WICKED To Premiere in Singapore; Shoshana Bean Unconfirmed to Play Elphaba

New York, September 23, 2011 -- One of Broadway's current blockbusters, Wicked, will premiere at Singapore's Grand Theater, which is located at Marina Bay Sands, on December 7; its limited engagement season will run until January 29, 2012. Rumor about Broadway actress Shoshana Bean, who had performed in the Broadway production for a year, sharing the role of the green witch, Elphaba, with Australian theater actress Jemma Rix, who's currently playing Elphaba in the Australian touring production, remains unfounded; full cast will be announced soon.

Wicked tells the untold story of the Witches of Oz, based on the 1939 film musical, The Wizard of Oz, and on the 1995 George Maguire novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, in a grand scale production:  Long before Dorothy dropped in the Land of Oz, two other girls forge a heartwarming friendship: Elphaba, born with emerald green skin is smart, fiery, and misunderstood; Galinda/Glinda is beautiful, ambitious, and very popular. Wicked follows their remarkable odyssey and how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch.

"We're delighted that Singapore is now set to follow Wicked productions in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, the North American tour and London's West End," lead producers, Marc Platt and David Stone, said in a joint statement.  "This will be the first time that Wicked will visit the South East Asian region, and we're absolutely sure that Singaporeans -- and visitors from around the region -- will be just as enchanted by Wicked as the audiences are in America, England, North Asia and Australia. Platt and Stone have partnered with Singapore's Base Entertainment, founded by Brian Becker and Scott Zeiger, and Marina Bay Sands, one of the leading business, leisure and entertainment complexes in Singapore, in bringing the smash musical to Asia.

Currently playing its 8^th year at Gershwin Theatre on Broadway, Wicked's North American and international productions have comulatively grossed over $2.2 Billion and have been seen by nearly 28 million people worldwide.

Wicked features music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz ("Defying Gravity," "Popular," and "For Good" are hit songs from the musical) and book by Winnie Holzman. 

Base Entertainment and Marina Bay Sands are currently offering an early bird promotion, which gives out 15% off on tickets for Tuesday to Thursday performances.  Purchase tickets through the Internet at www.marinabaysands.com/Singapore-Entertainment/Shows/Wicked or call (+65) 6688-8826.

Photo by Jeff Busby