Wicked to Close Its Curtains in San Francisco
The record breaking run of “Wicked” in San Francisco is coming to a close. The return engagement for the incredibly popular prequel to the “Wizard of Oz” will be closing on September 5, following 660 performances in San Francisco, the city where “Wicked” first was born and got its start.
Theater officials are saying that the blockbuster musical needs to close in order to make room for a “West Side Story” revival along with other touring shows that part of this fall’s Best of Broadway/SHN series. Over 1 million theatergoers in San Francisco so far have have seen “Wicked” The production started in January 2009. To date the musical has grossed over $75 million.
“The Phantom of the Opera” had a run in San Francisco of five years. It is still the record holder for the longest run in San Francisco for a Broadway musical.
Entertainment Weekly dubbed “Wicked” as the decade’s best musical. In 2003 the musical’s world premiere took place in San Francisco. The girl power revamped story of L. Frank Baum’s fiction, “Wicked” has its basis in the popular Gregory Maguire novel. Lyrics and music are from Stephen Schwartz.
“Wicked” tickets are on sale, ranging in price from $30-$99, until September 5. The musical is playing at Orpheum Theatre.
All photos made available via creative commons licensing courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.