Broadway’s biggest blockbuster to return to St. Louis’ Fox Theatre December 12, 2012-January 6, 2013

September 7, 2012– After breaking box office records in the three previous engagements, WICKED, Broadway’s biggest blockbuster, will return to the Fox Theatre this holiday season from December 12, 2012 through January 6, 2013. Tickets for the return engagement go on sale Saturday, September 15. Internet sales through metrotix.com will begin at 9 a.m.; the Fox Box Office and MetroTix charge by phone at 314-534-1111 will open at 10 a.m.

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.

 

“We are thrilled that St. Louis can ring in the 2012 holidays with WICKED,” said Fox Theatre producer Kristin Caskey. “Whether it’s your first time seeing it or your fourth, the experience is magical. WICKED is the preeminent American Musical and we consider this fantastic production the greatest gift we could give our audiences.”

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.

WICKED has “cast quite a spell” (Washington Post) throughout North America, breaking box office records in every city that it has played, including Toronto, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, DC, Philadelphia and Boston to name a few.

Called “a cultural phenomenon” by Variety, WICKED continues to thrill audiences around the world. There are currently seven productions of WICKED worldwide: New York; London; Japan; Holland; Australian/Asian Tour; and two concurrent North American National Tours.

WICKED features set design by Tony® Award winner Eugene Lee (Ragtime, Show Boat, Candide, Sweeney Todd), costume design by Tony® winner Susan Hilferty (Into the Woods, Assassins), lighting design by Tony® nominee Kenneth Posner (The Coast of Utopia, Hairspray) and sound design by Tony Meola (The Lion King). Stephen Oremus is the show’s musical director. Orchestrations are by William David Brohn, with dance arrangements by James Lynn Abbott.

WICKED is a special offering of the 2012-2013 U.S. Bank Broadway Series and is sponsored locally by American Airlines.