Wicked to Head to the West End in September 2006?

By: Dec. 12, 2005
KRISTIN CHENOWETH
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According to Variety, Wicked may soon jump across the pond for a 2006 West End production.

The trade paper states that Wicked is "aiming for a late-September bow" at the Apollo Victoria. It would follow the upcoming London production of the Billy Joel-Twyla Tharp piece Movin' Out, which will open at the theatre on April 18th (current tenant Saturday Night Fever will shutter on February 18th). Movin' Out will end its limited engagement on July 17th and then move on to continental Europe--leaving the Victoria open for the smash musical.
 
Wicked is the untold story of the witches of Oz. "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."

Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, the show boasts music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin) and a book by Winnie Holzman ("My So-Called Life"). The show is directed by Tony award winner Joe Mantello (Assassins, Take Me Out) with musical staging by Tony Award-winner Wayne Cilento (Aida, The Who's Tommy). Wicked features sets by Tony Award-winner Eugene Lee, costumes by Tony Award-winner Susan Hilferty, lighting by Kenneth Posner and sound design by Tony Meola.

Wicked opened at the Gershwin Theatre (222 W. 51st St.) on Broadway (where it continues to be the top-grossing show) on October 30th, 2003 with Tony Award-winner Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth as the respective green and pink witches. Stephanie J. Block and Kendra Kassebaum headline the national tour that is currently circling the country, while the hit Chicago production stars Ana Gasteyer and Kate Reinders.

The Broadway production of Wicked currently features Shoshana Bean as Elphaba, Megan Hilty as Glinda, Ben Vereen as The Wizard, Rue McClanahan as Madame Morrible, David Ayers as Fiyero, Michelle Federer as Nessarose, Sean McCourt as Doctor Dillamond and Robb Sapp as Boq. On January 10th, Eden Espinosa, Carol Kane and Derrick Williams will step into the respective roles of Elphaba, Madame Morrible and Fiyero.

Wicked tickets can be ordered by calling (212) 307-4100 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit www.wickedthemusical.com.



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