Getting Down to the Roots of Wicked

Wicked is no doubt one of the hottest shows on Broadway, it rivals the ever-popular “Phantom of the Opera,” and millions of people flock to see the story unfold onstage every year.  But what’s behind the story of these two witches from Oz, what’s between the lines?  In an interview with theage.com.au, creator of the story, Gregory Maguire opens up as to what “Wicked” is all about.  Maguire penned the novel in 1995 and he says that he wrote it in response to his shock at the powerful propaganda employed in the lead-up to the first Gulf War.  The show doesn’t cover all of the story’s original political corruption and detail, but it’s fair to say that it follows the written word pretty closely.

He says that he choose to update L. Frank Baum’s classic tale, “The Wizard of Oz” because, “after Hitler, the Wicked Witch of the West is close second among scary archetypes to Americans.  I settled on Wicked to explore themes of personal and political morality and then, as a novel, it had a snowballing momentum of its own.”  Wicked does an excellent job of exploring the ongoing war between good and evil, themes that are not only present in a fantasy story but are just as real in the world that we are living in today.  See Wicked and observe for yourself the inner message to this interesting story.  You can purchase your pair of Wicked tickets from Stubhub.com.

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

Espinosa Goes From Green to Red

Eden Espinosa, who previously filled the pointed shoes of the Wicked Witch, Elphaba in “Wicked” is set to star in the Reprise! Broadway’s Best upcoming staging of Kander and Ebb’s “Flora, the Red Menace.”  The limited engagement is set to run May 6-18 at UCLA’s Freud Playhouse.  The opening night is scheduled for May 7.  “Flora, the Red Menace” features music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb.  Flora, according to press notes posted on Playbill.com “is set in 1935, the year that President Franklin Roosevelt started the New Deal to help pull the country out of th edepth of the Depression.  Flora, an optimistic and headstrong woman, is looking to make her way in New York as a fashion designer when she finds herself falling for the shy Harry, a WPA artist who convinces her to join the Communist party.”

Eden Espinosa initially made her Broadway debut covering two roles in the production of “Wicked,” those of Elphaba and Nessarose.  Eventually she assumed the role of Elphaba on Broadway and is also noted for opening the sit-down production of Wicked in Los Angeles.  Espinosa is obviously a very talented actress who has paved her way across the theater district in New York City, performing for ecstatic audiences at every single one of her productions thus far.  There is no doubt that the woman who started off as the green witch will amaze her fans in this new production.  Don’t miss Eden Espinosa and don’t miss the next showing of Wicked.  Get your Wicked tickets today from Stubhub.com.

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

The Wonderful World of Wicked

Do you want to read the book about those two witches in the Wizard of Oz that has captured the attention of excited fans around the world, but you don’t want to go to the bookstore?  You can read the chapters online if you so desire, or you can always head to the theater and see the story unfold onstage.  Or you can do both!  The book is extremely well written and is engaging and you will find that the actors on the stage portray the story with impeccable accuracy.  The story is unique in that it specifically takes a look at two characters from the novel and paints them in an entirely different light that they were portrayed in the legendary “Wizard of Oz,” by L.Frank Baum.

There is a good reason why Wicked has done so well at the theaters, especially in Los Angeles, where ticket sales have hit record numbers.  The story is based on something old that has been revamped into something new.  A twist has emerged in the story of Oz and it is enchanting.  People love back stories…they love to know the stories before and what happened after the last sentence is written.  Wicked gives you the insight that you desire after reading the “Wizard of Oz” and you will be pleased with the outcome.  Treat yourself to a wicked night of sorcery and see the witches live with your pair of Wicked tickets from Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on February 27, 2008 - Post a comment

Idina Menzel Goes Solo

It appears that singer Idina Mezel has no problem standing alone.  The release of her album, called “I Stand,” has been long-awaited, with fans of the Broadway star lining up to obtain a copy of her debut record.  The album hit the Billboard Charts at the number 58 spot, which is not so bad for a newcomer to the charts.  The album features nine songs all written by Menzel, so there is guaranteed to be a splash of originality to the CD.  Menzel is perhaps best known for her run as Elpheba, the green witch in the hit production of “Wicked.”  Because of her success with the show, she earned a much deserved Tony Award.  Also notable was her Broadway debut in the Pulitzer Prize winning musical, “Rent.”

More recently fans might remember when Menzel stood before millions of football fans this year and sang the National Anthem at the Giants/Patriots Super Bowl Game.  The crowd was impressed and with good reason.  Menzel has a talent that is refreshing to the music world and her voice is powerful.  This solo record just adds yet another star-studded chapter to Menzel’s book of accomplishments.  Be sure to check out “I Stand” at the music store and if you loved her as the green witch, be sure to check out who fills the role of Elpheba now with your pair of Wicked tickets from Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on February 26, 2008 - Post a comment

Another Addition to the Wicked Crew

A new Elphaba will soon join the New York cast of “Wicked” this summer.  Kerry Ellis currently portrays the green witch in the London production, but will travel overseas to take up the green-tinged character in the Broadway production starting in June.  Ellis is known as the first British actress to play Elphaba and she hails from a long list of other notable productions including: Les Miserables, My Fair Lady and We Will Rock You.  She is also currently working on her debut solo recording, which is set to be released later this year.  For all of the London production fans out there, never fear, Ellis is still planning on returning to the London production and will most definitely step back into the skin of the not-so wicked “wicked witch.”

