I guess it's official- Wicked Chicago to Close 1/2009

Posted: 5/21/08 at 10:22am

"The Chicago company of Wicked, which plays the Ford Center for the Performing Arts' Oriental Theatre, will end its lengthy run in January 2009.

The hit Stephen Schwartz-Winnie Holzman musical will play its final performance at the Ford Center January 25, 2009. When it closes, the musical will have played 1,500 performances and grossed over $200 million."
Playbill

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 10:25am

This makes me deppresificated.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 10:33am

How depressifying...

But there are lots of worse things in this world today.

[george95]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 10:42am

I'm glad Chicago can have new shows now.

[Theatreboy33]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 10:45am

It played long enough for everyone in Chicago to see it if they liked. I think that was the mission with these regional sit-down runs.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 10:50am

Congrats!

Posted: 5/21/08 at 11:09am

I'd guess they are planning at least one extension- They'll sell this block out then announce a three month extension to sell at Christmas time.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 11:21am

"I'd guess they are planning at least one extension- They'll sell this block out then announce a three month extension to sell at Christmas time."

I'm not so sure. I guess it really depends on how well the show is selling and the real reason for its closing (i.e., if its filling roughly 80-85% of the seats, is that really a reason to close it?).

Posted: 5/21/08 at 11:32am

Wow- The Tribune story quotes producers: “Wicked” is leaving while demand for tickets is still very high. While the notice of the closing is much earlier than industry standards, Stone says the decision to close up shop in January is irrevocable, even if the show were to sell every available seat for the next eight months. The last block of tickets goes on sale in August. “We fully intend to sell every seat,” Stone said. “But we’re not going to change course. We want to go out with a bang.”
Chicago Tribune Theater Loop

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 11:35am

"(i.e., if its filling roughly 80-85% of the seats, is that really a reason to close it?)"

Yeah, to make room for more shows coming to Chicago.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 12:14pm

"'We fully intend to sell every seat,' Stone said. 'But we’re not going to change course. We want to go out with a bang.'"

How else can they have a "return by popular demand" if they don't close now. I wonder if Broadway in Chicago season ticket sales have dropped substantially and they decided that the end of the contract terms with Wicked would be a way to bring in more shows. I don't know why they didn't lease the Chicago Theatre...Avenue Q would have easily fit...Jersey Boys would have fit as well.

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 2:26pm

I'm so glad Lisa and Annaleigh will get to finish out the run!

[legally_popular]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 3:10pm

Maybe I heard wrong, but I thought Lisa was only staying until August? Stephanie did imply that Annaleigh was indeed closing the show though. I really hope the both of them get to.

Edit - Nevermind, looks like Lisa will be Chicago's final Elphaba along with Annaleigh as Glinda. Congrats to them! Also, Kris Cusick as Fiyero. Updated On: 5/21/08 at 03:10 PM

[lakezurich]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 6:14pm

I am glad Kristoffer will be closing the show. IMHO he is the best looking Fiyero Wicked has had yet.

[outdamnwench]

Posted: 5/22/08 at 12:26am

Darn, I heard Brandi Chavonne Massey was going to take over eventually.

[nealb1]

Posted: 5/22/08 at 12:33am

How wonderful for "Wicked" to have had such a long and healthly run in Chicago. All of those people who went to the theatre and all of the actors, musicians, techs, crew, box office staff, theatre personnel who were employed.

And, it's a ripple effect........restaurants, hotels, bars, limo companies, etc.......

[adamgreer]

Posted: 5/22/08 at 6:48am

Am I missing something in the two linked articles? Where was it announced that Brescia, Ashford, and Kusick were closing the show?

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 5/22/08 at 8:01am

During Stephanie's speech for Annaleigh she said that she would be closing out the show in Chicago and during David's speech for Lisa he said that she was gonna be there for 6 months which takes her to Jan. So I'm guessing that's how people are coming up with it. I have know clue how Kris fits into it though since I didn't hear his speech or if he even got one...LOL

[adamgreer]

Posted: 5/22/08 at 10:15am

Oh ok. Got it. Thanks!

[SpellingBeeFan4Ever]

Posted: 5/22/08 at 10:19am

We're running out of theatres.

Soon Mary Poppins will be going into our best theatre.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 5/22/08 at 10:38am

"Soon Mary Poppins will be going into our best theatre."

No it won't. It's going into the Palace. :o)

Mary Poppins isn't open-ended. Disney has it scheduled for about four months before its next stop.

[legally_popular]

Posted: 5/22/08 at 12:39pm

"Am I missing something in the two linked articles? Where was it announced that Brescia, Ashford, and Kusick were closing the show? "

I don't think either one of them were officially announced as being the final cast, but what DefyGravity777 said... it was mentioned in their speeches about Lisa and Annaleigh. For Kusick, he confirmed it over in LA to people at the SD that he would be closing out the Chicago production (His last day in LA was the 11th).

[jessica0414]

Posted: 5/22/08 at 12:57pm

I'm also glad Kristoffer will be coming back! The show, imo, was not the same (in Chicago, at least) without him. Hooray!

[legally_popular]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 1:00am

I posted a few days ago that Lisa and Annaleigh were closing the show, or so I thought... to add more confusion...
Dee Roscioli is leaving the Wicked Chicago production June 1st, but is returning two months later. I only heard this from a friend, I couldn’t find the Playbill article but there supposedly is confirmation on this by Playbill and confirmation by Dee herself online (does she have a blog or a site somewhere?). Looks like Lisa is only staying still August. (Why did David say 6 months?)

And I still don’t know about Annaleigh... she probably is either only staying ‘til August with Lisa or staying 'til the end with Dee (Steph's speech implied both which doesn't make sense, lol). So Chicago’s final duo will either be Dee and Annaleigh or Dee and someone else.


Updated On: 5/26/08 at 01:00 AM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 5/26/08 at 1:14am

Well, Julie Reiber has on her official site that she's only with the Broadway company until September 21, to "cover Lisa while she goes to Chicago."

So, it sounds, from reading that, as if Lisa is coming back to the Broadway company at the end of September.