Theater News

Wicked to Offer Benefit Performance on October 7

Julia Murney and Kendra Kassebaum
in Wicked
(© Joan Marcus)
Julia Murney and Kendra Kassebaum
in Wicked
(© Joan Marcus)

The hit Broadway musical Wicked will offer a special benefit performance at 8pm on Sunday, October 7, with proceeds to go for the New York Restoration Project to establish an ongoing maintenance fund for the soon-to-open Friendship Community Garden. The benefit will also mark the final performances for stars Julia Murney (Elphaba) and Kendra Kassebaum (Glinda).

Designed by Edward Pierce, the show’s associate set designer, The Friendship Garden will be located on Amsterdam Avenue and West 150th Street. It will feature elements inspired by Wicked, including a yellow brick road and likenesses of the show’s characters. It will be used by the public as well as the adjacent New Heights Academy. The Garden will officially open on Sunday, October 28 at a ceremony hosted by Bette Midler, the Restoration Project’s founder and chairperson.

Based on Gregory Maguire’s novel, Wicked features a score by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. The production is directed by Joe Mantello, with musical staging by Wayne Cilento. The current cast also includes Carole Shelley (Madame Morrible), Lenny Wolpe (The Wizard), Sebastian Arcelus (Fiyero), Cristy Candler (Nessarose), Logan Lipton (Boq), and Steven Skybell (Dr. Dillamond). Tickets to the event will range from $150-$500.

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