First North American tour of Wicked is currently in Denver, CO. PJ Benjamin will join the tour of Wicked in the role of The Wizard on Tuesday, May 8, while Nicole Parker will take over the lead role of Elphaba on Friday, May 18 during the tour’s stop a the Buell Theatre in Denver, Colorado.

They join a cast that features Alli Mauzey (Glinda), Liz McCartney (Madame Morrible), Justin Brill (Boq), Emily Ferranti (Nessarose), Andy Kelso (Fiyero), Paul Slade Smith (Dr. Dillamond) and Carla Stickler (Standby for Elphaba).

The company also includes Lauren Boyd, Antonette Cohen, Rick Desloge, Luis Augusto Figueroa, Timothy A. Fitz-Gerald, Dominic Giudici, Napoleon W. Gladney, Brenda Hamilton, Courtney Iventosch, Spencer Jones, Trevor Ryan Krahl, Renee Lawless-Orsini, Philip Dean Lightstone, Marissa Lupp, Michael Mahany, Kevin McMahon, Ashley Dawn Mortensen, Cassie Okenka, Christopher Russo, Adea Michelle Sessoms, Sarah Schenkkan, Pamela Shandrow, Shanna VanDerwerker, Nicky Venditti and Mikey Winslow.

Benjamin has played the Wizard on Broadway for five years, with other Main Stem credits including Torch Song Trilogy, Sophisticated Ladies, Pippin, Charlie and Algernon, Sarava, The Pajama Game, The Wind in the Willows, and Damn Yankees.

Parker has played her role on Broadway, with other Broadway credits including The People in The Picture and Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me. She may be best known for her work on MADtv.

With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman, Wicked is based on the 1995 best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire, and tells the untold story of the witches of Oz. The musical is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello and features musical staging by Tony Award winner Wayne Cilento.

Read the complete news {Via TheaterMania.com}

Wicked Tour will close at The Buell Theatre on May 20, 2012. From here it will move to Sacramento, California for the performances at California Musical Theatre start on May 23 and continue through June 17, 2012.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Saw Wicked on Broadway, a matinee showing on April 29, right after she returned to NYC from her quick trip to Washington, D.C. Kim Kardashian was spotted holding hands with her new love, Kanye West, in New York City heading to watch the Wicked Musical at Gershwin Theater.

Kim, 31, and Kanye, 34, walked hand-in-hand into the Gershwin Theater in New York to see a 3 p.m. showing of the hit Broadway musical, Wicked on April 29.

Here is the Photo Gallery of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West out in New York City:

Kim Kardashian with Kanye West

Kim Kardashian with Kanye West to see Wicked

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Wicked second national tour is flying to Durham, NC. Wicked lands Wednesday May 02, 2012 and stays until Sunday May 27, 2012 at the Durham Performing Arts Center.

Tiffany Haas as Glinda and Christine Dwyer as Elphaba are the main cast of Wicked in Durham, NC. Dwyer has already played the “Wicked” witch as an understudy.

In a phone interview with The Herald-Sun, producer David Stone said new cast members are really good at making the roles their own. They have to sing certain songs, say certain words and follow precise staging, he said, “but within that, we encourage them to have their own take. They’re not cookie cutter roles.”

Stone makes sure to see each company’s performance. He’s in New York City so he sees those shows more often, but also goes to London and the tours three or four times a year. He saw this cast in Fort Myers, Fla. Like audiences, Stone gets something different out of each performance. Initially, he connected to the friendship between Glinda and Elphaba, and on stage, was delighted by the lighting and production.

“It’s Oz turned on its head,” Stone said. Other times he notices the political aspect more.

“Audiences come more than once because they see new things in it,” he said, beyond new actors. “They see different sides of the story,” he said, like friendship, wizard back story, politics and judging people. There are so many things in “Wicked,” he said, the experience is different depending on the day someone sees it. “I think it’s rich,” Stone said.

The producer, too, has favorite lyrics from the musical, in particular from “For Good,” the witches’ duet about changing for the better and for good.

“It’s not complicatedly written, but a profound idea,” Stone said.

Whether audiences are returning to “Wicked” or seeing it for the first time, the musical no longer needs an introduction. They dropped the line about “So much happened before Dorothy dropped in.”

Read the complete story {Via HeraldSun.com}

Wicked musical will have day-of-performance lotteries for a limited number of orchestra seats. Two and a half hours before curtain, people who bring their photo ID to the DPAC Ticket Center will have their names placed in a lottery drum; 30 minutes later, names will be drawn for orchestra seats at $25 each, cash only. Two-ticket limit.

Wicked musical four-week premiere engagement at Durham Performing Arts Center closes on May 27, 2012. Buy Wicked Durham NC Tickets Get $10 OFF on Orders of $350 or more by using code #SpringSavings at Checkout.

