Chicago Wicked to Offer 'Behind Emerald Curtain' Tour

Due to strong public response, the Chicago company of Wicked will soon add yet another opportunity to take a rare glimpse "into the wings" of the blockbuster Broadway musical.  "Behind the Emerald Curtain," an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Wicked, hosted by cast members in Chicago, will be offered to the public, starting July 11, on Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. as well as Tuesday evenings at 5:00 p.m. at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre.

Press notes state: "Participants visit the exclusive 'Behind the Emerald Curtain' Museum, which includes the set model by Tony Award-winner Eugene Lee and an up-close look at some of Tony Award-winner Susan Hilferty's costumes (with beautiful details not always visible from the audience), as well as a few of the actual props and wigs from the show, plus film footage about the making of the global hit production.

The tour, which lasts about an hour, concludes with a question-and-answer portion with current cast members, and an opportunity to find out what's in store for the musical phenomenon in Chicago as well as around the world.  Participants are also able to purchase exclusive merchandise available only on the tour as a memento of the experience."

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.

"Behind the Emerald Curtain" is offered on Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m. and, starting July 11, on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph St, Chicago).

Tickets for "Behind the Emerald Curtain" are $25 and available for purchase at Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph St. and 18 W. Monroe St.), through the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (312) 902-1400, or online at ticketmaster.com.  Tickets for "Behind the Emerald Curtain" do not include admission to Wicked, the Musical.   Corporate clients and groups of 20 or more may call (312) 977-1710.

For more information, visit www.wickedthemusical.com/chicago.