Wicked’s Composer Develops Opera

“No, there ain’t no rest for the Wicked” (as the song by Cage the Elephant goes), and so does the Broadway musical as it springs into action this Wednesday at the San Diego Civic Theatre. Running through August 30th, the the show has been to this Southern California stage before, breaking box office records when it sold out premiere performances back in 2006. The San Diego Civic Theatre is located at 1100 Third Avenue.

In more recent news, “Wicked’s” composer Stephen Schwartz has recently developed an opera, finding a world premiere in Southern California. The opera, called Seance on a Wet Afternoon, is based on Mark McShane novel with screenplay by Bryan Forbes. “I have always loved, listend to, and attended opera,” says Schwartz about the ‘psychological thriller about a medium, her husband and the spirit of their deceased 11 year old son. “When I discovered this riveting story,” he continues, via the website, “I knew it demanded the kind of atmospheric moodniness that my music can provide. The two main characters are psychologically complex and compelling, with passionate needs and emotions. I am stretching the thematic and motific composition of my more recent musical theatre writing to create this dynamic new opera.”

See the magic of Schwartz with his older work, via Wicked tickets today!

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on July 31, 2009 - Post a comment

Wicked’s Magic Keeps it Full Price

For those of us still suffering from the economic downturn but are still able to manage a theater ticket here and there, the one place to hit up when in the Big Apple is the TKTS booth - known for its reduced price seating for the day- of Broadway shows. The booth in the theater district is a newly refurbished length red statue that grabs crowds in Duffy Square. Without the lines, it’s worth the trip if you’re pressed for money and time but are in the city hoping to catch an infamous Broadway play. Victoria Bailey, the executive director of the Theater Development Fund, the nonprofit performing arts service organization that operates these mecca’s of theater fun both in South Street Seaport and downtown Brooklyn, answerse some of the best questions one could ask (via NY Times).

When’s the best time of day to get tickets? When and where?

“The booths open at different times depending on the day of the week. The best time to go to the Times Square booth, in terms of evening performances — if you want the shortest wait — is probably 5:30 or 6 p.m. Really anytime after 5:30 there’s never a line. Most people get there when we open so the lines are longest then. That’s also when we tend to have the most shows available. There’s also a play-only line at the Times Square booth. There are hardly any lines for that.”

Some shows are never avaliable, like ‘Wicked,’ and ‘Jesey Boys’, why?

“They can sell all their tickets at full price, or as many of them as they feel they need to. When the time comes and the market slows down for them, they will come to us. We’re always there in the waning days of a show’s life, which because of the booth can go on for years.”

If you want to catch these Broadway tickets or hear more about the booth/ interview, check out Wicked tickets today!

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on July 30, 2009 - Post a comment

Helpmann Honors Guest and Wicked

Rob Guest was awarded post humuously as he picked up the award for best male supporting actor in a musical at the Helpmann Awards. The award was received by Guest’s partner Kellie Dickerson, who took the award for the original Wizard of Oz in “Wicked” while Dickerson announced that the Rob Guest Endowment for young musical performers had been launched. “Rob would have been thrilled to accept this award,” Dickerson said. “I have never seen anyone so happy to be on stage. He loved performing live theater.” Rob, who passed away at 57, was Oz for three month’s at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre before passing away after a stroke in October last year.

Wicked’s musical director put together a piece for the lengthy show as memebers performed a song from the show. Wicked’s cast and costumes will return to Melbourne for one more week before moving to Syndney. The musical dominated the awards show, as it picked up awards for costume design, scenic design, choreography, direction and best musical. The Helpmann Awards were established in 2001 and describe the pinnacle awards for the industry.

If you want to be part of this award winning show in Australia or around the globe, check out Wicked tickets today!