Western Michigan University’s Miller Auditorium has announced its 2012-13 PNC Broadway in West Michigan Series lineup. Wicked Miller Auditorium performances start on April 24 and continue through May 5, 2013.

During the visit in 2010, Wicked Musical broke box office records and sold out in record time. The same flow of tickets to this show is expected next year as well in Kalamazoo, MI.

Long before that girl from Kansas was dropped into Munchkinland, two girls meet in the land of Oz. One, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and popular. How these two grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good makes for what USA Today called “the most complete–and completely satisfying–new musical in a long time.” Winner of 35 major awards, including a Grammy and three Tony Awards, “Wicked” has been shattering box-office records around the globe.

Wicked musical two-week premiere engagement at Miller Auditorium closes on May 5, 2013. Buy Wicked Kalamazoo MI Tickets Get $10 OFF on Orders of $350 or more by using code #SpringSavings at Checkout.

The blockbuster Broadway musical ‘Wicked’ has shattered all previous box office records, has brought in more than $1.1 million in first week sales since opening April 18 in North Charleston Performing Arts Center. More than 14,000 people have seen the show so far, according to the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. The show is part of the center’s Best of Broadway series.

“As expected, the ticket sales for “Wicked’s” first week at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center were phenomenal,” said Dave Holscher, General Manager of the North Charleston Performing Arts Center in a statement. “Already more fans have seen “Wicked” than any other touring Broadway show to ever play the Lowcountry.”

Good seats are still available for Wicked North Charleston SC shows through April 29. A day-of-performance lottery for a limited number of orchestra seats will be held. People are asked to arrive 2½ hours before showtime to enter their names into the lottery. After 30 minutes, a limited number of orchestra seats will be sold for $25.

Wicked musical two-week premiere engagement at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center closes on April 29, 2012. Buy Wicked North Charleston SC Tickets, Get $10 OFF on Orders of $350 or more by using code #SpringSavings at Checkout.

Wicked will return to Orlando, Florida in 2013. Wicked musical tour last visited Orlando in February of 2011. The hit Broadway show Wicked will return to Orlando in February of 2013. The touring version of the musical, the 12th longest-running show in Broadway history — will perform at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre from February 20 to March 10, 2013.

The main cast will be Anne Brummel to play Elphaba and Tiffany Haas will play Glinda. Fanboys and fangirls, no need to start camping out for tickets: They aren’t on sale yet, and the date they will be hasn’t been announced.

“Wicked,” based on the book by Gregory Maguire, is a prequel to the familiar story of “The Wizard of Oz.” It explains how young Galinda become Glinda the Good Witch, and Elphaba became more widely known as the Wicked Witch of the West. Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the land of Oz. One – born with emerald green skin – is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. Wicked tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.

The Broadway production was nominated for 10 Tony awards in 2004, and won three: Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design and Best Actress in a Musical for Idina Menzel, who played Elphaba.

Book Wicked Tickets in advance for good seats at best prices. Wicked will play at Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre through March 10, 2013. Buy Wicked Orlando FL Tickets. Get $10 OFF on Wicked Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre Ticket Orders of $350 or more by using code #SpringSavings at Checkout.

West End musical Wicked has picked up three prizes at the inaugural Mousetraps, a new set of awards voted for by young people.
A scene from Wicked, which has won three prizes at the new Mousetrap awards

Wicked Musical show won for best ensemble and show I would most recommend to a friend, while its home the Apollo Victoria also won the most welcoming venue award.

The awards were organised by Mousetrap Theatre Projects, a charity that helps disadvantaged young people attend theatre in the West End. More than 350 young people aged between 15 and 23 voted for the winners.

The winners details:

Most welcoming venue – Apollo Victoria

Show I would most recommend to a friend – Wicked

Best score – Les Miserables

Outstanding performance – Sheridan Smith for Legally Blonde

Sexiest Cast – Chicago

Best play – War Horse

Show that shouldn’t have closed – Spring Awakening

Best stage design – The Lion King

Best Ensemble – Wicked

Best Musical – Les Miserables

News {Via TheStage.co.uk}

Wicked is currently performing on tour in Denver, CO and continue through Sunday May 20, 2012. One of the Wicked Cast is a Colorado native and happy to be back home. Andy Kelso plays Fiyero, one of the lead male characters in the musical. He is a graduate of Eaglecrest High School in Aurora and also attended CSU and UNC.

Kelso spoke to 9NEWS at noon about coming back to his home state:

Wicked Musical Tour will stop in Denver CO through Sunday, May 20. Get $10 OFF on Wicked Temple Buell Theatre Ticket Orders of $350 or more by using code #SpringSavings at Checkout.

Wicked is currently performing on tour in North Charleston, SC at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center is a magical experience. Anne Brummel stars as Elphaba and Tiffany Haas is Glinda in the touring production of “Wicked.”

