Universal Pictures announced today that it’s hired Kimberly Peirce, the director behind Boys Don’t Cry and Stop-Loss, to direct Wicked Lovely, the adaptation of the first book in the best-selling young adult fantasy series by Melissa Marr. Universal Pictures is producing the film with Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Picture Show Productions.
The story centers on a female teenager named Aislinn who has followed a set of rules when dealing with dangerous faeries in her life. When she begins to have feelings for a boy, the faeries break the rules and up the stakes. Caroline Thompson (Corpse Bride) is adapting the novel for the big screen. The book debuted in 2007 and remained on the New York Times bestseller list for ll weeks. Marr followed it up with the companion novels Ink Exchange in 2008 and Fragile Eternity in 2009. The fourth book in the series Radiant Shadows will debut this year.
Wicked is all about backstory, taking familiar characters we think we know and making us — to paraphrase a tune from the show — see them with different eyes. The touring production that opened at Overture Center this week (September 22) is a triumphant start to the arts center’s Broadway season. Like The Lion King, Overture’s spring hit, Wicked proves that a show can be a commercial hit yet also visually and emotionally rich.
In the lead role of Elphaba, Vicki Noon excels as the green-skinned girl who later becomes the Wicked Witch of the West. At 25, she is a phenomenal talent. Though a powerhouse while singing, she doesn’t oversell her acting. Watching her, I could only conclude that having a voice like Noon’s come out of your body is a magical power of its own.
For Thursday’s performance, the other lead role — Glinda — was played with aplomb by understudy Lesley McKinnell, who showed no sign that she’s not Glinda every night of the week. While she, too, is a fine singer, I was more captivated by her goofy comic skills, particularly in the first act, when Elphaba and Glinda meet at students at mythical Shiz University.
Wicked proves that a show can be a commercial hit yet also visually and emotionally rich.
Broadway’s biggest blockbuster musical, “Wicked,” will make its West Michigan debut at Western Michigan University’s Miller Auditorium this December 01, 2010 playing through December 12, 2010.
Performances of ‘Wicked’ at Miller Auditorium
Wednesday, Dec. 1, at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 2, at 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 3, at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 4, at 2 and 8 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 5, at 1 and 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 10, at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 11, at 2 and 8 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 12, at 1 and 6:30 p.m.
Joann Pettiford isn’t addicted – she’s just a Wicked fan.
Joann Pettiford (right) have seen the stage show Wicked 100 times
The Melbourne childcare worker attended her 100th viewing of the mega-successful stage musical Wicked at the Capitol Theatre last night after making her ninth journey to Sydney.
The 38-year-old, along with friend Vanessa Hill, said she had no problem with forking out what has been about $10,000 in tickets since the show’s opening back in 2008, having paid for every seat except last night’s century milestone, which was covered by producer John Frost.
“In some ways, it is expensive but I don’t really go out … I work full-time and I don’t drink or smoke so it’s a way to have some fun,” she said.
“It’s worth it because it’s one of those things … if you are having a bad day you come out with a smile on your face.”
Pettiford said she keeps coming back for the songs and the storyline. “I can sit there from the start to the end and I never get bored,” she said.
And her Wicked obsession is showing no signs of waning.
“It’s going to Brisbane,” she said. “So I’ll probably fly up for the opening and maybe a few shows after that. And then it goes to Adelaide so I may see a few performances there as well.”
“Wicked” tells the story of Elphaba, the tragically green-skinned girl who grows up as a misunderstood outcast. As a young adult at Shiz University with her wheelchair-bound sister, Nessarose, Elphaba meets her match in Galinda, a perpetually perky, blonde, pink-donning nemesis. Although their relationship begins as a stubborn rivalry, it eventually gives way to a friendship put to the test by their former allies. Between Elphaba and Galinda, who would later re-christen herself as Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, “Wicked” tells the tale of the true meaning of friendship, and what is worth risking to maintain it. It also teaches another valuable lesson.
“‘Wicked’ tells a really touching story about how to not be worried about how you’re perceived,” said Chris Peluso, who plays love interest Fiyero in the Madison show. “(It’s about) how to be okay with who you are, whoever you are.”
Wicked continued to rule the TicketNews’ Top Events rankings for another week, taking number one for the twelfth straight time. For the week ending Sunday, September 19, the hit musical reigned supreme with a decisive power score of 4.10.
“Wicked” also continued its long reign over TicketNews’ Top Broadway and Top Theater categories this week, power scoring a 25.68 and 26.02, respectively. Joining “Wicked” in the Top Broadway list were Jersey Boys (two, 14.55), the Radio City Christmas Spectacular (three, 6.42) and Al Pacino in The Merchant of Venice (four, 5.08). Other top Broadway sellers included Lion King (five, 4.50), Billy Elliot (eight, 3.06), and Phantom of the Opera (ten, 2.64).
Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce that the return of Wicked Musical. The longest running Broadway musical in Chicago history will return this holiday season for eight weeks, December 1, 2010 – January 23, 2011.
The blockbuster hit musical Wicked will bring holiday joy to Chicagoland as part of it’s ongoing national tour. Wicked begins performances on December 1, 2010 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre and will run through January 23, 2011. Tickets range in price from $30 to $100. A select number of premium seats are also available.
After breaking box office records and selling out in record time in 2007, Wicked, the smash-hit musical, will return to Orlando’s Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre February 23 through March 27, 2011.
Wicked Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre Schedule February 23 through March 27, 2011
The first week, February 23 – 27, 2011, Wicked will play evening performances at 8:00 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, a Thursday and Saturday matinee at 2:00 p.m., a Sunday matinee at 1:00 p.m., and a Sunday evening performance at 6:30 p.m.
“Orlando city truly excited for the return of Wicked to Orlando,” said Ron Legler, President and CEO of Florida Theatrical Association and also said “we hope hope everyone has the opportunity to experience this breathtaking Broadway show at least once, if not twice!”
Following that, Wicked will play the remainder of its engagement, Tuesday February 28, through Sunday, March 27, 2011 with evening performances at 8:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, a Saturday matinee at 2:00 p.m., a Sunday matinee at 1:00 p.m., and a Sunday evening performance at 6:30 p.m.
Wicked, the smash hit musical, will kick off The Smith Center for the Performing Arts’ 2012-2013 Broadway-subscription series with a limited six-week engagement. After breaking box office records and selling out across the country, Wicked has added The Smith Center to its 2012-2013 tour, with performances scheduled for August 29 – October 7, 2012.
The Smith Center for the Performing Arts announced on Monday that the hit musical “Wicked” would have a six-week run at the new venue during its inaugural year in 2012.
“Wicked” will be part of the Smith Center’s 2012-2013 Broadway-subscription series, with performances scheduled for Aug. 29 through Oct. 7. The on-sale date will be announced at a later date.
The Smith Center is expected to open in March 2012 in the Symphony Park development in downtown Las Vegas. More information on the center can be found on its website – www.thesmithcenter.com.
‘Wicked’ holds on to the #1 spot at Broadway’s box offices.
On Broadway, Wicked grossed $1,400,569 and had a 95.0% attendance rate for the week ending September 12, 2010.
Below are the Top 10 Grosses from BroadwayWorld.com for the week ending September 12, 2010.
1. Wicked $1,400,569
2. The Lion King $1,228,315
3. Jersey Boys $961,606
4. Billy Elliot: The Musical $854,498
5. Promises, Promises $825,154
6. Addams Family $806,698
7. Memphis $777,222
8. Mama Mia! $775,403
9. The Phantom of the Opera $664,515
10. Mary Poppins $558,088
