from Schwartz, as well as stories and songs from series’ star John Tartaglia and all his special friends: Lily, Root, Ginger and Basil. The TV show “Johnny and the Sprites” has enjoyed two seasons of success since premiering in 2005 with short, five-minute episode clips. Tartaglia, a song-writer who creates and produces each segment, also appears as the voice for one of the puppet Sprites, Sage.

The special concert - held for just one evening - will benefit the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) organization,  a non-profit which  raises support and awareness for those in the performing arts community affected by life-threatening or critical illnesses, such as (but not limited to) HIV and AIDS.

What better time to buy a ticket for a live production on Braodway than now, and what better cause to benefit than the  BC/EFA? Bring the whole family out to see “Johnny and the Spirtes” live or grab a pair of Wicked tickets right here at Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on January 15, 2008 - Post a comment

Eden Espinosa learns a few tricks at Disney Land

While she made her claim to fame with the smash hit Broadway musical Wicked, Eden Espinosa really learned the trick of the trade in another magical land - Disney Land, that is.

Espinosa, who stared as Elphaba, Wicked Witch of the West, didn’t get her start as an actress in an off-Broadway production or in a community theater. Instead, the 29-year-old singer got her start working behind the scenes at the Magic Kingdom as a youth, having one foot in the door due to the fact that several of her family members also worked at Disney. Growing up in Anaheim, Orange County, the young aspiring actress was also fairly close to the theme park - something that would both come in handy and further inspire her to pursue her dreams, according to a Dec. 2007 article published by the Los Angles Times.

At age 17, Espinosa  got her first role in  a Disney Christmas production and then moved on to star as Ariel in “The Little Mermaid,” Pocahontas in that major production and as a supporting actress in “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” according to the Times article. This was the start of an extremely successful career.

But her jobs at Disney made her tough and taught her the ropes before it was time for her to move up and perform with the show-stoppers on Broadway, Espinosa said during her interview with the Times.

“It’s rough; it’s five or six shows a day,” Espinosa said. “And if you were in an outdoor theater, sometimes you had special ‘Code 90′ shows, which meant that you had a modified show because it was so hot. The costumes are heavy, and you’re running around.”

Her tolerance for costumes has risen considerably, however, since starring as Elphaba in Wicked - a role in which she had t her face painted green throughout the entire show. Wicked, the prequel to “The Wizard of Oz,” tells the story of Elphaba and Glinda, their friendship and eventual turbulence and how their story unfolded long before Dorothy and Toto ever dropped into the land of Oz.

Don’t miss this amazing performance and be sure to snag a pair of Wicked tickets right here at Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on January 14, 2008 - Post a comment

NY Theatre Barn: ‘Not Quite Junk..In the Trunk’ featuring ‘Wicked’ songs

One theater-lover’s trash is another’s treasure.

Or so is the case with the newest offering at New York Theatre Barn (NYTB) - an organization dedicated to promoting plays, theater projects and individual artists.

NYTB will present “Not Quite Junk…In the Trunk,” a performance featuring songs that have been or will soon be cut from some of Broadway’s most popular current productions, such as Wicked, according to an article published Thursday, Jan. 10 on the official Broadway World Web site. The performance is part of a monthly offering held by NY Theater Barn at the Duplex, which was created to highlight new composers, writers and performers in order to promote new productions.

“Not Quite Junk…In the Trunk” will feature songs from Wicked, the smash hit musical with music and lyrics composed by Grammy and Oscar winning Stephen Schwartz, as well as songs from Avenue Q and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.  Broadway  performers such as  Lisa Howard, Jared Gertner and Stanley Bahorek from Spelling Bee will perform some of the selections, according to Broadway World.

Haven’t seen anything on Broadway lately? If you love theater, now is a great time to bring your friends and family to a live production and introduce those close to you to the magical world of performing arts. Make sure to secure seats in advance and book Wicked tickets right here and right now at Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on January 11, 2008 - Post a comment

‘Wicked’ composer Schwartz heads up ASCAP/Disney Musical Workshop

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Foundation is teaming up with Grammy-and-Oscar-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz yet again to offer the Disney Musical Theatre Workshop in both Los Angeles and New York, according to an article published Wednesday, Jan. 9, at the official Broadway World Web site.

The annual ASCAP event is held to discover and support new American musicals and Schwartz, who has been most recently recognized for his work on the smash hit musical Wicked, is a perfect candidate to lead up the workshop as artistic director. After creating music for major musicals, such as Pipin and Godspell, and writing songs for major Walt Disney films such as “Pocahontas” and “Enchanted,” Schwartz is a legend in his business and has gained the respect and loyalty of thousands of theater and film fans across the world.

Those participating in the workshop will receive constructive criticism from a panel of judges as they present bits and pieces of their professional work-in-progress, according to the Broadway World article. The Disney Musical Workshop is just one of the many series of classes ASCAP offers. Created more than three decades ago in 1975, the ASCAP Foundation is a charitable organization that offers support to young American music creators through grants, workshops and other educational programs.

