WICKED Closes at The Benedum Center, 10/2

After breaking box office records and selling out in record time in 2008, WICKED, Broadway's biggest blockbuster, will return to Pittsburgh, with performances at the Benedum Center, from September 7 through October 2. WICKED is a season special, part of the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series, presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Broadway Across America and Pittsburgh Symphony.

With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, Academy Award-winner for Pocahontas and The Prince of Egypt) and book by Winnie Holzman ("My So Called Life," "Once And Again" and "thirtysomething"), WICKED, the untold story of the witches of Oz, is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello (Take Me Out, Love! Valour! Compassion!, The Vagina Monologues)and features musical staging by Tony® Award winner Wayne Cilento (Aida, The Who's Tommy, How To Succeed...).

Based on the best-selling 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire, WICKED, winner of 35 major awards, including a Grammy® and three Tony® Awards, is the untold story of the witches of Oz. It is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.

Single tickets for WICKED, on sale Monday, May 23, at 7:00 a.m. EST, are $35.25-$138.25. The performance schedule is as follows: Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday at 2:00 and 8:00 p.m.; Sunday at 1:00 and 6:30 p.m. On Thursday, September 8, there will be a 2 p.m. matinee.

PNC Broadway Across America - Pittsburgh subscribers may purchase tickets in advance from The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust by calling412-471-1390. Groups of 20 or more may also purchase tickets in advance by calling 412-471-6930. For information, visit wicked.pgharts.org.

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, and how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.

Grammy Award-Winning Cast recording is available on Decca Broadway. For more information about WICKED log on to www.wickedthemusical.com.

*As a note to all calendar listing editors, the title of the show is WICKED (not WICKED: A New Musical or WICKED, the untold story of the witches of Oz).