According to press notes, Wicked, “turned every Oz myth inside out and it explores the early life of the withes of Oz: Glinda and Elphaba.  The two main characters meet at Shiz, a school where both hope to take up sorcery.  Glinda is madly popular and Elphaba is, well green.  Their life paths continue to intersect through a shared love, entry into the Emerald City and interaction with the Wizard himself.  Eventually, their choices and convictions take them on widely different paths.  If you want to catch a glimpse of the extremely talented Ellis, be sure to purchase your Wicked tickets from Stubhub.com.

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

Thoughts on the Wicked Poster

By now I’m sure you Wicked fans have seen the famous poster for Wicked the Musical, the one that appears on most of the advertisements for the show, the one that you’ll find on the StubHub.com website as well. Take a look at it right here. Do you like the design? The Wicked blog is a huge fan, and here’s why:

The green witch has a devilish smile on her face, but we cannot see her eyes, which are hidden by her huge, wavy witch hat. Because we naturally think that witches are mean and ugly, we assume that underneath the brim of her hat is an evil set of eyes, but how can we tell? Her nose, which is clearly visible, is neither long, nor crooked, nor wart-ridden. The splash of red lipstick in the center of the print is where your eyes focus in a sea of black, green and white fields. It’s the prefect visual to promote a sense of mystery for the play.

We also like how the white witch, with her secretive whisper, is so much less interesting than the green, wicked witch. We don’t want to know what the white witch is saying, but we’d love to know what the green witch is thinking about whatever is being whispered. The white witch, whose eye is visible, but mouth is not, is less interesting. Her eyes give away no emotion, and we assume that whatever her mouth is doing is just as uninteresting.

To get Wicked tickets, go to StubHub.com.

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

Watch the Wicked Trailer on YouTube

Hear-ye! Hear-ye! Wicked blog readers: There is a trailer for the Broadway musical Wicked that you can watch on the ever-popular video website YouTube.com. If you were thinking about seeing Wicked in theater sometime this year, you can always get a sneak peek at YouTube, so you know what you’re getting into. Send it to your husband, who has been reluctant to get tickets. Send it to your Valentine as a hint for a good date idea. Or, just watch it and enjoy.

YouTube is great at giving sneak peeks at Wicked. There are all kinds of other short videos of the Wicked performers singing, witching and skipping along. Have fun, but don’t support piracy or bootleg copies of the performance. That makes me wonder- why would somebody what to get a bootleg copy of a play? Isn’t the whole appeal of the theater that you have to go there to see it? Otherwise, Wicked would be a movie…

To get Wicked tickets, go to StubHub.com.

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

Stirring Up the Pot…Er..Caldron

There seems to be no doubt in the minds of fans and critics alike that the musical “Wicked” is an international success.  I mean, who would have thought that the two witches from the “Wizard of Oz” could pretty much carry an entire production themselves?  Then again, with the enormous success of the “Harry Potter” books and movies, perhaps it is not so much of a surprise.  We are living in a world that is obsessed with fantasy, with magic wands and smoking pots, sneaky tricks and the concept of good versus evil.

It might be, in theory, a good time to be a witch…good or bad.  I mean with the economic state of our country hanging by a thread…it might be time to think of a new career choice.  Be sure to buy a decent pointed hat and practice your cackle.  You might think about investing in a few flying monkeys as well…it definitely couldn’t hurt.  But the question is: will you be painting your skin green to match the hues of Elphaba, or will you stick with the angelic white like Glinda.  Pick your poison my dear…and be sure to get your pair of Wicked tickets from Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on February 20, 2008 - Post a comment

Harriet Thorpe Joins London’s Wicked!

There are new Madame Morribles popping up all over the world and Harriet Thorpe is looking to be the most wicked of them all!  Thorpe is a West End veteran who recently wrapped up a run on the national tour of John Doyle’s “Sweeney Todd.”  She is scheduled to appear in “Wicked” come April where she will assume the character from Susie Blake, who wraps things up on April 12.  Thorpe is well known for appearing in many different TV series, such as: “The Brittas Empire” and “Absolutely Fabulous.”  She has lots of experience and London fans of the Wickedly wonderful production should look forward to seeing Thorpe step into the rotten shoes of Madame Morrible.

The production of “Wicked” has become an international phenomenon and theater fans from around the globe are vying to get tickets to this well-loved production.  If you love the “Wizard of Oz” but are looking for something different than just the same old story of Dorothy, ruby slippers and the yellow brick road, you will enjoy sneaking away for a night to see how everything started in the land of Oz following the storylines of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.  Be sure to gather all of your good friends and get several pairs of Wicked tickets from Stubhub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on February 19, 2008 - Post a comment

President’s Day Wicked Blog Spectacular!

Since today is President’s Day, the Wicked Blog is going to hit you with a spectacularly presidential blog. Here are the top five Wickedest Presidents of the United States:

WICKED BLOG’S TOP FIVE WICKEDEST U.S. PRESIDENTS

5. Herbert Hoover – Blamed for the Great Depression among other Wicked things
4. Andrew Jackson – Genocide is considered “wicked,” so yes, he’s in the top five
3. Andrew Johnson – The Reconstruction President wasn’t constructed with a Wizard-granted heart
2. Richard Nixon – He’ll melt when a bucket of Watergate is splashed on him
1. James Buchanan – So wicked only his mother could love him—the only president never to marry.

To get Wicked tickets, go to StubHub.com.

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


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