Wicked Chicago

Keep up with Wicked Chicago news here.

Wicked will return for the holidays 2010

One short eight weeks at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre

The blockbuster hit musical Wicked will bring holiday joy to Chicagoland as part of it's ongoing national tour. December 01, 2010 - January 23, 2011. On sale date (except for season tickets and group sales) September 17, 10:00 am Wicked Tickets Chicago at ticketmaster

Some premium price tickets are already available. Wicked tickets - Chicago and Wicked Tickets at Cadillac Palace

Wicked played for three 1/2 years at Chicago's Ford Center for the Performing Arts' Oriental Theatre before closing in January of 2009. The dedicated Chicago production had some minor additional front-of-stage elements that aren't used on the tour. But otherwise, audiences can expect to see the same show. (The tour set, props, and costumes travel in 14 semi-trailers!). Find great rates on Chicago hotels.

Special Wicked Chicago T-Shirt

Celebrate Wicked's sojourn in the Windy City with the Official Chicago Production T-Shirt. The shirt also features the slogan "Defying Gravity in the Windy City" on the back. TO ORDER search under apparel at The Ozdust Boutique: The only official source for WICKED THE MUSICAL merchandise

Want to see the show sooner? The musical will be playing in Madison, WI in September: Wicked Tour across the United States. The show also be seen on Broadway in New York.

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Wicked Chicago Cast

(Subject to change) - The first Wicked tour cast is scheduled for Chicago:

Elphaba: Jackie Burns
Glinda: Chandra Lee Schwartz
Fiyero: Richard H. Blake
Madame Morrible: Randy Danson
The Wizard: Richard Kline
Nessarose: Michelle London
Boq: Justin Brill
Dr. Dillamond: Steven Skybell

Praise for this cast

From Columbus Dispatch review: "...As green-skinned Elphaba, Jackie Burns finds the strength and vulnerability of her pivotal outcast role. Chandra Lee Schwartz is sweetly selfish and often hilarious as Glinda, the pretty, but shallow, blonde who cares so much about being Popular. Richard H. Blake is dashing as Fiyero, the captain whom Glinda and Elphaba both desire. As the not-so-wonderful Wizard, Richard Kline scores in an endearing vaudeville-style song."

[For a Who's Who of characters: Wicked characters (slight spoilers).]

Four Essential Books for Wicked Enthusiasts

1. Wicked book Defying Gravity Defying Gravity: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell to Wicked, by Carol de Giere. Defying Gravity includes the full story of Wicked's development, from Stephen Schwartz's conception of the musical in 1996 through it's opening on Broadway in October of 2003. It includes hundreds of behind-the-scenes stories based on the author's interviews with Stephen Schwartz, Winnie Holzman, Gregory Maguire, the musical's director Joe Mantello, the producers, actress Idina Menzel, and others. Visit the book site at www.defyinggravitythebook.com/

2. Wicked: the Grimmerie. A special souvenir book for fans. Note that most of the script is in the Wicked Grimmerie souvenir book. This essential book provides lyrics, many color and black and white photos, and comments mostly organized by topics.

3. One of the Wicked Songbooks. On MusicalSchwartz.com, Stephen Schwartz describes the songbooks he was involved in creating. Read details and find links Wicked Songbooks

4. Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West - Novel Musical Tie-in Edition : The Life... [new browser window]

This musical tie-in edition of Gregory Maguire's novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West features 16 pages of photos from the musical.

Schwartz likes to write about traditional stories that have a special new twist. Maguire had based his novel on one of the most popular stories of all times: The Wizard of Oz, yet had provided a new, psychological "life and times" story of an unusual heroine--the Wicked Witch of the West--whom he called Elphaba.

Wicked the Musical and Stephen Schwartz

About the December/January run, producer David Stone said that, this time around, it will be eight weeks and done. "We will have to move to our next engagement," he said, "but everyone will be happy to be in Chicago for the holidays." (Source: Chicago tribune article.)

Wicked is the top grossing and longest running Broadway show in Chicago theatre history. It features music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz.

Don't miss our Wicked home page for links to 50 Wicked-related pages

Wicked Chicago Creative Team:

Joe Mantello directed the Wicked Chicago production. Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman were involved with casting and with any small adjustments that need to be made to the script and score as the new cast enters. (Stephen Schwartz's Working, based on the book Working by Chicago's Studs Terkel, received a workshop production in Chicago in 1978.)

Chicago Travel

Stephen Schwartz's musical WORKING is playing in Chicago February 15 - May 8th, 2011. Broadway in Chicago - Working

HOTELS: To check for Orbitz or Expedia deals, go to Chicago Hotels or

Wicked Chicago Reviews and Articles

Wicked Chicago - Review on Aislesay - Wicked is that rarest of commodities, a contemporary musical for adults that's fun....

Windy City review

"'Wicked' secrets," an article about the unusual success of the musical Wicked written by Chris Jones, the Chicago Tribune art critic, appeared in the Sunday, April 24th, Chicago Tribune. Chris's article can be found online at Chicago Tribune - Wicked Secrets (login may be required). Carol de Giere, this web site's webmaster, was among the people consulted for the article.