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on July 29, 2009 - Post a comment

Teen Queens Love the Green

Garnering sparkly green tees and ruby slippers, Wicked fans are almost as enthusiastic as Jonas Brothers ones. “Tweeting” about their experiences after taking part in Gregory Maguire’s stage adaption of his prequel to ‘Wizard of Oz,’ Wicked fans have been making this musical a favorite since the year of its premiere, four years ago. As the recepient of 20 major awards, including three Tonys, a Grammy and three Drama Desk Awards, the story is something that appeals to all ages. For those in their teens that are constantly connected to their phones, they related to the story in which it is based - a classic film starring Judy Garland. For their parents, ‘Wicked’ reminds them of such adversaries life proposes they overcome through challenges and independence.

Returning to San Diego this year with Broadway San Diego, teens everywhere are rejoicing. “I though it was amazing,” says twelve year old Maddy Urie who first saw the show in London, “by far the best show I’ve ever seen.” Another, twelve year old Emily Mittleman from Del Cerro, says “I love it a lot. It’s one of my top favorite and for me, worth seeing over and over.”

If you want to be part of this latest teen sensation that is sweeping the nation, get those Wicked tickets today.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on July 28, 2009 - Post a comment

More Wicked Wins

Though it’s been running for years, Wicked tickets still sell out - yet another example is the July shows that ran at Tempe’s Gammage (closing the 26th). Selling aout at Broadway’s Gershwin Theater with over a million dollars in ticket sales as a whole, the company had to paste a permanent “Sold Out” sign outside the theater as tickets sold so quickly. And London’s West End, the national tour visiting Tempe, have continued to triple the ticket sales as merchandise tables, acast album recordings and more (many new editions celebrating its 5th anniversary) are keeping the musical in good company. If you want to be part of this award winning action, see the show today!

At the 2009 Helpmann Awards, which were held this year at the Syney Opera House and hosted by Jonathan Biggins and Julia Zemiro, named Rob Guest, the late stage actor who played the original character of The Wizard of Oz in “Wicked” as best male actor in a supporting role. The musical vet passed away in October at 58 after suffering a massive stroke. The award to the late actor wasn’t the only award the musical prequel to “The Wizard of Oz” picked up, also receiving five others including the coveted Best Musical Award.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on July 27, 2009 - Post a comment

Lost – Another Wicked Book By Gregory Maguire

Before it was a hit Broadway musical, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West was a popular fictional book by author Gregory Maguire. G-Mag wrote other stories about the world of the Wizard of Oz in a kind of fan fiction style. Because of the popularity of the show, these books have sold well and you can usually find them in your average bookstore.

Besides the Wizard of Oz books, Maguire also wrote fantasy stories and children’s literature. One of his most well-received novels has been Lost, a story that involves Jack the Ripper, Charles Dickens and spirits of the undead. Check it out if you like what Maguire has written. Here are a couple of gleaming reviews of the novel from the Greg Maguire website:

“Gregory Maguire is a delightful storyteller with an absolutely unique imagination. Lost seems to me to be his best novel yet, which is saying something. A reader who hasn’t discovered his work is in for a treat and a revelation. I wish I thought like Gregory Maguire.”

-Peter S. Beagle, author of Tamsin and A Dance for Emilia

“[A] deftly written, compulsively readable modern-day ghost story that easily elicits suspension of disbelief….Maguire’s prose is both jaunty and scary; he knows how to mix spooky ingredients with contemporary situations….[R]eaders will be hooked.”

-Publishers Weekly

To get Wicked tickets, go to StubHub.com.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on July 24, 2009 - Post a comment

Wicked in the Park

“Wicked” and “Next to Normal” have switched spots for their performance schedules in “Broadway in Bryant Park” series lineup, reports PlayBill. Presented by New York radio station 106.7 Lite FM the midday events that are free perform shows from Broadway and Off- Broadway. The series launched July 9th at the midtown venue and continues through August 13th. Wicked tickets are now available for the shows on the week of July 23, while Next to Normal will play August 6th.

