Block portrays the green-faced, misunderstood Elphaba in the hit musical, which begins its run at Denver's Buell Theatre Sept. 16. Co-starring Kendra Kassebaum as the golden-locked Glinda, Wicked will play the Denver theatre through Oct. 2.
Although the entire Denver run has already sold out, there will be a chance to purchase orchestra seats to the hit musical through a daily lottery. The lottery will begin two-and-a-half hours prior to showtime. Those wishing to win tickets will be asked to place their names in a barrel, and names will be drawn 30 minutes later. Twenty-four seats, which will be sold at $25 each, will be available for every performance. There is a two-ticket limit for lottery winners, who must pay in cash.
The touring company of Wicked also includes David Garrison (the Wizard), Carol Kane (Madame Morrible), Derrick Williams (Fiyero), Jenna Leigh Green (Nessarose), Logan Lipton (Boq) and Timothy Britten Parker (Dr. Dillamond).
The Wicked ensemble comprises Katie Adams, Timothy Anderson, Terra Lynn Arrington, Aaron Albano, Peter John Chursin, Matt Clemons, Nicholas Drommard, Laura Dysarczyk, Maria Eberline, Brooke Elliott, Lori Holmes, Adam Lambert, KW Miller, Kristen Oei, Chris Peluso, Don Richard, Emily Rozek, Chris Russo, Brian Slaman, James Tabeek, Barbara Tirrell, Brooke Wendle and Nicole Winhoffer.
Based on Gregory Maguire's novel, which turned every Oz myth inside out, Wicked explores the early life of the witches of Oz: Glinda and Elphaba. The two main characters meet at Shiz, a school where both hope to take up sorcery. Glinda is madly popular and Elphaba is, well, green. By a misunderstanding, they wind up roommates and, after an initial period of mutual loathing, begin to learn something about each other. Their life paths continue to intersect through a shared love, entry into the Emerald City and interaction with the Wizard himself. Eventually, their choices and convictions take them on widely different paths. Wicked, with a book by Winnie Holzman, began previews on Broadway Oct. 8, 2003, with an official opening Oct. 30, 2003. The Broadway company — directed by Joe Mantello, who repeats his duties for the tour — continues to play the Gershwin Theatre.
Wicked will play Denver's Buell Theatre Tuesdays-Fridays at 8 PM, Saturdays at 2 and 8 PM and Sundays at 2 and 7:30 PM. The Sept. 16 curtain is set for 7 PM.
Denver Center Attractions is presenting the Wicked engagement at the Buell. For updated information call (303) 893-4100 or (800) 641-1222. Visit www.denvercenter.org for more information.
For more information about Wicked visit www.wickedthemusical.com.
