Denver Center season will fly high with return of Wicked

When news broke that Denver would be the starting line for the Tony Award winning musical Book of Mormon in 2012, few could have imagined the Denver Center Attractions season could get any better.

Well, it didn’t. But it did get a whole lot more “wicked.”

That’s right, Wicked, the timeless story of the little green girl who would go on to be one of the most iconic villains of all time, will return to Denver April 11 for its fourth encore performance at The Buell Theatre. Winner of 35 major awards, including three Tonys, Wicked, has been Broadway’s biggest blockbuster since The Phantom of the Opera.

“It’s (ironically) a positive role model story,” said Denver Center’s Chief Operating Officer Randy Weeks.
But, the musicals true success comes from the fact that the touring company and its producers spend a great deal of time paying attention to the smallest details in order to protect the integrity of the show, Weeks said.

“Every detail is constantly looked after,” he said.

The 2012 season will also include Bring It On: The Musical, The Addams Family, Memphis, and La Gage Aux Folles.

Debuting January 10, Bring It On is not an adaptation of the 2000 teen movie, rather a new musical that raises the stakes on over-the-top high school rivalries.

The Addams Family musical was a Broadway flop with the critics, but regularly played to capacity. Was it the star power of Nathan Lane who stared in the New York version, or was it the music, story and novelty? Weeks is certain with proper casting the dark comedy featuring Gomez, Morticia and Co. will resonate with Denver’s audience.

“I know they’re working on casting right now, it’s so important,” he said. But added, “that’s true with any musical.”
Inspired by a true story, Memphis, is the story of a white radio DJ who wants to change the world and a black club singer who is ready for her big break.

Winner of the 2010 Tony for best musical, Memphis, will have the Buell rocking.

La Cage Aux Folles will return to the Mile High City in 2012 with more Tonys under its belt. Or should we say, boa? The hilarious camp musical – the inspiration for The Bird Cage – will play Sept. 4. This tuneful tale of one family’s struggle to stay together will leave you laughing and crying all the way home.