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WICKED

Starbucks Gets Wicked with Movie-Inspired Drinks & Merch

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In a collaboration with Universal Pictures, Starbucks has released new drinks and merchandise to celebrate the upcoming release of “Wicked,” the book-turned-musical-turned-movie prequel to “The Wizard of Oz.”

With the movie premiere just a month away, Starbucks has added “Elphaba’s Cold Brew,” a peppermint cold brew topped with matcha cold foam and green sprinkles, and “Glinda’s Pink Potion,” a Mango Dragonfruit Refresher shaken with coconut milk and freeze-dried dragonfruit topped with non-dairy strawberry cold foam and pink sprinkles.

To further celebrate the release, Starbucks will add 16 new tumblers, cold cups, and mini cup keychains to their merch shelves on Nov. 7, inspired by the film’s main characters — the good witch Glinda and the wicked witch Elphaba — the City of Oz, and the pink and green color scheme. In addition, Starbucks will expand its “Discovery Series Collection,” which makes mugs featuring the names of prominent locations, to include Munchkinland, the Emerald City, and Shiz University, all fictional settings in the film.

Additionally, the coffee chain will have new Emerald City-inspired gift cards available for purchase in-store and through the app, with a special gold-colored mini card that doubles as a keychain with a minimum $50 load.

The movie is scheduled to come out Nov. 22 of this year, with “Wicked Part Two” scheduled to premiere Nov. 21, 2025.

‘Wicked’ Review – Victoria Theatre Association – Wonderful Witches of Oz

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I couldn’t be happier to tell you the current national tour of composer Stephen Schwartz and librettist Winnie Holzman’s blockbuster 2003 musical “Wicked,” a fascinating, humorous and dark revisionist prequel to “The Wizard of Oz” based on the 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire, once again proves its worth as a must-see at the Schuster Center courtesy of the Victoria Theatre Association.

wicked

Alyssa Fox and Carrie St. Louis as Oz witches Elphaba and Glinda in “Wicked.” (Photo by Joan Marcus)

The production’s tremendous technical elements heighten the show’s appeal as usual, but this mounting, even stronger than its well-received 2010 engagement, uncovers new depths in the vital relationship between the green-skinned, misunderstood Elphaba and the beautiful, bubbly Galinda, the engaging duo that respectively becomes the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch of the South. Emphasizing the importance of connection and sisterhood, director Joe Mantello finds refreshing avenues for the characters to explore primarily during their impressionable time at Shiz University, the launching pad for their iconic wizardry. In fact, the moment Elphaba arrives at the Stardust Ballroom only to be humiliated by her peers yet ultimately encouraged by Galinda is filled with a revitalizing, extended sense of empowerment, respect and understanding between these characters I haven’t seen in previous productions. Mantello molds their newfound camaraderie wonderfully in the following scene which finds Galinda enthralled with Elphaba with a passion that grows to makeover proportions. By and large, it’s great to witness a “Wicked” completely rooted in the value of Elphaba and Galinda’s friendship no matter the cost, especially as political corruption and the intricacies of love threaten to dismantle their bond.
Alyssa Fox brings fierce urgency to her firm, commanding portrayal of Elphaba, effectively showcasing the intelligent, vulnerable and determined facets fueling the character’s complexity. Her superb renditions of “The Wizard and I,” “No Good Deed” and phenomenal Act 1 finale “Defying Gravity” contain terrific pop inflections. As perky Glinda, the absolutely dynamic Carrie St. Louis, a gorgeous soprano with a vibrant Elle Woods sensibility, skillfully balances the role’s pristine sophistication and playful undercurrents. She fantastically inhabits the exuberant “Popular,” an Act 1 hallmark, with hyperactive, cheerleader finesse while blending hilarious shades of Kate McKinnon (“Saturday Night Live”) and Salt-N-Pepa in the process.
Elsewhere, TV legend John Davidson is a kooky, grandfatherly delight as the Wizard, particularly filling “Wonderful” with a good old-fashioned vaudeville vibe. Kristine Zbornik is equally winning as the haughty, menacing Madame Morrible. Handsome former boy band star Ashley Parker Angel (O-Town) brings innate charisma and pleasant vocals to his understated portrayal of Fiyero. Michael DeVries (Dr. Dillamond), Liana Hunt (Nessarose) and Lee Slobotkin (Boq) provide solid work. The sharp ensemble, very astute and full of personality, is also commendable along with conductor P. Jason Yarcho’s excellent orchestra including nine local musicians.
Whether you’ve seen it before or you’re tempted to finally discover what all the fuss is about, “Wicked” resonates to the fullest in one of its finest touring incarnations.

