Gregory Maguire Releases Wicked Sequel, Sept. 27
By: BWW News Desk Jun. 22, 2005
Gregory Maguire will chronicle the adventures of a new set of characters in a Wicked sequel to be released on September 27th. As is well-known to every theatre fan, the book provided the basis for the smash musical currently running at the Gershwin Theatre.Son of a Witch will tell the story of Elphaba' son, Liir. Set 10 years after Elphaba's death, the novel recounts how "The young man Liir is discovered bruised, comatose, and left for dead
in a gully. Shattered in spirit as well as in form, he is tended by the
mysterious Candle, a foundling in her own right, until failed campaigns
of his childhood bear late, unexpected fruit," states Maguire's official website. "Liir is only one part of the world that Elphaba left behind. As a boy
hardly in his teens, he is asked to help the needy in ways in which he
may be unskilled. Is he Elphaba's son? Has he power of his own? Can he
liberate Princess Nastoya into a dignified death? Can he locate his
supposed half-sister, Nor, last seen in shackles under the Wizard's
protection? Can he survive in an Oz little improved since the death of
the Wicked Witch of the West? Can he learn to fly?"
The musical Wicked opened at the Gershwin Theatre on October 30th, 2003. Directed by Joe Mantello, choreographed by Wayne Cilento, the show features a score by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. While Shoshana Bean continues to play the green-skinned heroine, Megan Hilty, Rue McClanahan and Ben Vereen stepped into the respective roles of Glinda, Madame Morrible and the Wizard on May 31st. The musical's plot varies in some ways from that of Maguire's book. The author, who delights in re-telling familiar stories and fairy tales, also penned Lost, Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, Mirror Mirror, and such children's books as The Dream Stealer and The Good Liar.While the list price for Son of a Witch is set at $26.95, it is now available for $17.79 at Amazon, which is offering the book for pre-order.For more information on Maguire and Son of a Witch, visit www.gregorymaguire.com.
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