Wicked Chicago Street buzz from audience members

Leah D. Bloomington, Indiana, February 2007: I just saw "Wicked" in Chicago. I had no idea what to expect, as I've never seen a musical of this magnitude before. To put it lightly, I was blown away by the show. It was incredible! The vocal talent was just amazing, especially Dee Roscioli as Elphaba. I still can't get the image of "Defying Gravity" out of my mind. SHE..WAS.AMAZING! -

Edward Hoyenski, Fall 2006: "Wicked is AMAZING. I've been listening to the music via Sirus Broadway, and on a recent trip to Chicago I discovered that it was playing there - and I was fortunate enough to get a ticket for the one night I could have gone. That trip - my first to Chicago - included 5 incredible things: Art Institute of Chicago, Field Museum, King Tut Exhibition, Shed Aquarium, and Wicked. I've since been playing the CD all day, every day, in my office - playing as I type. It is an amazing musical, and I hope to see it again many, many times!"

Edward Hoyenski
Assistant Curator
Rare Book & Texana Collections
University of North Texas Libraries

From Sue O. of Chicago: Just returned from the first performance of the sit-down production of 'Wicked' here in Chicago. Overall, the cast is quite solid (in some respects, more uniformly solid than the touring cast), and I imagine it will only get more solid and cohesive as they get more performances under their belts.

Boy, Ana Gasteyer can sing! There were a few moments during 'The Wizard and I' that blew me away. It was a very different portrayal than
Idina or Stephanie, but it totally worked.) She also seems to channel
Margaret Hamilton more directly than any other Elphaba. Her cackles and some of her vocal inflections were very reminiscent of the Wicked Witch of the West of my youth.

Kate Reinders is also quite good. She does not seem to be channeling the movie quite as much as Ana. In fact, I think she may just be channeling Kristin Chenoweth. She reminded me a great deal of Kristin.

Kristoffer Cusick as Fiyero is just as I'd remembered him on Broadway. He's fine... nothing much more to say about his portrayal. He is so lovely to look at on the stage. Rondi Reed as Madame Morrible was excellent. She is a favorite of mine from Steppenwolf and it was a trip to see her in Wicked. I enjoyed her a great deal.

Actors playing Boq, the Wizard, Nessa Rose and Dr. Dillamond were all fine. Overall, quite a good production and cast that will only get better as the production progresses.

From another Susan 6/29/05: My husband and I just returned from Wicked in Chicago having attended the matinee today June 29. The show was amazing! I cried, I laughed, I smiled, and grimaced! Anna Gasteyer had a great voice and was wonderful as Elphaba. Kristoffer Cusick was amazing as Fiyero. He is multi talented. I not only enjoyed his voice, but his dancing was tremendous. I just can't think of anything negative to say about any of the cast! The set was great! The monkeys were...scary and amazing! Dr. Dillamond was loveable. Boq was - surprising (I didn't see this part coming) Loved it all. Want to go back again immediately!!

Read all about Wicked the musical

Visit Wicked home page for links to 50 Wicked-related pages - Synopsis, lyrics, music, articles, etc

Enter drawing for autographed CD: Wicked drawing

Questions or comments to share? Write to Carol (that's me, the webmaster) at carol@musicalschwartz.com with the words "Question" or "Comment" in the subject heading. (If you don't hear from me please write again - it got lost in my spam filter or yours)

Subscribe to free e-mail newsletter for Schwartz and Wicked updates: The Schwartz Scene

Official WICKED Chicago site happenings calendar

Wicked Cast Album and Shop

Don't miss our Wicked Shop for logo shirts, logo hoodies, monkeys, posters and frames, souvenir programs, gift certificates, etc

For the original Broadway cast Wicked Original Broadway Cast album: Wicked musical - Amazon.com

Enter Drawing for autographed CD Wicked drawing

There is no Wicked Chicago cast album at this time, nor is one being planned.

Wicked Karaoke CD [opens to our sister site musicalsingers.com] sing along with Wicked. Acompaniment tracks for Wicked and other Broadway shows.

Read about Wicked's composer Stephen Schwartz

See Stephen Schwartz musicals

on video or DVD

Godspell, Pippin, The Magic Show, Working, The Prince of Egypt,

Disney shows, Others

(Not available on DVD or video but have cast albums: Children of Eden, The Baker's Wife, Rags)

MORE WICKED CHICAGO NEWS:

June 2007: WICKED made the Windy City history books this summer when it became the longest running Broadway show in Chicago Theater history! June 21st marked the Chicago company’s 833rd performance at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre, surpassing the Chicago runs of many renowned Broadway productions, including The Lion King, The Phantom of the Opera and A Chorus Line.

December 13, 2006: Chicago's Wicked raised over $175,000 for Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS this season, earning the top fundraising honor for the second year in a row at the 18th Annual Gypsy of the Year Competition, a national effort on behalf of the charity.

The awards ceremony, held December 5 in New York City, announced Chicago's Wicked as the top fundraiser in a category of productions outside of New York.

This marks the third consecutive win for Chicago's Wicked, which also took first in last December's campaign as well as the spring Easter Bonnet fundraising drive. The Chicago company of Wicked has collectively raised over one-half million dollars for Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS during its Windy City residence so far.

Over the course of almost two months, during a nightly curtain call appeal at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre, Wicked's cast and crew raised over $175,000. This donation has been generously shared again with Chicago House, a local non-profit organization picked by the company members for their ongoing work providing housing and supportive services to those impacted with AIDS and HIV. Funds will also be donated to another local charity, Season of Concern, a Chicago counterpart to Broadway Cares, as well as the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative.

Photograph of Stephen Schwartz by Joan Lauren

About Composer - Lyricist Stephen Schwartz.
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You're visiting MusicalSchwartz.com, an independent resource site on Broadway and film composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz and his musicals Wicked, Godspell, Pippin, Disney movies, and others. This site by Carol de Giere offers information, tips, and products through affiliate programs. A Stephen Schwartz fan site.

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