Wicked’s Main Character

For anyone who plays the lead role of Elphaba in Gregory Maguire’s hit Broadway musical Wicked, they always note it’s an honor. One such star is Marcie Dodd, the leading lady for Broadway’s national tour currently performing at the Century II Theater. “I love it,” she says backstage while getting green makeup piled on. “It’s an honor to be able to play a part like this.” There are many reasons why Dodd enjoys the character, but one in particular. “She kind of says, ‘it’s okay to be different.’” True to form, Elphaba is much different than the rest of the cast - Dodd must come to the set 30 minutes before everyone else to get a green transformation. The 30 minute adventure has a crew spreading the light green color all over her body, face hands and chest, and then puts on green tights that cover her legs and arms. The event is complete with a wig and pointed hat.

Though she has to make sure to stay dry so she doesn’t sweat and let the makeup run, it only takes about ten minutes to let the makeup run off her in the shower. Once out of her green, she says she isn’t like Elphaba at all. “I’m actually a pretty shy person. But every now and then somebody will catch a glimpse of green still on my ear.”

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

Wicked star Marcie Dodd plays the role of Elphaba

As many Wicked fans lined up to get into Century II for Wednesday night’s performance of Broadway’s “Wicked,” KAKE News went behind the scenes for an exclusive interview with Marcie Dodd. Dodd is the performance’s leading  lady, playing the role of Elphaba, better know as the Wicked Witch of the West. Dodd told KAKE News that “It’s an honor to be able to play a part like this.” The actress arrives before any of her co-stars to prepare for the role of Elphaba. She has to wear green make and tights. The costume includes a wig and a pointed hat, which completes the head-to-toe transformation.

At one point in the show, Dodd has to wear a sequin-studded dress that weighs about 40 pounds. The actress said the makeup doesn’t bother her, but she has to stay cool and avoid sweating because the makeup will run. Dodd stated that after 10 minutes in the shower, the makeup finally comes off. When the actress is out of makeup and looking like her old self, very few fans recognize her. “I’m actually a pretty shy person,” she said. “But every now and then somebody will catch a glimpse of green still on my ear.”

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

Wicked’s Australian Performance Reaches 500

Last night with a big soiree, Australia’s Wicked celebrated 500 performances. The show, which opened at Melbourne’s Regent Theater in July 2008, has played in Australia for 13 months and broke the record last night - celebrating the big numbers with a bash and cake. The theater has taken in over $2.3 million in advance bookings for the night it first opened in February 2008 and broke down the box office records for all Melbourne theaters during the one day sale with $1.5 million tickets sold.

The show opened at Sydney’s Capitol Theater in September 2009 and has continuously broken more records - re-creating all box office records for a musical at Capitol with a $1,473,7750 gross in one week. Since first opening in Australia the show has welcomed over 750,000 guests and been presented with six Helpmann Awards, including Best Musical. Co-producer John Frost said “Australian audiences have fallen under the magical spell of Wicked. This show is a phenomenon, quite unlike any other musical, and appeals to people of all ages. I know that many people who have never before been to the theater have come along and loved it. And many ‘Wicked’ fans have come back time and time again to see the spectacle. I’d like to thank audiences for helping us reach the milestone of 500 performances, as well as everyone who has worked on the show over the past 15 months. Bookings are very strong in Sydney and we hope to be here for a long time.”

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

Behind the Emerald Curtain

Though Wicked has been in San Francisco for months, there is a new ticket in town for Wicked fans - ‘Behind the Emerald Curtain.’ Actors Jonathan Ritter and  Nicolas Dimand take ABC 7 News in San Francisco behind the stages, checking out the costumes and the hidden stage secrets, along with all the masks and more. The Saturday matinée tickets are available for the behind the scene adventures - so take a chance with Wicked tickets to the show that has been getting rave reviews around the world.

“You see the finished product, but meanwhile there are 125 people backstage running around each person doing their jobs,” Ritter says. Dimand chimes in with a little known secret as well: ”The wings of the dragon are made by a kite maker.” For each actor playing an animal role, they take the mask to your head, mold it and then send it to a makeup artists where more details are made, along with with the addition of a microphone.

It’s supposed to give people an appreciation of live theater during the Saturday performances, and fans of Wicked are sure to appreciate it. If you want to learn more, check out the Wicked website or get Wicked tickets from StubHub.

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

Wicked’s Wilson Native

For writers of “The Morning Call,” they had something to rejoice about this morning as Wilson Borough native Dee Roscioli has brought fame to their area thanks to her role as Elphaba in the Broadway show “Wicked.” The show has Roscioli painted from head to toe in a green makeup that the star has been donning since July when she premiered in the Broadway field. Graduating from Wilson Area High School in 1995, Roscioli has since carried on the role of Elphaba longer than any other actress, performing the lead for two years in Chicago before stepping out on Broadway. “It’s kind of unbelievable,” she says. “I used to listen to ‘Wicked’ in the subway on the way to my waitress job.” A former student at DeSales University in Center Valley, she continues: “I feel this role is a lot like me. She has a fiery nature, is very passionate and has a big heart.”

Roscioli first landed a role in a musical as Grizabella during the touring company of “Cats” in 2002; though her role was small, she sang the tune ”Memory.” “I was on stage for 17 1/2 minutes. I knitted a lot of scarves on that tour.” When the show ended she moved to New York and as a struggling actress got a job as a waiter. “I was auditioning and trying to stay positive. I was just trying to make ends meet.” Eventually she did.

