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WICKED SISTER |
By John Sullivan
 Like
the tornado that took Dorothy from Kansas to
Oz, Stefanie Brown is a force to be reckoned
with when she takes the stage and begins to
sing. But unlike that same tornado, the one
that landed a farmhouse squarely on top of
the Wicked Witch of the East, Stefanie
brings new life to the role of Nessarose,
Elphaba's not-so-green yet equally afflicted
sister in Wicked.
Stefanie was gracious enough to take the
time to answer our questions in between
performances in what many are calling the
Broadway musical of the decade. She was
happy to talk about her yellow brick
road-like journey from her first stage role
as Dorothy at age eight to touring the
country with the gravity-defying musical
back story of the witches of Oz.
Oh, yeah, and her little dog, too!
You made your stage debut at age
eight playing Dorothy in a school production
of The Wizard of Oz and now you are playing
Nessarose, the Wicked Witch of the East, in
Wicked. What has the journey from there to
here been like for you and what are the most
important things you have learned about your
craft?
As corny as it might sound, my journey has
been a little like the yellow brick road, on
my way to pursuing my dream (The Emerald
City). Of course you have to make a few pit
stops where you meet and work with different
people, learn new things (Scarecrow, Tin
Man, Lion) and then you hit a few bumps on
the way (The Wicked Witch) but I feel like I
have definitely entered the gates to Oz. I
have learned so much along the way I can not
begin to describe it all but I have to thank
every one along the way and every experience
that I have for making me the performer I am
today. I think the most important thing I
have learned is to be yourself and to except
that every performance is different and you
have good and bad shows and that's ok. Most
performers are such perfectionists they go
crazy making sure everything is perfect
during a performance, but I have learned it
shouldn't be perfect or it wouldn't be live
theatre.
When did you first hear about
Wicked and how did you eventually come to
be a part of one of the most popular
Broadway shows of all time?
It is so funny because I remember hearing
the buzz of the new Broadway musical called
Wicked when I was senior in High
school. I bought the cast album and listened
to it literally non-stop. Then for spring
break my senior year, I took a school
theatre trip to New York, where on one of
our free nights, my parents surprised me
with tickets to go see it. I sat there in
the audience, tears filling my eyes the
entire time. It instantly became my favorite
musical and I promised myself that one day I
would audition for it. Then as fate had it,
4 and half years later, I found myself at a
final callback in New York for the
ensemble/Glinda cover for the National tour.
I still look back and think, "I can't
believe I got it".
Having been in both the roles of
Glinda and Nessa, which of these characters
do you think you are most like or relate to
more?
I relate to both of them, I don't think I am
entirely like one or the other. I think I
have Glinda's bubbly-ness, her tendency
towards being a space cadet, her ambition,
and I definitely think I have her kindness.
I also have Nessa's emotional side,
innocence, and although I hate to admit it,
but at times I pick up her selfishness.
What do you think it is about this
show that has kept audiences coming back
again and again?
I think that this story has such an amazing
message. It has something for everyone.
Every single audience member can walk away
being touched by these characters. I also
think it's popular because it plays off one
of the most popular movies of all time, The
Wizard of Oz.
What are some of the other roles that
you have played and really enjoyed? What
roles have you not played but would like to?
I loved playing Hope in Urinetown,
and Belle in Beauty and the Beast.
Both had such fun ranges and stories to
tell. I have a big list of dream roles I
would like to play. Some of them include:
Christine in Phantom of the Opera,
any character in Les Mis, Ariel in
The Little Mermaid, and Louise in
Gypsy.
What are your top three all time
favorite show tunes?
This is a hard question! I guess they would
be "One Day More" from Les Mis, "Part
of Your World" from The Little Mermaid,
and (I hate to say it but it still remains
one of my favorites) "Defying Gravity" from
Wicked. However a big honorable
mention to both Thoroughly Modern Millie,
and Phantom of the Opera.
Does your adorable Jack Russell
Terrier Zoey go on the road with you? What
is that like and do you ever get used to
living in hotels and moving from city to
city all the time?
