Block to Begin Performances in Toronto Wicked March 25, Opens March 31

Written by Maya Cantu

Having suffered a minor injury during a dress rehearsal, Stephanie J. Block will not defy gravity until March 25th, when she plays her first preview in Wicked.

The national tour was originally scheduled to open on March 20th, but opening night was pushed back to March 31st so that the show could open with Block as Elphaba. The tour has already commenced at the Canon Theatre in Toronto. Kristy Cates, who is currently in the Broadway cast of Wicked and covers the role of Elphaba, has been performing since March 9th as a replacement for the ailing star.

The tour will play at the following locations: Chicago's Ford Center for the Performing Arts (April 29th-June 12th), Hollywood's Pantages Theatre (June 17th-July 31th), San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre (Aug. 4th-Sept. 11th), The Denver Center for the Performing Arts' Buell Theatre (Sept. 15-Oct. 2), Dallas' Music Hall at Fair Park (Oct. 5th-23rd), Fort Lauderdale's Broward Center (Feb. 8th-19th, 2006) and Philadelphia's Kimmell Center (beginning on March 22nd, 2006).

Wicked's national tour also features Kendra Kassebaum as Galinda, David Garrison as the Wizard, Carol Kane as Madame Morrible, Derrick Williams as Fiyero, Jenna Leigh Green as Nessarose, Logan Lipton as Boq, and Timothy Britten Parker as Dr. Dillamond.

Block's opening date is hardly the first time she has smeared on the green greasepaint. She workshopped Elphaba and was a standby during the production's San Francisco tryout. The versatile Block is most famous, however, for her acclaimed portrayal of Liza Minnelli in 2003's The Boy from Oz; she left one Oz for another in order to take the star-making role. Her extensive regional credits include roles in Funny Girl, Oliver!, James Joyce's The Dead, The Grass Harp, Bells Are Ringing and I Love a Piano, and she was nominated for an L.A. Ovation Award for Crazy for You.

Wicked's story (based on the Gregory Maguire novel) of witchcraft and friendship between two misunderstood heroines is a well-known one to most theatregoers. The musical began previews on Broadway on October 8th, 2003, before opening at the Gershwin Theatre on Oct. 30th with Idina Menzel, Kristin Chenoweth, Norbert Leo Butz and Joel Grey as the stars. The lavish musical went on to garner 10 Tony nominations, out of which it won 3 (including Best Actress for Menzel). Wicked's score is by Stephen Schwartz, and the book by Winnie Holzman. Joe Mantello directed, and does so again for the tour.

Tickets for the national tour can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (312) 902-1400. More information on Wicked can be found at http://www.wickedthemusical.com