Triangle Arts and Entertainment

BROADWAY’S BIGGEST BLOCKBUSTER TO RETURN TO DPAC, DURHAM PERFORMING ARTS CENTER MAY 2-27.
BY STEPHEN SCHWARTZ AND WINNIE HOLZMAN
BASED ON THE NOVEL BY GREGORY MAGUIRE

After breaking box office records and selling out in record time in 2010, WICKED, Broadway’s biggest blockbuster, will return to Durham May 2-27.  Tickets for the return engagement go on sale Monday, February 13 at 10am.

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.

Tickets go on sale to the public beginning Monday, February 13 at 10am:
•         Online at DPACnc.com
•         DPAC Ticket Center: 919.680.2787, 123 Vivian Street, Durham, NC
•         Ticketmaster.com/wicked or Ticketmaster Charge by phone at 800.745.3000
•         Ticketmaster outlets including Crabtree Valley Mall and Wal-Mart

“I’m ecstatic that we have secured a return of WICKED for DPAC.  It was a thrill to have so much excitement at DPAC during its first sold out 4 weeks in 2010 and the return is sure to only bring even more,” said Durham Performing Arts Center GM, Bob Klaus.  “WICKED is a live entertainment experience like no other!”

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.

Grammy Award-Winning Cast recording available on Decca Broadway. For more information about WICKED log on to www.wickedthemusical.com.

About DPAC
Durham Performing Arts Center, DPAC, is a 2,700 capacity multi-use theatre featuring the hottest Broadway and family shows, high-profile concerts and unforgettable special events. DPAC is operated under the direction of Nederlander and Professional Facilities Management (PFM). Currently ranked #4 in Pollstar magazine’s Top US Theaters, DPAC has become a beacon of energy in the Triangle and the region’s new home for world-class live entertainment. The theatre is home to the SunTrust Broadway Series at DPAC with over 10,000 season ticketholders and show-stopping engagements including Broadway’s biggest blockbuster Wicked and best new musical comedy The Addams Family. Don’t miss upcoming superstar shows: 2-time Grammy® winning comedian Lewis Black, 4-time CMA female vocalist of the year Martina McBride, and more. You’ve got to be there! For more information please go to www.DPACnc.com.