Chicago Wicked Partners with Make-A-Wish Foundation

As Wicked prepares to enter its third year at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre, the record-breaking Chicago company is continuing their tradition of giving back to the community that has made them the most 'Popular' show in town.  In honor of their second anniversary, the Chicago company of Wicked will announce their new partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation at a public celebration at Water Tower Square Park (corner of Michigan & Pearson) on Thursday, June 21 at 12:00 p.m.

"As hundreds of Wicked fans descend on the historic Water Tower Square Park, two Make-A-Wish children will get to spend one very special day in the Emerald City.  To kick off their Wicked experience, the children will join Chicago's own Elphaba, Dee Roscioli, and other members of the Chicago company in a group sing-a-long of 'Defying Gravity' in front of a fully costumed and 'greenified' crowd.  The wish children will continue their special day as they journey to the land of Oz and sit front-and-center that night during a performance of the record-breaking musical in Chicago," state press notes.

Wicked has also announced a unique partnership beyond the second anniversary celebration, as the Chicago company sets out to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation and their mission to bring hope strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions in Illinois.  The Chicago company will be making a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois for every ticket sold, using the code 'WISH,' from a block of tickets available for Tuesday and Wednesday performances throughout the month of September.  In addition, Wicked is creating a series of special VIP experiences to the show for the organization to auction off to their membership with proceeds directly benefiting Make-A-Wish.

"We are so honored to be working with the Chicago company of Wicked and Broadway In Chicago at their upcoming anniversary on Thursday and through this exciting partnership in September," states Stephanie Springs, CEO of the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Illinois.  "On behalf of the entire Make-A-Wish family, I thank Wicked for their generosity and support towards our mission to bring a joyous wish experience to local children battling life-threatening medical conditions."

The Chicago company of Wicked is now playing in an open-run at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre, 24 West Randolph Street.  Breaking multiple box office records since opening in June, 2005 and playing to packed audiences from across the world night after night, the production is the top grossing show in Chicago theatre history.

Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman.  Directed by Joe Mantello, with musical staging by Wayne Cilento, Wicked is currently presented in Chicago, on Broadway at the Gershwin Theatre, on a national tour, in Los Angeles at the Pantages Theatre and in London at the Apollo Victoria Theatre.

"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 Witch."

The musical is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.

For tickets and more information, visit www.wickedthemusical.com/chicago.  Visit www.wish.org for more on the Make-a-Wish Foundation.