July 23: Mary Poppins, Rock of Ages, Vanities, Wicked

July 30: Chicago, Naked Boys Singing!, Jersey Boys, Shrek

Aug. 6: Next to Normal, Burn the Floor, The Lion King, The Marvelous Wonderettes

Aug. 13: Billy Elliot, South Pacific, Mamma Mia!, Altar Boyz; special guest John Stamos (upcoming Bye Bye Birdie star)

Bryant Park is behind the New York Public Library on sixth avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets. Seating is first come, first serve basis. If you want to check out the reports from last year or from earlier performances from this years performances, check out the radio’s website as The Little Mermaid, 9 to 5 and more have already been a hit on the grassy knolls in The City and will continue to see serious crowds through the summer months!

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on July 23, 2009 - Post a comment

Wicked’s New Elphaba

Ms. Dee Roscioli has assumed the role of Elphaba in the Broadway version of Wicked - she started yesterday, taking over the role for Nicole Parker. Though this is Dee’s Broadway debut, she is well familiar with the green faced ‘villian’ of the musical as she has performed Elphaba for Chicago audiences for the final two years of the production. She has been a Wicked cast member for a total of three years now, while also performing in the national tour of “Cats” as Grizabella and in the NYSF Workshops of ‘Dangerous Beauty’ and ‘Behind the Limelight.’ The current Broadway show now features Dee Roscioli (Elphaba), Alli Mauzey (Glinda), P.J. Benjamin (The Wizard), Rondi Reed (Madame Morrible), Kevern Kern (Fiyero), Cristy Candler (Nessarose), Timothy Britten Parker (Doctor Dillamond) and Alex Brightman (Boq).

In its sixth year on Broadway, the show first opened at the Gershwin Theatre on October 30, 2003 after previews from earlier that month. It is currently booked until March 28, 2010. The musical is directed by JOe Mantello with choreography by James Lynn Abbott, scene design by Eugene Lee, costumes by Susan Hilferty, lighting by Kenneth Posner and sound by Tony Meola. The music and lyrics were done b Stephen Schwartz with a book by Winnie Holzman.

Get your Wicked tickets today.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on July 22, 2009 - Post a comment

Wicked in SF

“Remember the last time an original Broadway musical made you laugh, cry and think in the right places and for the right reasons? WICKED is the most complete and completely satisfying new musical in a long time.”. -USA Today

“San Francisco audiences and critics alike feel a special connection with the smash hit musical WICKED and its history in the city by the bay. WICKED had its world premiere at San Francisco’s Curran Theatre on May 28, 2003. This opening followed a long development process during which the entire creative team and cast immersed themselves in the brand new material at the Curran theatre to launch a spectacular phenomenon that has since redefined theatrical pop culture. WICKED returned to San Francisco in the summer of 2005, where it played an unprecedented 6-week limited run selling out every seat for every single performance.

Since having its official Broadway opening at the Gershwin Theatre on October 30, 2003, WICKED has been sold out at virtually every performance, breaking house records with box office receipts of over $1.4 million per week. It has been called “Broadway’s biggest blockbuster” by the New York Times and “a cultural phenomenon” by Variety.. The Washington Post said WICKED is, “a breathtaking success story, of a magnitude the theater has not witnessed since the peak years of The Phantom of the Opera.”

Get Wicked Tickets today

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on July 21, 2009 - Post a comment

Wicked on Tulsa’s Stage

For Tulsa residents, the musical playing at the PAC’s Champan Music Hall is anything but normal - which is why it has become such a commodity. The story is “Wicked,” based on Gregory Maguire’s fictional prequel novel that is based on the world originally created by L. Frank Baun in 1990 and made into a film in 1939 starring Judy Garland. For those of you unaware of the storyline behind “Wicked,” get yourself out from under that rock, as it has been traveling the country (and world) for nearly a decade as not only Broadway has embraced the story but so has Australia, the UK and more. The 32 performance show opened Wednesday in Tulsa at th Tulsa Performing Arts Center and will continue through August 9th. Unlike most Broadway musicals, this one (like the story itself) is unlike anything you’ve ever seen - and truly focuses on the story. Rather than impress audience members with its ravishing costumes, lights, bedazzle, etc and more along with stage magic that would equally go along with the story, the stage is set with amazing actors and a talented crew to keep things running smoothly and simply.

Get your Wicked tickets today!

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on July 20, 2009 - Post a comment


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