Wicked’s Scene in Melbourne
Even after 13 months on stage in Melbourne, audiences are still wooed by the performances of Wicked that keep fans from all over the world captivated until the very end. The Wicked Witch, or Elphaba, is played by helpmann best supporting actor Amanda Harrison, and opposite her is Lucy Durack as Glinda, the Good Witch. The two play off each other well, as they characterize the two witches most well known in the post-story, The Wizard of Oz. The magical stage is also set well with supporting cast of television veteran Bert Newton as the Wizard and former “Australian Idol” ROb ‘Millsy” mills as Fiyero. The real star of the show remains the costumes, as it does every show. Designed by Tony Award winniner Susan Hilferty that includes 70 wigs each costing $2,500 each, as well as eight costume changes for some characters and several tons of equipement that goes along with every tour - 54 scenes and locations. The show has remained a popular treat as fans around the world can relate to its story line and its summer fling like songs, including “Defying Gravity,” “Popular” and more. So if you want to take part in this magical musical that has been appealing to audiences for years and just keeps on going, get some Wicked tickets today.
Wicked’s Beloved Wizard
Bert Newton is a well known veteran actor. At 71, the television and theatre star likes to keep things fresh with a young audience and a young cast - which, he says, is exactly what “Wicked” has been doing to liven his spirits. The veteran actor doesn’t plan on leaving the spotlight any time soon, and enjoying the average age of 20 while on tour with Wicked, which hits Sydney on Saturday after 13 months in Melbourne. “It’s the oungest company that I’ve worked with,” Newton told AAP on Thursday at The Capitol Theatre.”The average age of the ensemble is early or mid 20s. It’s only (co-star) Maggie (Kirkpatrick) and myself that lift up the aggregate slightly. I find that terrific. I find it very invigorating. I love being around young people.”He just signed a three year contract with the Nine Network where he hosts the show “20 to 1.” “Life at the moment, I wouldn’t change anything,” he continues.
Performing the role of the Wizard since November, he took over the spot from fellow actor, friend and recently passed Rob Guest, who died of a stroke in October. “It was a very hard time for them. I don’t know how they pulled themselves together,” he says regarding the acceptance of the cast once he came to stage. The show, as Newton knows, must go on - as Wicked tickets continue to sell well today!
Wicked Extends Productions
Wicked is returning to the Seattle Paramount Theatre this year following its previous two week stint in the rainy city just last year. For those fans of the Broadway show who were either able to catch the spectacle last year (or any other) or not, this adventure is likely to be one of your favorites and worth the effort in putting together Wicked tickets today! This production sees Lenny Wolpe as the Wizard with Richard H. Blake as Fiyero (Warner in “Legally Blonde”), Chandra Lee Schwartz as Glinda and DOnna Vivino as Elphaba. The show runs through October 4th.
In other Wicked news, the show has already a heavy cult status in the United States but now it is demanding the same kind of respect in other arenas, including London. The show’s West End production recently announced that it is expanding its booking period for another six months. The show has been performing since it opened in London on September 27, 2006 (recently celebrating its 1000th performance), and will now play in the West End through October 30, 2010. The show will be playing at the Apollo Victoria Theatre through the fall.
If you want to see either productions, there will be many opportunities to do so - so get your Wicked tickets today.
Wickedly Wonderful in Nashville!
Thanks in part to a strong and successful book by Winnie Holzman and stunningly beautiful music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, Wicked is turning out to be simply bewitching. The touring production is making a three-week stop at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, with Marcie Dodd and Elphaba and Helene Yorke as Glinda. The story of Wicked builds on the relationship of these two witches of Oz and how their relationship evolves and dissolves over the years. The story also makes us question our own views on good and evil, making it one of the more popular shows on Broadway as well as around the nation.
For those in the Nashville area, get ready for a simply bewitching time at this production of Wicked. And for all fans, be sure to check out Stubhub to see where the show is going next. Stubhub is the best place to find theater tickets, so what are you waiting for? Reserve your spot today at the performance with your own pair of Wicked tickets!
‘Wicked’ Success in London
Wicked tickets have been extended in London as they are now on sale to October 30, 2010 at the Apollo Victoria Theatere. The production recently celebrated the 1000th performance during Valentine’s Day this past yeear (February 14th, 2009) and welcomed its two millionth theatregoer May 11, 2009, grossing more than £80 million at the UK Box Office. Michael McCabe, the executive producer, said “As Wicked enters its fourth year in the West End our business continues to climb. As we are already 7% up on last year, we fully expect 2009 to be our highest grossing year to date. It’s a remarkable achievement, especially in this financial climate, and we are all greatly indebted to the cast, company, orchestra and crew who work so brilliantly and tirelessly to deliver audiences such a superb experience every night.” Wicked first opened at the Apollo September 27, 2006 to praise from critics and fans. The current cast until March 27, 2010 includes Alexia Khadime as Elphaba, Oliver Tompsett as Fiyero, Harriet Thorpe as Madam Morrible, Sam Kelly as The Wizard, Dianne Pilkington as Glinda, Natalie Anderson as Nessarose, Alex Jessop as Boq and David Stoller as Doctor Dillamond. If you want to see the show here in the States, tickets see just as well so get your hands on some quickly today!
TPAC’s Wicked Arrival is Finally Here
Wicked is currently performing at TPAC, as it continues to prepare for the big arrival of Wicked for its three week run. The show has managed to keep enforcing strict guidelines on media privileges as they theatre announced a day of performance of lottery Wicked tickets for a limited number of orchestra seats, available for cash only at $25 for winners. The shows began yesterday and will continue through September 20th.
