I figured we needed a sticky for this :ha: I'm going to go and find the most common questions/answers and edit them into this post

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What address do I use to write to the Chicago cast?

CAST MEMBER'S NAME
Ford Oriental Theatre
c/o WICKED
24 West Randolph St
Chicago, IL 60601

What is a SASE? Do I have to send one?

Self Addressed Stamped Envelope. You should send one with your letter as a) it is common courtesy and you may be more likely to receive a response. Make sure you cover the cost of postage completely.

Where is the stage door?

As you come out of the theatre, go right - turn right again and then right again and you should be in the alley where the stage door is.

Will such and such a cast member come out after the show?

There's no guarantee either way, usually some of the lead/principle cast will make the effort to come out between and after shows to sign playbills for those waiting. It can take forty minutes+ to remove the green make-up, so be prepared to wait a while for Elphaba.

Where can I see a seating plan?

At 'BroadwayinChicago.com'

When are the matinées?

Wednesdays & Saturdays at 2:00pm. There's only one show on a Sunday, and that starts at 2:00pm as well.

What is the lotto and how does the lotto work?

Essentially the lotto allows a group of lucky people drawn from a hat to get front row seats for $25 each.

Here's how it works:

You fill in an entry form to put your name in for the drawing - this is free. Two and half hours before the show opens, the names will be picked from a hat and - if you win - it is $25 cash per ticket. You can get either one or two tickets. This happens in two places for Chicago - at BORDERS [Friday, Saturday and Sunday], or in the lobby at the theatre [Tuesday, Wednesay, Thursday]. If you win you will need a photo-ID and you cannot put your name in more than once.

So, drawing for evening shows Tuesday-Friday takes place at 5pm, at 12:00pm for matinees on Wednesday and Saturday & for the Sunday show, and at 6:00pm for the 8:00 show on Saturday.

How much of the view is obstructed in the dress circle?

The only thing you really miss is the Time Dragon Clock. Don't worry, you can see all of Elphaba during Defying Gravity! I was also able to see all of the sets perfectly.

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I'm not sure on seating questions though, if anyone has any tips about the best seats, etc, post 'em and I'll edit them in Also, if I get anything wrong... point and laugh! :ha:

great idea, thanks vim!

good idea VIM!

Yeah this is a good idea hehe

May I add a question?

Can I buy those spiffy production posters at Border's?

No, no matter how many times you ask the Broadway in Chicago representative, they will not sell you or give you the posters. (It's worthless, guys, even if you say, "But it's the old cast! Why would Broadway in Chicago want them anymore?")

haha! They do that at theatres here too, sometimes. The excuse they gave us was 'We need it for the archives' e_e

I've got one to add!

How much of the view is obstructed in the dress circle?

The only thing you really miss is the Time Dragon Clock. Don't worry, you can see all of Elphaba during Defying Gravity! I was also able to see all of the sets perfectly.

Is it alright if we ask questions on here as well? (and I mean other than that one :roll: )

Yes, that's why this is here... ASK AWAY hehe

Er...okay...how about...

How do you get them to autograph things by mail? If it's just a picture, do you have to send one for them to sign or do they have their own there? And are you allowed to send things (playbills, pictures, etc.) to be signed?

And I know that you need the SASE. Thanks!

They have pictures to sign. Just send along a letter asking for an autograph.

I thought of a couple more questions!

When do the contracts of the current cast expire?

Kristy & Stacie: October 2006
Kris, Heidi, Telly, Rondi, & Gene: June 2006
(Gene & Rondi are said to have extended to June 2007.)

How far in advance can I buy tickets?

Tickets are currently on sale up to November 5, 2006.

This isn't a question, but I have to express my feelings because I'm really depressed and seeing this made it worse.

I DON'T WANT THE REST OF THE ORIGINAL CHICAGO CAST TO GO!!

I'll throw a temper tantrum if I have to. OOH I WILL.

Are they here through June!!??!?! Cuz I go on my b-day June 30th

When exactly did previews begin and the show open in Chicago? The Wicked contracts have typically run to the closest Sunday from the date performances began, if the performer is in the show for a year.

What if you wanted to get something signed for your sister's birthday? Like the CD or something?

Oh, and on Wednesdays do they come out after the 2:00 show?

I'm not positive, but I think previews began the last week or two of June in '05. Not completely sure, though.

I went to the first production in chicago WITH the chicago cast! It was amazing! The crowd was amazing! Totally packed!

It was June 2005, correct!

hope that helps

I'm sure if you brought something for your sister's birthday to get signed, they would be more than happy to do so.