She does travel with me!! I didn't have her
during my first round of tour and I always
felt like something was missing. My second
round, I had just gotten her (at 8 weeks)
and I knew she would fill the hole in my
tour heart. I love it because there is never
a lonely moment, whenever I begin to miss my
family or boyfriend, I cuddle with her. At
times it is hard for her to get used to a
new environment every month but for the most
part she does pretty well. It does sometimes
get a little hard in the hotels but we all
try to travel with some personal belongings
we like to put out to make it feel more like
home.
You
have been in Orlando for a few weeks now. Is
this your first time here and what are some
of the things you have enjoyed about our
city?
This is actually my second time in Orlando,
however the first time I primarily stayed in
the Disney World area. This is the first
time I have been able to live and explore
the city. So far, I have really enjoyed the
sunny weather! Of course you have to love
all the theme parks, and I have had a lot of
fun visiting those. I have been good about
trying to eat at home so I haven't really
gone out to experience the restaurant scene
yet, but my food has got to run out
sometime. Any recommendations?
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National Touring Company WICKED To
Host Jazz Cabaret |
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On Monday, March 14, the National Touring
Company of WICKED will host "Our
Wicked Romance" - a Jazz Cabaret at
THE MEZZ. The event will feature cast
and crew members of the company. The net
proceeds of this event will benefit
BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS, and
THE ORANGE COUNTY ARTS EDUCATION CENTER.
The evening is an opportunity for members of
the WICKED cast to step out of their
roles in the hit musical, and is produced
by, and features members of the cast of the
touring production in music, dance, and
comedy. The cabaret performers include
Stefanie Brown (Nessarose), Paul Slade Smith
(Dr. Dillamond), Justin Brill (Boq), and
Mariand Torres (Elphaba Standby). In
addition, there will be a silent auction of
items, including unique Wicked
memorabilia, and ARTS AROUND ORLANDO
premium packages, and a live auction of
several opportunities to join the company
backstage, including a chance to bid on a
walk-on role in WICKED.
OUR WICKED ROMANCE is part of
an ongoing series of performances by the
touring company throughout the country to
support charitable causes which advance
WICKED's theme of acceptance, and
illuminate the musical's message that people
should not be judged on first impressions.
The company believes that in these divisive
times we must come together to support those
in need throughout the country, and around
the world. In its 5 years on the road, the
company has raised well over a million
dollars in donations to BROADWAY
CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS and local AIDS
Services organizations all over the country,
as well as other educational, charitable,
and humanitarian causes.
Our Wicked Romance
Monday, March 14
7:30 PM
$45 and up:
407-540-9916
Or
www.ocaec.org
THE MEZZ
100
South Eola Drive
Downtown Orlando
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
(BC/EFA) is the nation's leading
industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fund raising
and grant making organization. BC/EFA is
the on-going, committed response from the
American theater community to an urgent
worldwide health crisis. By drawing upon the
talents, resources, and generosity of this
community, BC/EFA raises funds for
AIDS-related causes across the United
States. Since its founding in 1988, BC/EFA
has raised over $150 million for critically
needed services for people with AIDS, HIV,
and other serious illnesses.
www.broadwaycares.org.
The MEZZ is urban elegance, and the
newest downtown destination for distinctive
corporate meetings, elegant weddings,
unforgettable community events, and private
functions that demand a unique and unmatched
setting. The MEZZ is owned by Florida
Theatrical Association, the non-profit
presenter of Broadway in Orlando, Fort
Lauderdale, and Miami, and TRUE Marketing, a
local entertainment marketing firm.
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Pictures of the Week |
Memories From Along The Old
Orange Blossom Trail:
Edition #1
WIGWAM VILLAGE MOTEL
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Boasting 27 one- (round)-room Tee
Pees, The Wigwam Village was
Orlando's largest Motel when HWY 441
was the main pre-I-4 tourist
corridor. |
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One of the great selling features:
Each "Tee Pee" had a coin operated
radio in it; one half hour of
transmission for one thin dime! |
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The family favorite 27-room Wigwam
Village located at what is now the
intersection of "The Trail," and the
408 fly-over (700 N. OBT) was
replaced by a 300-room Days Inn.