TPAC (Tennessee Performing Arts Center) is located in the James K. Polk Cultural Center at 505 Deaderick Street in Nashville; an entire city block between 5th and 6th Avenues and Deaderick and Union Streets, the building houses the Tennessee State Museum and the 18 story James K. Polk Office Tower. The venues include Andrew Jackson Hall, seating 2,472, James K. Polk Theater, with 1,075, Andrew Johnson Theater, with 256, and War Memorial Auditorium at 1,1661. The theatre shows serious Broadway shows and special engagements. TPAC’s Mission Statement:
| The mission of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center is to provide facilities, services and programs of the highest quality for the greatest benefit of the people, institutions and communities of the state, and to take a leadership role in fostering the performing arts, arts education, resident arts groups and other arts organizations. |
Wicked Venturing to Nashville
Former Wicked star Julie Reiber, who played the green witch Elphaba in the Broadway performance, is taking on a new role this season as a solo act at New World Stages next month. The actress will present her cabaret acts, “Colors of the Rainbow,” on October 4th reports PlayBill.com, and will feature of mix of pop and Broadway tunes along with “In the Heights’” Zach Dietz. The show times are 12:30pm, 2pm and 3:30. Reiber has been performing on stages for years, with shows that include Wicked, Brookyn and All Shook UP, as well as the tours for Rent, Brooklyn and Jekyll & Hyde.
Wicked premiers today in Nashville and the tons of thousands of punds of trucks, costumes, performers and more are all unpacking and gearing up for a show its fans will never forget. More than a dozen semi-trucks hauled into the arena, filled with lights, props and 5,000 costumes as the crew set up the stage for its nearly three week run, beginning tonight at T-PAC. ”It’s great to be in Nashville. This is a city that we look forward to coming to - touring. There’s lots of music and good food. It’s a great city. We’re all downtown here. You can walk around. There are things to do. It’s a great city,” said “Wicked” head carpenter Justin Klynsma. If you want to be part of the event, get those Wicked tickets today.
Sin City Residents - Head to SF for a Real Treat
For Las Vegas residents, the Strip is always filled with extraordinary shows, imaginations and wild audiences - which makes it a strange occurance that Wicked hasn’t, nor probably will never, hit the Las Vegas Striop. So the closest any fan can come to seeing and enjoying the show is San Francisco, its current and first home, but it is worth the trip. The Orpheum Theatre is showing the Broadway production and three time Tony Award winning feature throughout the month with Wicked ticket prices the highest at $99 (prices that any Las Vegas show worth seeing begin at) and flight time that requires less effort than the show’s time.
The story is easily approacable, as families around the world are familiar with ‘The Wizard of Oz’ made famous by Judy Garland. The story follows the witches that first meet Dorothy on her trip home, as characters Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West are paired up during witching boarding school. The script is written by Winnie Holzman, author and creator of the television series “My So Called Life,” and devliers wit and entertainment that delves far beyond just the standard political assumptions. So make sure that you enjoy this adventure and make a weekend trip out of it, for those stuck in Sin City.
Wicked Hitting the TPAC
Tennessee’s Performing Arts Center is beginning its 2009-2010 Broadway season with “Wicked.” The show, no matter what city its in or getting ready to hit, finds fans with serious enthusiasm. In Nashville, travelers were easy to spot Thom Widmanns’ emerald toned luggage tags. ”In airports, getting in the taxi, it’s always ‘Have you seen it?’ ‘Are you in it?’ Everyone wants to start the conversation,” says Widmann, the international show’s New York-based production supervisor. No matter whether the party questioning him has seen it or not, there is some serious excitement with everything they ask. ”There’s this anticipation,” he says. “A very high bar has been set. And it’s been very fun to be a part of that.” Now the show hits Nashville’s Tennesse Performing Arts Center until Wednesday, September 20th and is taking over the city - with 14 trucks of rigging, scenery, costumes and more, a complete cast of 33, a crew of 18, a band of 6, a physical therapist, three stage managers and local professionals. ”We still have to pinch ourselves, how happy we are that Wicked is coming,” says Kathleen O’Brien, TPAC’s president and CEO. “We’re not immune to that, either.” The show is bound to be a hit when it comes to the stage this week, so don’t miss it with Wicked tickets today.
Wicked’s Fame Still Burning
As popular as Wicked is today, the show wasn’t as astounding from the start as playwrites, producers and actors made it out to be. When it first did previews in San Francisco, the reviews mixed. When it moved to New York, the reveiws didn’t change, even with actor changes and set design. For The New York Times’ Ben Brantley, the story carried some weight with its key players, Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda and Idina Mezel as Elphaba (the latter who won a Tony Award), but he also said that if it weren’t for its stars, Wicked would be ‘a bloated production that might otherwise spend close to three hours flapping its oversized wings without taking off.’
But before any other reviewers could say anything else, the fans got a hold of the show and overwhelmed those professional reviews with some of their own. It became an audiences’ show, as tour would eventually open up in Tokyo, London, Melbourne, Australia, Stuttgart, Germany and other US cities to break box office records, pick up a total of three Tony Awards and show off some of today’s brightest stars. So the story became popular, just like Glinda sings to Elphaba in the story, and Wicked tickets continued to sell out to crowds across the country and world. See for yourself what all the fuss is about.
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