Wicked the Musical in Chicago — Wicked Tickets, Cast, Souvenirs
Perormances of Wicked the musical in Chicago or nearby
Sorry you missed it. One short eight weeks at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre
Wicked will be in Peoria, Illinois between October 12th and October 30th, 2011 at the Peoria Civic Center
See the tour page link below:
Catch WICKED ON TOUR across the United States.
- The show also may be seen on Broadway in New York.
The blockbuster hit musical Wicked brought holiday joy to Chicagoland as part of it's ongoing national tour. December 01, 2010 - January 23, 2011.
Love Wicked? Buy Souvenirs
Celebrate Wicked's sojourn in the Windy City with souvenirs like the Wicked poster, logo tshirts, souvenir books, logo mugs, logo beach towel, and more.
New since Wicked last appeared in Chicago: The flying monkey kids Tshirt (pictured to the left), new Popular shirt, and more. TO ORDER search under apparel at The Ozdust Boutique: The only official source for WICKED THE MUSICAL merchandise
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Four Essential Books for Wicked Enthusiasts
1. 
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.
Read all about Wicked the musical
What is Wicked about? This Wizard of Oz prequel story covers the friendship challenges between the "Wicked" Wicked of the West and Glinda "The Good," starting with their meeting as reluctant roomates in college in Oz. It also weaves in multiple story lines and themes, especially about personal integrity and courage to be true to one's self.
For a Who's Who of characters: Wicked characters (slight spoilers).
Wicked's writers: Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman
Visit Wicked home page for links to 50 Wicked-related pages - Synopsis, lyrics, music, articles, etc
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)
Wicked Chicago Reviews, Articles, Buzz from audience members
From Joe Stead's December 2010 review of Wicked in Chicago - praise for Stephen Schwartz and for the cast.
"....Stephen Schwartz's infectious and rousing, power ballad laden score may be rooted in the pop idiom but delightfully carries the plot and characters into the 21st Century. "Wicked" casts an irresistible spell on audiences both young and old, as surely as Baum's first American fairy tale did over a century ago...."
About the cast: Burns' feisty emerald skinned heroine is one tough cookie from the very start, and a bold contrast to the winsome beauty queen Glinda of Chandra Lee Schwartz. Schwartz is no Kristin Chenoweth, her light and airy soprano disappearing like the bubbles she so gracefully gets around in. ...
Read the full review at Wicked Chicago Review - www.steadstylechicago.com/wicked2010.htm
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.
From 2007. Check back later for more current reviews.
Wicked Chicago - Review on Aislesay - Wicked is that rarest of commodities, a contemporary musical for adults that's fun....
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!!
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
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.
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.
d.
About Composer - Lyricist Stephen Schwartz.CDs | Events & News | Sheet Music| Newsletter|
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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