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Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on October 26, 2009 - Post a comment

Wicked on Fox’s GLEE

It seems that even the Broadway favorite Wicked can’t escape the small screen as it sees an adaption in the unlikeliest of sorts - the new hit FOX television show starring Broadway favorite Lea Michele is featured singing the anthem “Defying Gravity” in a vocal spot for the series. According to Broadway World, Columbia Records and Twentieth Century Fox Television will be spontaneously releasing singles that are featured on GLEE on iTunes for purchase, like Young MC’s “Bust a Move,” Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” and Sisquo’s “Thong Song.” Other singles include  Rihanna’s “Take a Bow,” Carrie Underwood’s “Last Name,” Avril Lavinge’s “Keep Holding On,” Queen’s “Somebody to Love” and many more. So many, in fact, that the two company’s have petitioned to release a new album, “Glee: The Music, Volume I” heard on the series on Tuesday, November 3.

Now the Broadway sensation Wicked will be part of that series, as former “Spring Awakening” star sings the part played by Elphaba in the shows around the world - like New York, San Francisco, London, Tokyo, Stuttgart, Sydney and two North American tours. The show is based on Gregory Magure’s novel and has music and lyrics by the Tony Award winning Stephen Schwartz with a book by Winnie Holzman.

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

Wicked’s New Story

Gregory Maguire, the author of ‘Wicked,’ is selling his new book “THe Next Qeen of Heaven,” which comes out today, for a grand total of $0.00. The third title from the Concord Free Press, is giving away 2,500 copes of the book via its website and select independent bookstores to readers who agree to make a donation ‘to a local charity, someone who needs it, or a stranger on the street.’ The paperback’s back cover says this: ‘when you’re done, pass this novel on to someone else (for free, of course) so they can give. It adds up.” Already the press has announced that with its first two released, more than $85,000 donations have been made to various causes.

“The Next Queen of Heaven” is a farcical holiday set in 1999 in a made up Upstate New York town. As much success as Maguire COULD get when publishing his novels, it might seem a bit of a shock that he is publishing for free. “I admire that the books as well as the publishing model raise questions about art’s inherent value and the commodification of content,” he said. “I like knowing that this book is out  in the world, helping to generate donations for great causes.”

If you want to see another of his causes, get Wicked tickets from StubHub.

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

A Wicked Event in NY, SF

Wicked cast members, including Patty Due and Carmen Cusack will be joining forcing to lead local and national artists to a benefit concert for gay and lesbian civil rights on Monday at the Palace of Fine Arts Theater in San Francisco. Other performers scheduled to bear their name with the cause include “Defying Inequality: The San Francisco Concert,” a benefit for Marriage Equality USA and Garden State Equality with Bruce Vilanch, Emmy winner Judy Gold, Ryan Rigazzi, Matt Alber and cabaret duo Meg Mackay and Billy Philadelphia, all people of the stage.

The raffle for the event with include prizes from Adagia Restaurant, The Bancroft Hotel, Berkeley Repertory Theater, Buck’s Restaurant, Camino, Ciao Bella Gelato, Colibri, Edin Espinoza, First Crush Restaurant, Wine Bar and Lounge, Golden voice San Francisco, MAC Cosmetics, Poem Cellars Wine, Seahorse Cafe, Supperclub San Francisco, Zazil Coastal Mexican Cuisine and more. Sponsorship including packages from $10,000 to $100. An honorary committee includes Patty Duke, Geoff Callan, Carol Channing, Margaret Cho, Jose Cisneros, Bruce Cohen, Valerie Harper, Florence Henderson, Anne Herrera, Dennis Herrera, Winnie Holzman, Mark Leno, Joey McIntrye, Carole Migden, Rita Moreno, Jackie & Howard Nemerovski, Thomas Roberts, Lily Tomlin and Vanessa Williams.

If you want to see more and participate in this event, get Wicked tickets from StubHub.

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

Wicked Halloweenin London!

San Francisco and New York aren’t the only cities celebrating a Wicked Halloween this year - recently added to the fun is the musical Wicked at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre, celebrating its forth annual Wicked Day in the Lawrence Hall at the Royal Horticultural Halls on Sunday, November 1st beginning at noon and ending around 6pm. Members of the Wicked cast will be performing and hosting a bunch of Wicked/ Halloween tehmed free events like competitions, performances, face painting, fancy dressing, workshops and a plethora of other activities that is fun for the whole family.

The day before, also known as Halloween, Wicked and Halloween themed events will be happening at the Westfield London from noon until about 5pm with similar activities that are fun for kids to parents - like face painting, competitions, performances by some of the Wicked cast, prizes for best Halloween costumes, and a Wicked Cackle Halloween World Record attempt, led by the members of the cast. Proceeds will benefit the project between Wicked and Magic 105.3’s charity Cash for Kids to built a community garden in the area’s of London that need it the most. Visit the Wicked website and learn more at www.WickedDay.co.uk.

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

Wicked Tops Ticket Sales in Des Moines

The Broadway musical “Wicked” doesn’t just set records in big cities like London’s West End, but even in smaller cities throughout the United States. Take the week box office record that was just made in the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, a record breaking set that even topped The Lion King of 2006. The show closed out their four week run on Sunday with total attendance of 84,000 and sold out performances everywhere, overall attendance topping out at 97 percent capacity. The best sales week for the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines and Wicked in general was its last where sales topped at $1.5 million, more than $300,000 than the best week on The Lion King run. That means that the total number of participants included more than $5.7 million for its gross; while The Lion King topped out at $6.6 million, it ran for two more weeks.

The biggest impact the show had on the area was its community impact, as $17.3 million were pumped into the area via restaurants and more. “Restaurants downtown have been really happy,” said Convention and Visitors Bureau chief Greg Edwards. Hotels in the area also got a bump, among other areas of tourism.

If you want to see the show today, get Wicked tickets from StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on October 19, 2009 - Post a comment


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