I think Kristy comes out because she likes to get some air between shows. If you email her and let her know when you're going she can come out and bring some of the other cast with her.

Okay, thanks! Darn, there was something else I wanted to ask...oh yeah!

How many of them do autographs if you mail to them? Just the two of them or do others also? And how big should the SASE be?

I am positive that all the leads will return some form of an autograph. I am not sure about the ensamble, but I am sure about the leads

hope that helps

I just got autographs back from Stacie and Kris and I sent them last Friday!

Is the cast real nice or agitated about sighning autographs?

They're very nice about it. I got autographs and pictures with Telly, Kris, Stacie, and Kristy. Just be respectful and remember that they're usually tired after the show.

Ok, this is a really stupid question.
What is the difference between ensemble and swing? I was reading the playbill and i had 3 ensemble and 1 swing members sign my playbill.

Ensemble members play the same role each night, unless they're understudying a lead or some such thing. For example, every single night Kristy Cates would play the same Ozian during her ensemble days. A swing is trained to perform all ensemble roles, so they go on if an ensemble member can't go on for some reason. Like, if ensemble-Kristy was sick, or if she had to go on as Elphaba, a swing would probably take her place that night.

Make sense?

Yes thanks a million!

Okay, thanks for answering all of my questions. Don't worry, I don't have any more, so I won't bug you.

Bug away hehe..

That's what this thread is all about.... Getting all of your questions answered :mrgreen:

June 25th my b-day
Shelly Telly and Others Leaving

Hey, that's my parents' anniversary! Not that that really mattered or anything....

Do they know who's taking over for Telly and the others when they leave? Is it just going to be their understudies or are they getting completely new people?

(Sorry for bugging more)

I have a question regarding the lottery. Can a photo school ID qualify as proper identification if we win?

I'm pretty sure it can because I have heard of little kids winning the lottery. When I bring my sister... she's going to have her school i.d.

so i could use my high school id for this year if i win right?

Yes. I doubt they think everyone has a state I.D. or Driver's License. As long as it has your name and a picture of you, you're all set.

Another question: Is there an Chicago cast recording? My friend told me she was going to buy the Chicago recording or something when she saw WICKED last year. Is she maybe just confused or am I the one confused?

There is no legal Chicago cast recording. The only legal recording is that of the Original Broadway Cast.

i wish there was

Same here.

^^^^^ We need one... we so need one!

Amen to that! :rock:

If you SD on a cold night/drizzling (which i did), no one is really there. The cast is really nice! My friend and I ran!!! It was kind of funny....lol!

I was wondering has anyone written to 'The cast and crew' (As a whole!) in chicago (Or broadway) And has gotten a reply, and if you sent a SASE..

I know that rparker*insert numbers here* has gotten a reply from the cast and crew. I believe they sent him a signed playbill and that he sent a SASE.

Well, I've yet to send out my letter and stuff to the cast and crew to Wicked on Broadway. But,I am this weekend. I've just been so busy and haven't had the chance to get the envelopes yet. And, I'm requesting an Eden pic and signed Playbill.

Can anyone please give me tips about all of the "limited view" sections in the Oriental Theater? Because the seating charts dont tell you much, and if you ask them over the phone they'll say "you don't really miss anything TOO important" for the really bad seats. That made me nervous. But i'm really not sure if i should by the somewhat-limited view seats from the eBay guy who says "I sat in seats like these and really didn't feel like I missed anything" for ALL of his Limited View seats available.

In short, my question is:

How limited is "Limited View"?

:elphie: :tornado:[/b]

That depends on where the seats are. I've sat in Limited View twice. Once in the very last row of the dress circle all the way at the end of the aisle and the other in Row E of the balcony but also on the side. In the balcony, there was a bar/guard rail thing slightly blocking my view, but it wasn't bad. I think Limited View seats tend to be ones that are all the way on one side or the other. So you might miss a few things (if something's toward the end of the stage) on the one side your on. In the dress circle, I couldn't see the dragon or the congratulations banner. In the balcony, I just couldn't see the banner.

All in all, I didn't think Limited View seats are all that bad. The Oriental isn't a huge theatre, so you can see the stage no matter where you are. So, I'd say buy your tickets (make sure seller's legitimate of course).

so just to make sure if i have this planned right....if i win the lottery i show them my high school id and go to the cancellation line (wherever that is) to cancel my tickets right?

If I win... I'm going to give my tickets to someone... Preferably a young child and their mother or something.

Everyone should get a chance to see Wicked.

You could also give it to my friends...or me so i can give it to them... who really want to see WICKED :eyebrows: