Wicked in Manila!

MANILA, Philippines - The Broadway musical Wicked is set to cast its spell in Manila when it opens on Jan. 22, 2014 at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. 

Winner of 50 major awards including a Grammy, three Tony Awards and six Helpmann Awards, Wicked is a re-imagining of the stories and characters created by L. Frank Baum in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. It is the tale of the Witches of Oz, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good. 

Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked features music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, Academy Award winner for Pocahontas and The Prince of Egypt) and a book by Winnie Holzman (My So-Called Life, Once and Again and Thirtysomething). The production’s musical staging is by Wayne Cliento. It is directed by Lisa Leguillou, based on the original direction by Joe Mantello. The musical features 200 costumes designed by Tony awardee Susan Hilferty and a set by Tony awardee Eugene Lee. 

Wicked has been seen by over seven million people on Broadway since it opened in October 2003.  It also holds the record for the highest grossing week in London’s West End where it is approaching its eighth year.

Manila audience will be treated to performances by Australian entertainers Jemma Rix and Suzie Mathers who play the leading roles. Rix garnered a Helpmann Award nomination in 2011 for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her turn as Elphaba in Wicked, while Mathers was nominated as Best Newcomer at the 2009 Sydney Theatre Awards.

Producers Marc Platt and David Stone said, “As Wicked prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary on Broadway, we are very excited to add Manila to the long list of international cities that have welcomed the show.” Producer James Cundall, CEO of Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, said, “It is a privilege to present Wicked in Manila. It is a unique musical created for the 21st century audience, which I know will warm the hearts of Filipino theater-goers.” Lunchbox Theatrical Productions has brought Cats, The Phantom of the Opera and Mamma Mia! to Manila.

Executive producer of Concertus Manila Bambi Rivera-Verzo shared, “When Wicked premiered in Singapore in 2011, a lot of Filipinos flew there to catch the show, and that’s a good indicator of how ready local theater audiences are for the musical to cast its spell in Manila.”

New Smart Infinity subscribers will receive two VIP orchestra tickets and a premium device when they subscribe to Prestige Plan 5000 or Premium Plan 8000 until Nov. 30. Smart Infinity is also offering its subscribers a 10-percent saving on tickets until Sept. 15. As a presenting partner, Visa is offering its cardholders an automatic 10-percent saving on published ticket prices if they buy during the exclusive pre-selling until Sept. 15.

TicketWorld is also proud to offer Emerald Evenings, a special corporate package that includes cocktails and snacks before the start of the show. Companies may avail of Spellbound Suites, a full season Parterre Box booking that will charm VIPs with the best seats every night. For family and friends they may book a Popular Box of six lower box seats, originally priced at P 4,500 each, for only P 25,000.

(The Philippine season of Wicked is produced by Marc Platt, David Stone, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and John Frost. It is presented by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, David Atkins Enterprises, 105.9 Radio High and Concertus in association with Wicked Worldwide. Its presenting sponsors are Smart Infinity and Visa. Other major sponsors are Diamond Hotel and OOCL. For more information, visit www.wickedthemusical.com.ph.)

(Tickets are available at TicketWorld, call 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.)