Wicked Chicago

Dee Roscioli is Elphaba in Chicago's Wicked. Roscioli joined the Chicago company as the standby for Elphaba last January, and has performed in the role many times over the course of this past year.

Erin Mackey (Glinda) moved onto the Chicago company as a Glinda understudy, and now is thrilled to officially fly in her bubble every night! Film/TV: The Parent Trap, Do Over, Family Affair.

Wicked veteran and original member of Broadway company, Derrick Williams, fresh from playing Fiyero on Broadway and originated the role in the national tour, is now in the Chicago production, singing away. (He has a lovely, rich voice).

Barbara Robertson (Madame Morrible) Credits include: Angels in America: Part I & II (National Tour), Hamlet; A Little Night Music; (Chicago Shakespeare); Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? ; Mary Stuart; La Bete; (Court), Grand Hotel (Water Tower), The Goat, or Who is Silvia?; Garden; Pal Joey; Black Snow; (Goodman); Kabuki Medea (Kennedy Center); Emma’s Child (Victory Gardens). FILM/TV: “The Company”, “Straight Story”, Will of Their Own (NBC);Mother’s Courage (Disney);Untouchables(Paramount); Early Edition (CBS). Gratefulliciousments: Actor’s Equity, friends, agents, co-workers, CCC students, Y.O.U., Michael, Luke, and Sarah. Barbara’s received seven Jeffs, a Helen Hayes Award, four After Darks, a Sarah Siddons, and numerous nominations.

Peter Kevoian (The Wizard) is pleased to return to the Oriental Theatre where he created the role of Tateh in the Chicago Company of Ragtime, (Jeff Nomination). He was also a member of the Original Broadway cast of The Phantom of the Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar (National Tour), Cats (LA Company), Sunset Blvd (Original Canadian Cast) the LA Companies of Les Miserables, and Ragtime, and the Broadway revival of Zorba. Recently seen at the Lincolnshire Marriott as Marcus Lycus in A Funny Thing…Forum and as the Narrator/Mysterious Man in Into The Woods . Television Credits include: LA LAW, The Guardian, Cheers, Matlock, Becker, and ER. For John and Jean. Proud AEA Member since 1973.

Summer Naomi Smart (Nessarose) is thrilled to be joining the cast of Wicked! A native of Salt Lake City, she received her BFA in Music Dance Theatre from Brigham Young University, and was most recently seen as the title role in Disney's Snow White: An Enchanted Musical. Regional credits include: Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Aida (Amneris), Joseph… (Potipher's Wife), and Funny Girl (Jenny). Love and gratitude to her family, her amazing husband David, and to her Heavenly Father.

Stanton Nash (Boq) A Texas native, moved to Chicago recently after graduating from the new Guthrie Theatre/ U of MN BFA Actor Training Program. In Chicago: Huck Finn (Steppenwolf Theatre); Checkhov’s Wood Demon; Madame X. Regional: The Last 5 Years (Twin Cities Theater Company); Comedy of Errors, A Streetcar Named Desire, Cherry Orchard (Georgia Shakespeare). Special thanks to the Wicked team, the Geddes women, my family, and God. Phillipians 4:13.

K. Todd Freeman (Dr. Dillamond). Broadway: The Song of Jacob Zulu ( Tony Nom.- Best Actor), One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Off-Broadway: Uncle Tom’s Cabin (Drama Dept.-Member), Spunk, Ubu. Steppenwolf Theatre Co. (Member): Topdog/Underdog (BTA Award-Best Actor), A Clockwork Orange ; Mark Taper Forum: Angels in America (DramaLogue Award); Film: The Cider House Rules, Grosse Pointe Blank, The End of Violence, among others. Television: recurring roles on "Sisters" and "NYPD Blue," and was Mr. Trick on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," and guest starred on many others.

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!!