Photo Coverage: WICKED Holds Press Preview in Manila

At a press conference, Executive Producer Bernadette Hayes said Broadway icon Stephen Schwartz, WICKED's composer and lyricist, will attend the show's benefit performance for the survivors of super typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) on Friday, January 31 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

By Rocky Christopher Fajardo

Manila Philippines, January 25, 2014-- Witches of Oz Elphaba and Glinda finally made their Manila debut as the much-anticipated premiere of the blockbuster megamusical WICKED opened its doors to the Philippine press for a special preview on Thursday, January 23. Brought to the Philippines by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, Concertus Manila, David Atkins Enterprises, and 105.9 Radio High, alongside presenters VISA and Smart Infinity, WICKED's press preview featured four musical numbers from the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical.

The preview opened with no less than Jemma Rix's Elphaba performing her quest anthem "The Wizard and I"; followed by Steve Danielsen's Fiyero and Suzie Mathers' Glinda (with full ensemble cast) in the rambunctious romp of "Dancing Through Life." The quirky antics of Mather's in her ditzy rendition of Glinda's "Popular" also gave the audience a glimpse into the kindling of a friendship of opposites between the two witches. As a finale to the preview, the entire cast took over the WICKED stage for their performance of "One Short Day," set in Emerald City, intricately crafted by Set Designer Eugene Lee.

Based on the 1995 book "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" by Gregory Maguire, the musical adaptation features music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman. WICKED has been warming the hearts of theatergoers for 10 years since its Broadway premiere at the Gershwin Theatre in 2003.

Perhaps with one of the most intricate stage lighting designs and stage directions to date, the well-loved musical also features elaborate, fully-automated sets that can transform into 54 different locations and scenes. This Australasian touring production of WICKED overcame herculean feats to magically transport the authentic feel and look of the original Broadway production to its Manila home--the Cultural Center of the Philippines--employing no less than 23 container trucks to accommodate the expansive sets, sophisticated lighting and mounting rigs, and the two-million dollars' worth of costumes, including an extensive collection of wigs, stage props, and production equipment.

The principal cast, select members of the creative and production team, headed by Bernadette Hayes, together with locally-hired orchestra musicians, also answered questions from the media during the brief press conference that followed shortly after the preview. Hayes confirmed that multi-awarded composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz will be in full support and in attendance during the benefit performance of WICKED and the special auction that will be held after the matinee show on Friday, January 31; proceeds of which will go to humanitarian programs aiding victims and survivors of super typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda).

More information on the benefit performance and special auction are available on WICKED's official website: wickedthemusical.com.ph.

Photos by Chriselle Fajardo