WICKED Opens 5/8 in New Orleans

After breaking box office records and selling out in record time in 2010, WICKED, Broadway's biggest blockbuster, will return to New Orleans at the Mahalia Jackson Theater, May 8 - June 2. Tickets for the return engagement go on sale Friday, March 8 at 11 a.m.

With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, Academy Award-winner for Pocahontas and The Prince of Egypt) and book by Winnie Holzman ("My So Called Life," "Once And Again" and "thirtysomething"),WICKED, the untold story of the witches of Oz, is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello (Take Me Out, Love! Valour! Compassion!, The Vagina Monologues) and features musical staging by Tony Award winner Wayne Cilento (Aida, The Who's Tommy, How To Succeed...).

Based on the best-selling 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire, WICKED, winner of 35 major awards, including a Grammy and three Tony Awards, is the untold story of the witches of Oz. It is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.

WICKED will return to the Mahalia Jackson Theater beginning Wednesday, May 8. The performance schedule is as follows: Tuesday through Friday evenings at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m. & 7:00 p.m., and an additional matinee performance Thursday, May 9 at 2 p.m.

"After a three year hiatus, we are very excited for the return of WICKED to New Orleans, said Mahalia Jackson Theater General Manager, David Skinner. " I couldn't think of a better way to end what has been a thrilling Broadway season than close out a high-quality production such as WICKED."

Ticket prices start as low as $50 and will be available at the Mahalia Jackson Theater Box Office,BroadwayInNewOrleans.com, Ticketmaster.com/Wicked all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling 1.800.982.2787 (ARTS). Group discounts for 20 or more are available by calling 504.287.0372. Performance schedule, prices and cast are subject to change without notice. For more information, please visit WickedtheMusical.com or BroadwayInNewOrleans.com.

Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the Land of Oz. One - born with emerald-green skin - is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. WICKED tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, and how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.