Wicked Day Out

Maybe the small suburb Chittenango, N.Y. is the site of the L. Frank Baum OZ Museum, as well as the three-day OZFest where you can spot one of the Lollipop Guild kids from the 1939 original, but when it comes down to celebrating the darker side of the Emerald City, midtown Manhattan is the place to be. Being a witch for Halloween may be cliched, but you'll be right at home if you attend Wicked Day this Sunday, Oct. 29, in celebration of the three-year anniversary of the musical by the same name.

Come join the party that's all the rage with green girls. Wicked, which has become one of Broadway's biggest blockbusters, serves as a prequel to The Wizard of Oz. Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire and with a score by Stephen Schwartz (Pippin), the musical tells the tale of the unlikely friendship that forms between the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba, and the Good Witch, Glinda. Their paths crossed long before that little Kansas farm girl stole those ruby slippers-and Wicked plays to consistently sold-out houses eight times a week, to audiences who want to hear the tale that Dorothy does not tell.

After recouping its initial investment of $14 million by December 2004, just over a year after its opening on the Great White Way, Wicked now boasts an average box office receipt of $1.4 million a week. Consistently playing to packed houses in New York, Chicago, London, Toronto and soon Los Angeles, Wicked is certainly popular.

Due to the musical's tremendous success and its astounding fan base, one day is set aside each year to celebrate the show at the Gershwin Theatre. On Oct. 29, 51st Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue will be lined with multitudes of green girls, stars from the hit show, special OzDust merchandise, games, tasty green goodies, prizes, and much more. Be sure to check out the "Be Wicked" singing contest finals hosted by Z100 beginning at 12:30 p.m. Original ensemble member Anthony Galde, will emcee the event.

So forget about clicking your heels, traveling by hot air balloons, and following roads of yellow brick. All you need is a $2 Metrocard, and you'll be just steps away from the positively emerald festivities. Easy as one, two, three ...