Anne Brummel as Elphaba and Tiffany Haas as Glinda

Elphaba Cast Anne Brummel in Wicked

Wicked flown into the North Charleston Performing Arts Center for a nearly two-week engagement from April 18 to April 29, 2012.

Here is the review by Laura J. Gough @ The Post and Courier:

The PAC has been transformed into the magical land of Oz, complete with Munchkinland and the Yellow Brick Road.

“Wicked” tells the story of Elphaba and Glinda before Dorothy and before they became their more famous alter egos — the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.

Anne Brummel (left) stars as Elphaba and Tiffany Haas is Glinda in the touring production of “Wicked.” Theatergoers young and old showed up in elaborate costumes and greeted each other in the lobby as if they had known each other for years. They had only just met. As audience members entered the auditorium, the stage already had been brought to life by a red-eyed, smoke-breathing dragon hovering above the stage.

The scene was complete with a glittering map of Oz, and even the ushers were adorned with green bow ties. As the first round of Munchkins jumped and danced on stage, the excitement of the evening really set in. Soon entered Glinda (played by Tiffany Haas), floating down from above on her make-shift bubble. They rejoiced — the Wicked Witch was dead.

As the cast started into the first number, “No One Mourns the Wicked,” Haas got off to a shaky start. By the end of the first act, Brummel reminded us all that the Wicked Witch was worth rooting for in her amazing rendition of “Defying Gravity.” The end of the song has Brummel flying high above the stage bringing to life the tragic split of the friendship between her and Glinda.

Read the complete review {Via PostandCourier.com}

The Tony- and Grammy Award-winning blockbuster Wicked Musical will be at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center through April 29, 2012. Get $10 OFF on Wicked North Charleston SC Tickets Orders of $350 or more by using code #SpringSavings at Checkout.

Wicked is currently performing on tour in Denver, CO and at Buell Theatre Still Stands Strong. Wicked Cast: Starring Mamie Parris, Alli Mauzey, Andy Kelso, Liz McCartney, Emily Ferranti, Paul Slade Smith, Mark Jacoby and Justin Brill. Here is the review by Lisa Kennedy @ Denver Post Theater Critic.

“Wicked” is an outcast tale, a female friendship parable, a story of corruption and chicanery by authorities we — rather the denizens of the Emerald City — put our trust in. It is a wry reconsideration of good (is it overrated?) and evil (is it misunderstood?) — or at least L. Frank Baum’s version of that eternal tussle found in his classic novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.”

On opening night this production, starring Mamie Parris and Alli Mauzey, was quick-witted, generous and deft with the laughs, of which there are many. Still, I couldn’t help wishing for a better blend of the tender and the hilarious.

Parris and Mauzey portray Elphaba and Galinda. Eventually, Galinda adopts her better-known moniker, Glinda. Elphaba will claim her name, her fame or infamy, as the Wicked Witch of the West. Parris has a rich voice that fills out Elphaba’s sorrow and youthful angst. Mauzey brings stop-on-a-dime comedic timing to Galinda’s antics. She’s a tireless, rapid-fire trouper.

“Wicked” wastes little time in evoking one of the more indelible images of the movie, with winged monkeys climbing above the stage. But memories of Dorothy Gale, Kansas and Oz are quickly turned topsy turvy. The sets are evocative: spectacle without the clutter.

As the play opens, Glinda confirms the Wicked Witch of the West’s death by water bucket. “Wicked” then unfolds as a flashback about how the two came to know each other.

The Green and the Good meet when they arrive at Shiz University. The jade-hued daughter of the Munchkin governor has been sent to school ostensibly to keep an eye on her wheelchair-bound, fair-haired younger sister, Nessarose (Emily Ferranti). There is antagonism at first sight, then a tentative friendship and, later, something of a competing love interest in popular guy Fiyero (Andy Kelso, a graduate of Aurora’s Eaglecrest High School), who turns out to be deeper than his deep pockets.

Elphaba is gifted and the school’s Madame Morrible sees it and seizes upon it. The youngster’s talent might even get her an audience with the Wizard (Mark Jacoby). Liz McCartney as the full-figured doyen of the school takes to her role with a brassy aplomb.

Paul Slade Smith makes Dr. Dillamond touching as a horned professor soon to become a target. The rules are changing in Oz, and magical animals are no longer appreciated.

Three songs have approached classic status. This despite the critical ink spilled since the play’s 2003 debut debating whether the musical has any memorable tunes. A great many reviews said no, but then critics are used to losing arguments with audiences.

Read the complete review {Via denverpost.com}

Wicked Musical will play through Sunday, May 20 at the Buell Theatre, 1101 13th St. Get $10 OFF on Wicked Denver CO Ticket Orders of $350 or more by using code #SpringSavings at Checkout.