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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

‘Wicked’ headlines 2010-11 Best of Broadway offerings

Hit makes Spokane debut after ‘South Pacific,’ ‘Legally Blonde’

Natalie Daradich plays Glinda in the touring production of “Wicked.” Photo courtesy of “Wicked” (Photo courtesy of “Wicked”)

“Wicked,” the Broadway smash about the land of Oz, is the headlining event of the 2010-11 Best of Broadway Series.

And Liza Minnelli is on the way, too.

“Wicked” has been a red-hot Broadway ticket since 2003, yet this will be its first visit to the Inland Northwest. The national tour hits Spokane for a two-week run, May 18-29, 2011.

WestCoast Entertainment announced the lineup Thursday and predicted that “Wicked” will sell out all 40,000 tickets.

And that’s just one show in the four-show subscription series and the nine coming to the INB Performing Arts Center.

“South Pacific,” Oct. 6-9 – This is the critically acclaimed Lincoln Center revival version of one of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s best-loved shows.

“Legally Blonde,” Feb. 10-13, 2011 – The popular musical version of the hit movie about a sorority sister who takes on Harvard Law School.

“9 to 5: The Musical,” March 24-27, 2011 – A new musical based on the hit movie about three women in a man’s corporate world.

“Wicked,” May 18-29, 2011 – The smash Stephen Schwartz musical about the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.

The above shows are part of the four-show subscription package. WestCoast Entertainment also is bringing five add-on shows that are not part of the series but can be purchased separately.

The add-on shows are:

An Evening with Liza Minnelli, Oct. 15 – The legendary entertainer will bring her latest concert extravaganza here.

Capitol Steps, Oct. 27 – The nation’s top musical-political satirists return for another evening of topical humor.

“Stomp,” Nov. 5-6 – The return of the percussion-heavy dance show featuring brooms, garbage cans and flying feet.

“Spring Awakening,” Dec. 1 – The 2007 Tony-winning Broadway smash rock musical, following a group of 19th-century German students as they come of age.

“Cats,” April 23-24, 2011 – The return of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s feline spectacle.