 

“Wicked” continues through May 17 at the Schuster Center, Second and Main Streets., Dayton. Performances are Tuesday-Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Act One: 90 minutes; Act Two: 60 minutes. Tickets are $43-$157. Discounts are available. A lottery for a limited number of orchestra seats is also held 2 ½ hours before each performance in the Wintergarden of the Schuster Center. For tickets or more information, call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com

VTA’s Starring Role Online Auction Benefit Discovery Series for Kids

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starring roleThe 4th annual Victoria Theatre Association online auction runs from Monday, Dec. 2 to Sunday, Dec. 8. Titled, Starring Role, the auction features more than 200 one-of-a-kind items such as theatre memorabilia, restaurant gift certificates, unique travel experiences, and much more!  Proceeds from the auction will support The Frank M. Tait Foundation Discovery Series, which offers live theatre experiences for schoolchildren.

 

Looking for the perfect gift? Look no further! Victoria’s Starring Role Online Auction offers a myriad of items including:

 

  • 4 day trip to California’s Wine Countrywine tour
  • Cooking class for 8 w/ Chef Tim Schonsheck of Citilites at the Schuster
  • Gift certificates to local restaurants
  • Theatre Packages to SISTER ACT, Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, ALTON BROWN: THE INEVITABLE EDIBLE TOUR and more!

 

UPCYCLED HANDBAGS TO BENEFIT ARC OHIOwicked bag

 

Do you love the Broadway musicals WICKED and THE LION KING or know someone who does? Bid on handbags and totes created from a Broadway WICKED or THE LION KING banner. Local artist Tim Titer creates functional items by upcycling materials that were headed to the landfill and has transformed the banners hung outside the Schuster Center into beautiful and functional messenger bags and totes.  Each one is unique in design! 10% of the proceeds from the sale of the bags will go to benefit AIDS Resource Center Ohio!.

 

 

Victoria’s Starring Role Online Auction is the perfect way to get your holiday shopping done and support Victoria Theatre Association at the same time.

 

With a goal to raise $35,000, the online auction committee has been working hard vta logoto create creative and meaningful packages for Victoria’s Starring Role Online Auction. Every item purchased through the auction will support The Frank M. Tait Foundation Discovery Series which reaches more than 30,000 students throughout the Miami Valley. Your support helps local kids experience the arts through Victoria Theatre Association. Be a hero this holiday season and buy the perfect gift through VTA’s Starring Role Online Auction!

 

Prices of the auction items range from $15 to $5,000 and all purchases will be received mid-December for holiday gift giving.

“Our committee worked hard to have a wide variety of auction items that appeal to a variety of interests,” says Karen Meade, VTA Advancement Director. “It’s fun to think of it as convenient, one-stop shopping in the comfort of your own home – or office – that benefits Victoria Theatre Association’s extensive education and outreach programs.”

 

online-auctionHow do I participate?

 

Visit http://victoriatheatre.com/support/auction and view all the auction items in advance of the auction start date. Or simply follow these steps:

 

  • Step 1: Go to www.biddingforgood.com.
  • Step 2: Find the “bidders” tab in the upper right corner of the homepage and click “Register.”
  • Step 3: Fill out the free and no obligation personal information fields.
  • Step 4: Once you have registered, enter your username and password in the upper right corner and click the “Sign In” button.
  • Step 5: When you are signed in, using the search field, search for Victoria Theatre Association.
  • Step 6: Bid on items you like.
  • Step 7: Check back and check often to make sure you aren’t outbid!

 

Victoria’s Starring Role Online Auction ends at 8 p.m., December 8, 2013. Winners will be contacted regarding details of collecting their purchases. Dave Ahlstrom (Sebaly Shilito & Dyer) serves as the 2013 Online Auction Chair with committee members:  Nina Anglin (Oakwood Florist), Jocelin Baker (Logos@Work), Mimi Combs (Oakwood Florist), Jennifer Enseleit (Harris Systems, Inc.), Kris Hopkins (Community Volunteer) and Regina Menza (Premier Health Partners).

 

For more information about Victoria’s Starring Role Online Auction, visit http://victoriatheatre.com/support/auction, call Karen Meade at 937-228-7591 ext. 3063 or email her at [email protected].