"Wicked" headlines new Mann Broadway Series
FLORIDA WEEKLY STAFF

"Wicked" is coming to the Mann.

"Wicked," the smash Broadway hit that tells the untold story of the Witches of Oz, headlines the 2008-09 Broadway Series at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall.

Besides "Wicked," one of the toughest tickets to get in New York, the series will feature "Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street," "Rain - the Beatles Experience," a remake of "The Pajama Game," and Chaim Topol, the original Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof."

"'Wicked' is the only Broadway show I've seen where the audience gave a standing ovation - at intermission," said Scott Saxon, Mann's general manager. "Wicked" will be at the Mann for three weeks beginning March 7.

“The Southwest Florida premiere of “Wicked” has been on e of the most eagerly anticipated musical events since Lion King,” Saxon said. “As a winner of 15 major awards, it continues to work its magic on audiences everywhere.”

COURTESY PHOTO Fiddler on the Roof (April 21-26).

Long before Dorothy and Toto dropped in on Munchkinland two girls met in the land of Oz. One, born with emerald skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. How the girls grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch is the untold story of “Wicked."

The rest of the series looks like this:

Rain (Jan. 13-18) - They look like them and they sound just like them. “The next best thing to seeing The Beatles,” raves the Denver Post. All the music and vocals are performed totally live.  “Rain” covers the Fab Four from the earliest beginnings through the psychedelic late 60s and their long-haired hippie, hard-rocking rooftop days.

Sweeney Todd (Jan. 27-Feb. 1) - Experience, live on stage, the musical that inspired the Tim Burton and Johnny Depp movie.  When the infamous demon barber takes up with his crafty neighbor, Mrs. Lovett, the two embark on a delicious plot to slice their way through London’s upper crust. Justice is served—along with lush melody, audacious humor and hair-raising excitement.

COURTESY PHOTO Rain (Jan. 13-18).

The Pajama Game (Feb. 10-15) - Bright and riotously funny, this fast-paced, frisky tale is theatre at its very best with this sparkling, all-new production of the Tony Award-winning, Broadway smash hit. The feisty employee representative has found her match in the pajama shop superintendent and when the two get together, they wind up discussing a whole lot more than job actions.

Fiddler on the Roof (A April 21-26) - In what is a huge theatrical feat feat, audiences will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the original Tevye, Chaim Topol, perform the role that made him legendary with his award winning portrayal.

Subscriptions for the 2008-2009 Broadway Series; which range in price from $128 to $378 are available at the Mann Box Office or by calling (239) 481-4849. Group sales are available by calling (239) 489-3033 extension 3122.

COURTESY PHOTO Sweeney Todd (Jan. 27-Feb. 1).

The Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall is located on the campus of Edison College and is managed for the College by Professional Facilities Management.