That structure still exists,
operating under the name - Orlando
Vacation Lodge - now very popular
with truckers and prostitutes. |
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Now on Sale! |
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LAUGHING WILD
LIMITED ENGAGEMENT
2 SHOWS ONLY
Sunday, March 20 at 6 PM
Monday, March 28 at 8 PM
Tickets
$10 advance
$12 at the door
Reservations: 407.540.0317
Reservations required for lower ticket
price
Last messages taken from line
at 4:30 PM on show days for Reserved Seating
Best seats assigned in order calls are
received
Walk ups
welcome - self seating - if available
Friday, March 25:
ONE SHOW ONLY
Direct from NYC
NICE JEWISH GIRLS GONE BAD
Schitcking To The Man Since 2003
Reservations: 407.540.0317
Reservations required for lower ticket
price
Last messages taken from line
at 4:30 PM on show days for Reserved Seating
Best seats assigned in order calls are
received
Walk ups welcome - self seating - if
available
TOMORROW
And Every Saturday
Free Admission
Includes Complimentary Cover for Remainder
of the Evening!
Join the world wide conversation
Bring your laptop / iPad
FREE WI-FI
Reservations: 407.540.0317
Last messages taken from line
at 4:30 PM on show days for Reserved Seating
Best seats assigned in order calls are
received
Walk ups
welcome - self seating - if available
Watch live from around the world - on
line:
http://www.blogtv.com/People/stirfryTV
BOX
OFFICE/RESERVATIONS ADVISORY We
are pleased to announce the WANZIE.com On
Line Box Office is under reconstruction by
talented programmer Billy Sisco, and will
soon be re-launched with a fully automated,
inventory controlled seating chart for
easier seat selection and instant seat
number verification. In the meantime,
advance ticket savings and
guaranteed-admission reservations for all
shows listed in this section may be arranged
by dialing: 407.540.0317 - any day
-at any time - up until 4:30 PM on day of
show.
CHECK OUT OUR BEAUTIFUL COMPANION
FOOTLIGHT THEATRE WEBSITE
Created by our good friend
Doug Fish:
http://www.footlighttheatre.com |
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Advertisers |
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TONIGHT!! @ 8 PM
(Friday, March 11)
Jeff
Jones & Carol Lee
Return for The Nearlywed Game
Jeff Jones and Carol Lee return for their
monthly installment of The Nearlywed Game.
This is a fun and new twist of the classic
TV Game Show, The Newlywed Game. Each month,
six same-sex couples will compete to see who
knows, or thinks they know, each other the
best. The couple with the most matching
answers will win fabulous prizes. The big
difference between this version and classic
show is that no subject is off limits. There
will be two rounds. The first will feature
couples, the second will be the popular Fags
& Hags round. This show will consist of
mature content and not for the faint of
heart. Couples interested in competing
should apply in advance by emailing
jeff@molaughscomedy.com
The event will kick off at 8pm and there is
no cover. Full food and bar menu will be
available and served during the show.
Reservations strongly suggested.
Hamburger Mary's Orlando
110 W Church St Unit H
Orlando, FL
321-319-0600
A complete brochure and information are
available by contacting
www.ALandCHUCK.travel
or by calling 866-949-1429
Just prior to the launch party at Taste,
you can enjoy Amy as the inaugural Musical
Guest Star on stirfryTV LIVE! - at the PH
that very same evening at 8 PM - FREE
ADMISSION
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We've Got Mail!
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We at
the WANZeGRAM are always just as
pleased as punch to receive, post,
and answer our mail in this public
forum. But it takes two to play!
Send your email to WANZIE! email
wanziemichael@yahoo.com
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Short Takes:
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"It is what you read when you don't have to
that determines what you will be when you
can't help it."
- Oscar Wilde
Submit Your Short Take directly to
WANZIE at wanziemichael@yahoo.com.Be
sure to type "Short Take" in the subject
line. Short Takes submissions must be
received no later than midnight on each
Tuesday, for inclusion in the following
Friday GRAM. A strict limit of 30 words
maximum is imposed. You must provide
your first and last name, which will be
printed following your submission. Your
name will not figure into your word
count. All postings will be at the sole
discretion of the management team at the
lovely WANZIE.com World Headquarters,
with offices inconveniently located in
Melbourne, and Lake Mary, Florida.
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My Two Cents:
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Submit YOUR TWO CENTS: My Two Cents
submissions must be received no
later than midnight on each Monday
for possible inclusion in the next
Friday GRAM. A strict limit of 350
words will be imposed. Please submit
your column directly to WANZIE at michael@wanzie.com
and kindly type "My Two Cents" in
the subject line.
