The contest, which was held at various locations in the tri-state area, required entrants to sing a tune from the hit Stephen Schwartz musical. Finalists were chosen at each location, and this select group will participate in the contest finals Oct. 30. Recording artist Rihanna will join Wicked co-stars Shoshana Bean and Megan Hilty as well as casting agent Bernie Telsey and Miss USA Chelsea Cooley as judges for the contest, which will be held from 12:30-1:15 PM. The Grand Prize winner will receive three tickets to the musical, dinner, limousine service, hotel accommodations, Wicked merchandise and a backstage tour at the Gershwin Theatre.

The Wicked Day Block Party, which begins at 11 AM, will also include games and refreshments. Admission to the event, which celebrates the musical's second year on Broadway, is free.

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 — continues to play the Gershwin Theatre. Tickets are available by calling (212) 307-4100 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com.

The Gershwin Theatre is located at 222 West 51st Street, between Eighth Avenue and Broadway.