Wicked Fun in the Fox Cities
Not even a pummeling of snow can slow down the momentum of Wicked’s return to the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center.
Downtown was abuzz with activity last week as the show debuted for its third run at the PAC, and even the snow that dropped in before Thursday’s performances could not slow down the crowds visiting restaurants and taverns along College Avenue before and after the show.
Tonight, as Wicked begins the second week of its three week run, Mother Nature seems intent on reminding us that winter is not yet over. Bad weather doesn’t seem to have any effect on demand or attendance for the show, though.
“We do get a lot of calls wondering if the show will go on, and it always does,” says Tara Brzozowski, director of public relations and marketing for the Fox Cities PAC.
The show is truly a Broadway spectacle to see, and there are still tickets available for the rest of its two week run. The best availability is on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursday evenings and Sunday evenings. More information on tickets can be found by visiting the PAC’s website.
For me, it was the first time seeing Wicked, so I can’t compare it to previous shows. I’m sure I would catch a lot of additonal details in a second viewing. What I can say is the production is outstanding and the cast turned in a superb performance. I particularly enjoyed the actor playing Glinda the Good. She really nails the role.
My 13 year-old son Noah was engaged for the entire performance—nearly 3 hours. I was particularly impressed with his ability to figure out which characters from Wicked would transform into characters he knew from Wizard of Oz. He quickly deduced who became the Tin Man and Scarecrow.
If your thinking about attending the show, you may want to take part in a the ticket lottery that has become part of the touring show’s tradition. Each day, starting two-and-a-half hours before show time, you can enter your name for a chance to purchase two show tickets for $25 each. The drawing takes place two hours before show time.
So far for this run, an average of 60 people a day are taking part. While it hasn’t happened yet, on previous occasions, the drawing has been conducted by a cast member in costume.
“It’s one of those traditions Wicked started doing on the road.” Brzozowski says.
Wicked runs Tonight through Sunday this week, and Tuesday through Sunday the following week. For show times, see the FOX CITIES Magazine calendar.
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