Wicked celebrates 2nd Anniversary

The Musical Wicked - The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz celebrates its second anniversary on Broadway on Sun 30 Oct 2005.

Wicked opened at the Gershwin Theatre on the 30 Oct 2003, following previews from the 8 Oct. The show is currently booking to the 30 Jul 2006.

Wicked, tells the story of how two school roommates from Oz , Elphaba who grows up to become the Wicked Witch of the West, and of her school roommate Glinda, who grows up to become the Good Witch The show has music & lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, Book by Winnie Holzman, based on the novel by Gregory Maguire.

The cast includes: Shoshana Bean (Elphaba), Megan Hilty (Glinda), Ben Vereen (The Wizard), Rue McClanahan (Madame Morrible), David Ayers (Fiyero), Michelle Federer (Nessarose), Sean McCourt (Doctor Dillamond, Witch�s Father), Robb Sapp (Boq).

It is directed by Joe Mantello, designed by Eugene Lee, lighting by Kenneth Posner, and costumes by Susan Hilferty. It is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt, David Stone

Wicked opened to mainly average notices from the popular press: ELYSA GARDNER of USA TODAY says �The most complete, and completely satisfying, new musical I've come across in a long time.� LINDA WINER of NEWSDAY says "Overproduced, overblown, confusingly dark and laboriously ambitious jumble." FRANK SCHECK for THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER says, "Far too arch and sophisticated for children...lacks... sophistication and wit that would make it palatable for adults." ROMA TORRE of NY1 says "The best thing about "Wicked" is its stars, whose talents cast a powerful spell." MICHAEL KUCHWARA of ASSOCIATED PRESS says "Lavish, ambitious and problematic."