Witchy Women Turn One Today

By Justin Sondak in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 20, 2006 12:40PM

The Chicago production of Wicked marks its one year anniversary today. Sigh…

We know we’re not part of this show’s target audience, just as we know our criticism won’t really affect whether or not you go see it. For a moment we’ll forget about that irretrievable night we spent in the Oriental Theater and say a kind word about the show’s marketing.

It’s brilliant. Their relentless campaign taps into everything that makes their core audience of teenage girls go wild: sisterhood, gossip, fabulous makeup, and the need to feel part of the ‘in’ crowd. The TV commercials remind you how sorry you’ll be if you miss this once in a lifetime opportunity (or more accurately, the eight times per week opportunity) to see the show everyone’s talking about! Fans line up at the Borders next door to enter a drawing for the privilege of obtaining $25 front orchestra seats, winners react as if they were handed Willy Wonka’s golden ticket. We’ll even give the Wicked empire credit for casting the mercurial Ana Gasteyer and then shifting their casts around enough to create fresh buzz for the ravenous cult.

So if you’re a fan of Elphaba, get yourself down to Water Tower Square Park (at Michigan and Pearson) this afternoon at 12:30 to celebrate and sing along. The first 365 people dedicated enough to arrive in witch costume and face makeup will win a pair of tickets to a future performance.

Image via Broadway in Chicago