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THEATER - August: Osage County
Theatre Downtown production of Tracy
Letts divesting Broadway hit comic drama
about acute family dysfunction in America's
heartland.
"The most well written play of the past
decade." - WANZIE
Now Playing Through March 27
Thursday, Friday, & Saturday at 8 PM
Sunday Matinees:
March 20 & 27 at 2 PM
THEATRE DOWNTOWN
2113 N. Orange Ave
(At Princeton)
Orlando, Florida
$20.00/$16.00
Reservations:
407.841.0083
CRUISE - Funtastic Cruise with Wanzie/Sue
Bee/Carol Lee
The Center invites one and all to join your
friends and soon-to-be friends a few days
after Pride weekend on a high seas 4 day/3
night adventure hosted by Carol Lee,
Sue-Bee, and now -WANZIE!
Complete with stops in the Bahamas and on
Royal Caribbean's Private Island (where we
add our OWN private beach and DJ), this
cruise benefits* The Center and Come Out
With Pride, with special entertainment
dreamed up and hosted by Carol, Sue Bee, and
the Wanz.
Itinerary:
Friday, October 14:
Port Canaveral, Florida | Sail at 4:30 PM
Saturday 15:
Nassau, Bahamas | 12 PM to 11:59 PM
Sunday 16: Coco Cay (private
island), Bahamas | 8 AM to 5 PM
Monday 17:
Arrive back at Port Canaveral, Florida | 7
AM
Pricing: (When booked by April 30, 2011):
Ocean View room:
$318.54 per person, including port
charges & taxes
Inside room:
$293.54 per person, including port
charges & taxes
All pricing based on double occupancy
ALL CABINS WILL ALSO RECEIVE:
1 BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE
1 FRUIT PLATE
$25 ONBOARD SHIP CREDIT!
Deposit due at time of reservation:
$200/per cabin
Balance due 90 days prior to departure.
Contact reservation line below for
pricing on individual or three or more per
rooms. Prices include port charges
and taxes, ocean transportation, and
accommodations, all meals (except for room
service), and fantastic entertainment!
BOOK NOW
After April 30, 2011, add $20/pers.
Call 1-888-420-7514
Mention PRIDE OF THE SEAS
WALL STREET JOURNAL REVIEWS - Orlando
Shakes Shows
Terry Teachout who writes "ABOUT LAST NIGHT"
on arts in New York City for The Wall
Street Journal has done a great article
on A Midsummer's Night Dream and
Pride and Prejudice, which are both
currently running in rep at Orlando Shakes
through March 19 and 20 respectfully.
To read Mr. Teachout's Wall Street Journal
Article, log on to
http://www.artsjournal.com/aboutlastnight/
and scroll way down till you see this
header/lead in: February 25, 2011
TT:
Playing it safe-and smart
In
today's Wall Street Journal I review
Orlando Shakespeare Theater's productions of
Pride and Prejudice
and
A
Midsummer Night's Dream.
For complete show schedules, prices, and
reservations, log onto
www.orlandoshakes.org or call
407-447-1700
THEATER - Wicked Broadway
Across America/Florida Theatrical
presentation of the Equity National Touring
Company of the Broadway blockbuster musical
about the witches of OZ, with Music and
Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz.
A day-of-performance lottery for a limited
number of orchestra seats will be held daily
for WICKED, which is currently
performing through March 27, 2011,at The Bob
Carr Performing Arts Centre.
Each day, 2½ hours prior to the show time,
people who present themselves at The Bob
Carr Performing Arts Centrebox office will
have their names placed in a lottery drum.
Thirty minutes later, names will be drawn
for a limited number of orchestra seats at
$25 each, cash only. This lottery is
available only in-person at the box office,
with a limit of two tickets per person.
"The most complete - and completely
satisfying - new musical in a long time."
- USA Today
Wednesday, February 23 - Sunday, March 27
Carr Performing Arts Centre
401 West Livingston Street
Orlando, FL 32801
$37 - $150
plus fees:
http://www.ticketmaster.com/venueartist/278567/873966?brand=baa&camefrom=CFC=BAAORL_WICKED_BAASITE
Or
407.849.2000
AUDITIONS - Bitches of the Kingdom!
