Chicago Wicked Cast Performs Good Deeds with Habitat for Humanity House
By: BWW News Desk Jan. 18, 2006
"Their efforts helped complete the painting project started just a few days earlier by Chicago Bulls' Eddie Basden, guard; Andres Nocioni, forward; Jannero Pargo, guard; and Michael Sweetney, forward," according to press notes. "The accolades that come from performing in the record-breaking production of Wicked are truly magnificent," said cast member Don Richard, "but by participating in projects like Habitat for Humanity, we feel more greatly rewarded-because we're able to give back to the community that so strongly supports us."
In addition to this event, the cast and crew of Wicked remain dedicated to Chicago and look forward to similar partnerships and outreach events as they continue their residency here. The cast was involved in a number of recent activities, including a successful cabaret benefit performance, There's No Place Like Home, which also aided Habitat for Humanity, as well as the victims of Hurricane Katrina; partnering with Crunch Fitness on Wicked-inspired yoga classes, featuring the 'Defying Gravity' yoga pose; raising over $214,000 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS during an annual Broadway fundraising campaign, and decking the halls of area hospitals over the holidays, while singing carols at both Children's Memorial and Northwestern hospitals.The Chicago company of Wicked is now playing the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St. The show currently stars Ana Gasteyer and Kate Reinders as Elphaba and Glinda; they will be replaced by Kristy Cates and Stacie Morgain Lewis on January 24th. The show also stars Rondi Reed as Madame Morrible, Heidi Kettenring as Nessarose, Gene Weygandt as The Wizard, Telly Leung as Boq, Steven Skybell as Doctor Dillamond, and Kristoffer Cusick as Fiyero.Wicked, winner of 15 major awards including the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards, is the untold story of the witches of Oz. "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."
Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, the show boasts music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin) and a book by Winnie Holzman ("My So Called Life"). The show is directed by Tony award winner Joe Mantello (Assassins, Take Me Out) with musical staging by Tony Award-winner Wayne Cilento (Aida, The Who's Tommy). Wicked features sets by Tony Award winner Eugene Lee (Sweeney Todd), costumes by Tony Award-winner Susan Hilferty (Into the Woods), lighting by Kenneth Posner (Hairspray) and sound design by Tony Meola (The Lion King).
Wicked opened on Broadway (where it continues to be the top-grossing show) on October 30th, 2003 with Tony Award-winner Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth as the respective green and pink witches. Eden Espinosa and Megan Hilty currently star in the show on Broadway, while Stephanie J. Block and Kendra Kassebaum headline a national tour that is currently circling the country.
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