Complete Casting Set for Los Angeles' Wicked; Begins 2/10

Complete casting has been announced for the upcoming Los Angeles sit-down production of Wicked, which will begin previews on February 10, 2007 at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood.

Joining the cast are: Matthew Stocke as the Witch's Father, Gina Starbuck as the Witch's Mother, Linda Kerns as the Midwife and Peter John Chursin as the Chistery, with Angela Ara Brown, Dioni Michelle Collins, Courtney Corey, Michael Drolet, Melissa Fahn, Amanda Flynn, D.J. Gregory, Zach Hensler, Lindsay Janisse, Adam Lambert, Alexander Selma, Terrance Spencer, Eric Stretch and Brooke Wendle among the ensemble.  In addition, Julie Reiber will be the standby for Elphaba, with Emily Rozek standing by as Glinda.

Wicked will star the previously announced Eden Espinosa (Wicked on Broadway, Brooklyn) as Elphaba, Megan Hilty (Wicked on Broadway) as Glinda, Carol Kane (Wicked on Broadway, Sly Fox) as Madame Morrible, Tony Award-winner John Rubinstein (Pippin, Children of a Lesser God) as the Wizard, Kristoffer Cusick (Wicked in Chicago) as Fiyero, Jenna Leigh Green (Wicked on Broadway) as Nessarose, Timothy Britten Parker (Wicked tour, Rent) as Dr. Dillamond and Adam Wiley as Boq.

Wicked has been sold out at virtually every performance on Broadway, since having its official opening at the Gershwin Theatre on October 30, 2003.  Last summer, it was completely sold out during its seven-week run at the Pantages Theatre in L.A.

Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, the show has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman.  Directed by Joe Mantello, with musical staging by Wayne Cilento, Wicked is also currently being presented on Broadway, on a National Tour, and in a separate, open-ended engagement at Chicago's Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre.  The London production opened on September 27 and is currently playing to capacity crowds 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," state notes.

Tickets for Wicked in LA also go on sale Monday, October 30 online at www.broadwayla.org, by phone at 213-365-3500 or 714-740-7878, in person at the Pantages Theatre Box Office, or at any Ticketmaster outlet.  Groups of fifteen (15) or more can call 866-755-3075.

Photo by Joan Marcus