Now is a great time to get involved in professional theater, whether it’s directly - by attending one of these workshops -  or indirectly by supporting a musical production by attending a performance. Don’t miss out on your chance to see Schwartz’s smash hit musical Wicked, which is running at theaters in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and a few select others as part of a national tour. Get Wicked tickets now at Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on January 10, 2008 - Post a comment

LA ‘Wicked’: Glinda and Elphaba move from Oz to ‘9 to 5′

Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba the Wicked Witch will soon be faced with the harsh reality of day to day life.

Megan Hilty, who stars as Glinda in the Los Angeles production of Wicked, is making the switch this coming Sept. to the role of Doralee in the pre-Broadway debut of the musical 9 to 5, according to an article published Dec. 30, 2007 at Broadway World’s official Web site. The role of Doralee was portrayed by famous country western star and actress Dolly Parton in the 1980 same-titled major motion picture.

The pre-Broadway run for the new musical will be held Sept. 21-Oct. 29 at the Ahmanson Theater and will also feature actress Stephanie J. Block, who starred as Elphaba in the Broadway and Los Angeles productions of the musical. Block, a southern California native, will make her debut in the musical as Judy Bernly - a character played by famous actress Jane Fonda in the 1980 film.

9 to 5 is a musical about the three female secretaries who are able to turn the tables on an extremely sexist male boss - a drastic change from Wicked, a whimsical production that tells the story of the two witches of Oz, as they journey to the Emerald City, quarrel  over the same love interest and ultimately become enemies, all before Dorothy and Toto decide to drop in on the land of enchantment.

Still haven’t seen Wicked? Now is the perfect time to check out the production at one of the many theaters around the world where the smash hit is being performed. Check out Stubhub.com right here and right now for Wicked tickets and get the best deal.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on January 9, 2008 - Post a comment

‘Wicked’ national tour wins Baltimore Readers’ Choice

The votes are in and Baltimore theater patrons have set the bar high for musical productions in years to come.
The results for the first annual Baltimore Readers’ Choice Awards were recently released and Wicked and Avenue Q were voted best professional tours without hesitation as part of its annual poll, according to an article published Tuesday, Jan. 8, at Broadway World’s official Web site.

In its first  year, the Baltimore Readers’ Choice Awards polled approximately 200 people in Maryland, with voters ranging in age from 8 to 66 years old, according to Broadway World. Ninety percent of voters attended professional theater most frequently and the majority of voters said they attended as many as 20 different productions per year, the poll reported.

Wicked, which had a brief run in Baltimore as part of a larger national tour which is still in big cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago and London, is the story of what happened in Oz between Elphaba and Glinda - the Wicked Witch and the Good Witch - long before Dorothy dropped in on the action.

Don’t miss out on your chance to see this award-winning smash hit production. No matter where you live, Wicked tickets are available for a nearby theater so be sure to book a pair at Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on January 8, 2008 - Post a comment

From Hogwarts to Oz: Miriam Margoyles joins cast of ‘Wicked’

Actress Miriam Margoyles may be best known for her role as Professor Sprout in J.K. Rowling’s fantasy world of “Harry Potter” and friends, but now she is emerging into on a whole new land of magic.

Margoyles will begin in the role of Madam Morrible in the Broadway cast of Wicked Jan. 22 - the position is her Broadway debut. Margoyles originated Madam Morrible’s character in the London production of Wicked, the smash hit musical which features award-winning music and lyrics by composer Stephen Schwartz, according to an article published Friday, Jan. 4 at the Broadway World official Web site. The actress also starred in Martin Scorsese’s “Age of Innocence,” for which she won the BAFTA award for best supporting actress. Margoyle’s has appeared in more than 40 major films, including Juliet’s nurse in Baz Luhrrman’s “Romeo + Juliet.”

Wicked is the story of Elphaba and Glinda, two young witches who meet at sorcery school, become unlikely friends and take a journey to Emerald City together where they discover that their differences outweigh their desire to be pals. Join familiar friends and some new ones in the land of Oz, as they embark on a story - based on the enchanted novel by Gregory Maguire - of what happened in the whimsical land of yellow brick roads long before Dorothy dropped in for a visit.

If you still haven’t checked out Wicked tickets, then be sure to score a pair right here and now at Stubhub.com and bring the whole family out to see this spellbinding production.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on January 7, 2008 - Post a comment

Three of Shwartz’s songs for Disney’s ‘Enchanted’ to be considered for Oscars

When composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz was recurited to write the music and lyrics for the Disney movie “Enchanted,” he was thrilled to learn that he would get the pleasure to work with fellow composer Alan Menken. The two also worked together on other award-winning productions and now their collaboration for the music in “Enchanted” may bring them more of that same success, according to an article published by MusicalSchwartz.com.

Three of the songs written for “Enchanted” will be considered for Oscar nominations at this year’s 80th Academy Awards, including the “Happy Working Song,” “That’s How You Know” and “So Close.” Schwartz, who is most well known for his work on the smash hit musical Wicked, seems to have an instant hit once again with this Disney favorite, which combines the premise for several different fairy tales and weaves them into a clever story of a princess who is banished from her magical land and ends up in an all-together different place - New York City.

If you still haven’t seen this movie, check it out this weekend and grab a pair of Wicked tickets while you are at it, because Schwartz’s productions seem to be a hit with everyone - no matter how young or old. Get tickets at Stubhub.com today!

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on January 4, 2008 - Post a comment


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