On June 21st - 2007's longest day of the year - the Chicago company of Wicked, now the longest running Broadway show in Chicago theater history, extended its special day just a little longer as company members toasted the show's second anniversary with a late-night lake and river cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady.
After two years of sold-out shows and performing to an audience of over 2,000,000 (representing all 50 states and countries as far away as Japan and Australia), the record-breaking Chicago company of Wicked celebrated its second anniversary in the Windy City. In honor of the occasion, the Chicago company and Broadway In Chicago again hosted a public celebration at Water Tower Square Park (corner of Michigan & Pearson) on June 21st. The event marked the second annual public celebration for the blockbuster musical in Chicago.
The Chicago company is now playing in an open-run at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre, 24 West Randolph Street. Breaking multiple box office records since opening in June, 2005 and playing to packed audiences from across the world night after night, the production is the top grossing show in Chicago theatre history. Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. Directed by Joe Mantello, with musical staging by Wayne Cilento, the show is currently presented in Chicago, on Broadway at the Gershwin Theatre, on a national tour, in Los Angeles at the Pantages Theatre, and in London at the Apollo Victoria Theatre.
"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, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch."
For more information, visit www.wickedthemusical.com/chicago.
Photos by Dan Rest
Cast members from the Chicago company pose before embarking on a post-show boat cruise on the Chicago River
Chicago Cast Members Peter Ermides and Vanessa McMahon
(L-R) Chicago Cast Members Nathan Peck, Dan'yelle Williamson, Laura Pugliese, K. Todd Freeman, and Delandis pose with "First Lady" Captain Ralph Clouser