The OOPS GUYS will be holding open
auditions for their long overdue return to
the Orlando Fringe Festival with their
latest offering entitled Bitches of the
Kingdom! The original fairy tale
princesses musically bemoan the exploitative
treatment they've endured in the Disney
movies and theme parks. Now, they come
together in a fun-loving revue that proves
that happily ever after can be a royal pain
in the ass...let the musical bitching begin!
Bitches of the Kingdom Auditions
Mad Cow Theatre
105 S. Magnolia Ave.
Orlando, FL
Sunday, March 13:
6-10 PM
Tuesday, March 15
6-10 PM
APPOINTMENTS REQUIRED:
917-733-5029
OR dawriteguy@live.com
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Coming Attractions |
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Fri. Mar. 18: GREATER TUNA -
Garden Theatre
Wed. Mar. 23: CHARM -
Orlando Shakes
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Now Playing |
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Every Saturday night
(And other select nights)
Through April 23:
Saturday March 12 FOREIGNER
Friday March 18 NEON TREES
Saturday March 19 THE ROOTS
Friday March 25 ONE REPUBLIC
Saturday March 26 BLAKE SHELTON
Friday April 1 SEAN KINGSTON
Saturday April 2 NE-YO
Saturday April 9 LIFEHOUSE
Saturday April 16 THE BEACH BOYS
Saturday April 23 THIRTY SECONDS TO
MARS
Concert Times
Through April 9: 8:30 PM
April 16 & 23: 9:30 PM
Mardi Gras Parade & Concerts included
with regular Universal Studios park
admission |
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Performing Arts Reservation Links & Numbers: |
Our
companion website -
WANZIE.com -
is pleased to host a permanent
listing of Central Florida
theatrical & concert venues, as
well as most area performing
arts companies, with phone
numbers and web links for
ticketing and reservations. If
you are interested in any event
listed in the sections directly
above, you may quickly access
venue/ticketing information when
you
CLICK HERE.
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A Note From Wanzie |
I'm asking a favor of our Central
Florida subscriber friends.
Tomorrow is going to be a bit of a
scary night for me and my buds at
stirfryTV.
What we are attempting to do with
stirfryTV LIVE at the Parliament
House is a big technical and
logistical challenge, and the show
requires both a live in-theatre
audience as well as an online
audience.
We are confident that those who
already follow us on YouTube will
join the live blog-cast online.
However, we remain quite concerned
that locals come out and enjoy all
the bells and whistles and
excitement that can only be
experienced by being a member of our
"studio" audience. So in short - I'm
asking you to please attend and send
us positive energy as you play a
role in helping our debut show go
well. We need you there, and that's
why it's FREE.
Not only is admission for this
combination Talk - Variety - You
Tube - Comedy show absolutely free,
but also, by attending our 8 PM
performance, you are rewarded with
complimentary Parliament House cover
for the remainder of the evening!
Also, there are prizes that only
in-theater viewers may win. Tomorrow
evening we'll be giving away tickets
to PLAYLIST, being held the weekend
of March 25 at The Marriott Word
Center, and also a pair of tickets
to An Evening with TOM JONES, being
performed on April 23 at HARD ROCK
LIVE! Orlando.
If you're a big fan of social
networking and portable electronics,
by all means bring your laptops or
iPads into the theater, and enjoy
the new ,free wi-fi connectivity
recently installed specifically for
this event. If you don't know how
this will all work, simply arrive a
little early, and stirfry Andy will
be on hand, beginning at 7:30 PM, to
help hook you up with the folks who
will be watching from around the
world.
If you don't understand (or just
don't care) about any of that stuff,
so be it. Computer or no computer,
we have a great show for you to
enjoy with this week's Celebrity
Guest Host MOIRA, and Musical Guest
Star Amy Steinberg.
If you call to let us know you'll be
attending, we'll reserve the best
available seat for you, assigned in
the order calls are received.
On behalf of RIVER, Bek, Eric &
Andy, MOIRA, Amy, and me, we all
look forward to seeing you tomorrow
night at 8 PM in The Footlight
Theatre for stirfryTV LIVE!
RESERVATIONS: 407.540.0317
I'm WANZIE and That's All I Wrote.
2010 Wave Award
Winner for Favorite
Local Spiritual Leader
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