What’s Happening in Tempe this Week – WICKED Returns to ASU Gammage
Posted by: Nancy
February 14, 2012
WICKED is back by popular demand at ASU Gammage, February 15-March 11. The musical takes place before Dorothy from Kansas arrives in Oz. It’s told from the perspective of the witches of the Land of Oz: Elphaba, the misunderstood girl with emerald-green skin, and Glinda, the beautiful, ambitious and popular blonde. The story follows the friendship that evolves between the two as they grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.
Since opening in 2003, WICKED has won 35 major awards, including a Grammy and three Tony® Awards. The New York Times named WICKED the defining musical of the decade and Entertainment Weekly called it “the best musical of the decade.” I saw WICKED when it was at ASU Gammage in 2009 and it exceeded my expectations 100 fold. I loved everything about it from the lush production to the beautiful music to its moving, but never maudlin message. In 2009 it broke box office records at ASU Gammage and sold out in record time. So, don’t wait to get your tickets or you might miss out.
The arts and entertainment scene in Tempe is just plain wicked good in every way in the week ahead. Check out this line-up, get off your couch and enjoy some of what’s happening in Tempe this week.
- February 14: Valentine’s Day Comedy Crush, Tempe Improv
- February 15-March 11: WICKED, ASU Gammage
- February 15: Stan Sorenson & Guitar Legend Jack Peterson, Dave’s Electric Brew Pub
- February 15: Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic, Tempe Center for the Arts
- February 16: Third Thursday on Mill Presents Geeks Night Out, Mill Avenue District
- February 16: Improv at the Improv; February 17 & 18: Tom Green, Tempe Improv
- February 16: Avante-Garden: Bolivia, Desert Botanical Garden
- February 16-19: ASU Herberger Institute for Design & the Arts Presents Untold Stories/Unsung Heroes, Lyceum Theater
- February 17: ASU Herberger Institute for Design & the Arts Presents Maximo Diego Pujol, Guitar, Katzin Concert Hall
- February 17: Lakeshore Jazz Series: Benny Green Trio, Tempe Center for the Arts
- February 17: The Sullivans; February 18: Take Cover, Rula Bula Irish Pub
- February 17: Jed’s A Millionaire; February 18: Hello Swindon, Tempe MarketplaceDistrict Stage
- February 17: Tony Putrino; February 18: Just Jade, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain
- February 17- March 2: Childsplay Presents Rock the Presidents, Tempe Center for the Arts
- February 17 – March 3: Stray Cat Theatre Presents: The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Tempe Center for the Performing Arts
- February 18: Bully Mammoth, Tempe Center for the Arts
- February 19: Winter Music in the Garden: Chris Burton Jácome, Desert Botanical Gardens
