Things better left unsaid

Kassebaum and Wicks Will Head Cast of San Francisco Wicked

By Andrew Gans
December 16, 2008

Initial casting has been announced for the open-ended San Francisco engagement of Wicked, which begins performances Jan. 27, 2009, at the Orpheum Theatre.

Teal Wicks (L.A. Wicked, national tour of Pippin) and Kendra Kassebaum (Broadway's Wicked, Off-Broadway's The Receptionist), will head the cast as, respectively, the green-faced, misunderstood Elphaba and the curly-locked Glinda.

Wicks and Kassebaum will be joined onstage by Carol Kane as Madame Morrible and David Garrison as The Wizard.

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9 to 5 Will Now Begin Broadway Previews April 7, 2009; Tix on Sale Oct. 29

By Andrew Gans
October 14, 2008

Preview and opening dates have been slightly altered for the eagerly awaited 9 to 5: The Musical, which boasts a score by the Grammy Award-winning star of the concert stage and screen, Dolly Parton.

Originally scheduled to begin previews at the Marquis Theatre March 24, 2009, with an official opening April 23, 2009, the new musical — which is currently playing an out-of-town tryout at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles through Oct. 19 — will now arrive at the Marquis April 7, 2009, and officially open April 30, 2009.

Tickets for the Broadway production will go on sale exclusively to American Express Gold Card members Oct. 29. The on-sale date for the general public will be Dec. 1. Tickets, priced $66.50-$126.50, will be available by calling (212) 307-4100 or by visiting Ticketmaster.com.

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Chicago's Wicked to Close in January 2009,

By Andrew Gans
May 21, 2008

The Chicago company of Wicked, which plays the Ford Center for the Performing Arts' Oriental Theatre, will end its lengthy run in January 2009.

The hit Stephen Schwartz-Winnie Holzman musical will play its final performance at the Ford Center January 25, 2009. When it closes, the musical will have played 1,500 performances and grossed over $200 million.

Wicked began performances in Chicago June 24, 2005. The cast currently features Dee Roscioli as Elphaba and Kate Fahrner as Glinda.

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Legat Will Be Boq in London Wicked in June

By Andrew Gans
April 10, 2008

The London production of Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre will soon boast a new principal cast.

As previously reported, Harriet Thorpe will become the new Madame Morrible April 14, and June 9 will welcome Alexia Khadime as Elphaba and Desmond Barrit as The Wizard.

June 9 will also see the arrival as Jeremy Legat as Boq and the ascension of ensemble member Caroline Keiff into the role of Nessarose. Ashleigh Gray will become the standby for the green-faced Elphaba that day as well.

Current cast members Dianne Pilkington (Glinda), Oliver Tompsett (Fiyero), Andy Mace (Doctor Dillamond) and Sarah Earnshaw (standby for Glinda) have all extended their contracts.

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Los Angeles Wicked Will Close in January 2009

By Andrew Gans
April 1, 2008

The Los Angeles production of Wicked will play its final performance at the Pantages Theatre Jan. 11, 2009. When it closes, the production of the hit Stephen Schwartz-Winnie Holzman musical will have played 791 performances and 12 previews.

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L.A.'s Ahmanson Will Premiere Musicals Minsky's and 9 to 5

By Kenneth Jones
March 24, 2008

Minsky's is the new title of the Charles Strouse-Susan Birkenhead musical comedy once known as The Night They Raided Minsky's — and it's aiming for Los Angeles in 2009.

The show, which Playbill.com previously reported has new librettist Bob Martin and new director-choreographer Casey Nicholaw (both of The Drowsy Chaperone) attached, is officially on the 2008-09 season of the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre in L.A. The season was announced by CTG's artistic director Michael Ritchie on March 24.

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Happy Valentine's Day for those observing.

I had someone ask for these two recordings... so I will share. :)

( Everybody's got the right to be happy... )

Well... It's good to know what's on board for the 2008 season :D

First off... Dolly. Then Ms Janney. And Ms Block and Ms Hilty... mmm... such a lovely cast :)

Janney, Block, Hilty Are Just a Step on Boss Man's Ladder in 9 to 5 World Premiere

( Janney, Block, Hilty Are Just a Step on Boss Man's Ladder in 9 to 5 World Premiere )