Beyond the Yellow Brick Road Concert Series to Feature Bean, Espinosa and Schwartz

By Andrew Gans
April 8, 2009

Upright Cabaret's Wicked Summer Nights: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road concert series will play Los Angeles' Ford Amphitheatre beginning June 2009 and will boast the talents of Wicked composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz and former Elphabas Shoshana Bean and Eden Espinosa.

Read more... )
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.

Read more... )
Arden, Egan, Espinosa, Graae, Gravitte, Hilty, Morrow and More Will Sing Schwartz Nov. 24

By Andrew Gans
November 7, 2008

The Actors Fund of America's Musical Mondays concert series will continue Nov. 24 with an evening devoted to the music of Stephen Schwartz.

The concert series, which is held in the lobby of the Pantages Theatre, will feature Wicked composer Schwartz as well as special guests Jason Alexander, Michael Arden, Susan Egan, Eden Espinosa, Tyrone Giordano, Jason Graae, Debbie Gravitte, Megan Hilty, Karen Morrow, Philos, Hila Plitmann and Eric Whitacre as well as the Cal State Fullerton Chamber Chorus.

Read more... )
"Madtv" Star Parker Will Be Broadway's Elphaba in 2009

By Andrew Gans
November 5, 2008

Nicole Parker, who recently wrapped her seventh season on Fox's "MADtv," will join the Broadway company of Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman's Wicked in 2009.

Parker, according to her press rep, will begin performances as the misunderstood, green-faced Elphaba Jan. 13, 2009, at the Gershwin Theatre.

Read more... )
"Popular": Wicked Celebrates Fifth Anniversary on Broadway Oct. 30

By Andrew Gans
October 30, 2008

The New York production of Wicked — the international hit musical based on the novel by Gregory Maguire that features a score by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman — celebrates its fifth anniversary at Broadway's Gershwin Theatre Oct. 30.

To mark the occasion, the trademark yellow masthead of the musical's Playbill cover has been printed green for the 8 PM performance. The green Playbill banner marks the first time in the publication's history that the color has been changed for a particular production.

Those not attending the Oct. 30 performance at the Gershwin can purchase the limited edition Playbill by visiting PlaybillStore.com. Pre-orders are currently being accepted for the commemorative Playbill — priced $11.95 — which ships the week of Nov. 3.

Read more... )
Wicked Playbill Will Go Green for Oct. 30 Anniversary Performance

By Andrew Gans
October 17, 2008

To celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Broadway hit Wicked on Oct. 30, the trademark yellow masthead of the musical's Playbill cover will be printed green for one performance only.

The green Playbill banner will mark the first time in the publication's history that the color has been changed for a particular production.

Read more... )
Broadway Revival of Godspell Postponed

By Andrew Gans
August 19, 2008

The Broadway revival of Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak's Godspell, which was scheduled to co-star "American Idol" finalist Diana DeGarmo and Tony nominee Gavin Creel, has been postponed.

Producer Adam Epstein said in an Aug. 19 statement, "I am devastated that, due to the loss of a major investor in the harsh reality of a slowing economy, there were no other options at this time than to postpone. I could not in good conscience move forward without full confidence that the capitalization was in place and that all of those employed by the production could be responsibly taken care of. . . Even in light of the situation, my passion for this vibrant production is unwavering and it is my goal to regroup as soon as possible."

Read more... )
August 17, 2008

Off the Stage, What's Behind the Music
By SUSAN ELLIOTT

YOU can hear the collective gasp from the audience as the stage of the Vivian Beaumont slides back to the opening bars of “Bali Ha’i,” revealing 30 formally attired musicians reveling in the lush, exotic hues of the overture to “South Pacific.”

The melodies that roll seamlessly by — “There Is Nothing Like a Dame,” “A Wonderful Guy,” “Some Enchanted Evening” — are all classic Richard Rodgers. But the instruments playing them, the elaborate counter lines, shifting harmonies and alternating rhythmic contexts, are the work of Robert Russell Bennett, his orchestrator. Mr. Bennett wrote the overture, too (as he did for virtually all of his clients, including Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, George Gershwin and Frederick Loewe), weaving together excerpts of the score’s famous melodies to create a seamless potpourri of its greatest hits. Similarly, Sid Ramin’s original orchestrations bring to life Jule Styne’s score for “Gypsy,” now playing with the full complement of 25 pieces at the St. James Theater.

Read more... )
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.

Read more... )