Idina Menzel and Taye Diggs / WireImage
Which old witch? The Wicked witch!
On October 30th, 2003 a Broadway musical was born and now 4 years later that green witch is still flying high! Who would have thought that a musical prequel to The Wizard of Oz, which opened to fairly tepid reviews, would make it to its 4th anniversary. The show is not just surviving, it is thriving - actually defying gravity (I can hear you groaning). Wicked now has productions in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. There is a successful tour and international productions in London, Stuttgart, Tokyo and Melbourne. There are cd's, dolls, books, posters, green monkey stuffed animals, sunglasses and life size dolls of Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth (ok, I made that up). As we stroll down the yellow brick lane of memories - who can forget the stars that have dazzled the stage of the Gershwin Theater. Of course there are the originals Idina and Kristin, it can't be long before we have a "reunion" (a la Adam and Anthony in Rent). The show has also helped the careers of Eden Espinosa, Megan Hilty, Shoshana Bean, Jennifer Laura Thompson, Julia Murney and Stephanie J. Block. Wouldn't it be fantastic if they did an anniversary performance and all these great actresses shared the stage in a Wicked-a-thon where they handed off to each other throughout the show (that is very Les Miz 10th Anniversary Celebration). Well, they aren't doing that this year. Let's take a look how this phenom is celebrating the big 4!
Wicked celebrated this past Sunday (October 28th) with a "Wicked Block Party". This annual event was held at The Friendship Garden in Harlem. There were games, costume contests, prizes and the dedication of the new garden. This garden "will become a public green oasis in one of New York City's underserved neighborhoods [and] will feature elements inspired by Wicked, including a yellow brick road and likenesses of the musical's characters, as well as flexible space for use by the neighborhood and the New Heights Academy, a charter school adjacent to the garden." Bette Milder (sassy singer and NY park lover) was there for the dedication. I think the whole "green" campaign is smart, clever and inspiring. Go Wicked!
Wicked is also celebrating the anniversary with a super special appearance on ABC's Ugly Betty this week (November 1st). Word is that Betty and others go to see the show. Ugly Betty is taped in L.A. so Eden Espinosa (Elphaba) and Megan Hilty (Glinda) made guest appearances on the show. Ugly Betty + Wicked + television = my world rocked.
Gardens, television shows, anniversaries...oh my! That is some wicked celebrating going on!
~ See You On The Aisle
Reader Comments
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Good for them for giving back!!
I honestly Idina's rendition of "defying gravity" is my ultimate broadway memory. I wish I could hear her do it again. Have a reunion show already -- What a great idea!
OMG if Idina and Cristen come back 2 wicked life will be crazy but hey.... that's broadway hehe
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