Beginning July 10, Lenny Wolpe takes over the role of the Wizard in the Broadway company of ’Wicked,’ playing at the Gershwin Theatre.
AP photo
NEW YORK — As a veteran character actor, Lenny Wolpe has played everyone from Ed Koch in the off-Broadway musical “Mayor” to Feldzieg the producer in the current Broadway hit “The Drowsy Chaperone.”
Starting July 10, Wolpe will take up residence in the Emerald City, portraying the Wizard of Oz in the long-running musical hit “Wicked.” He joins an illustrious group. Among his predecessors were Joel Grey, Ben Vereen, George Hearn and David Garrison.
The Broadway production of “Wicked,” playing at the Gershwin Theatre, currently stars Julia Murney as Elphaba, the green witch, and Kendra Kassebaum as Glinda, her popular, blond counterpart.
For tickets to “Wicked,” called Ticketmaster, 212-317-4100, or go online at www.ticketmaster.com. For more information on “Wicked” on Broadway and its various other productions, visit the Web site, www.wickedthemusical.com.
Broadway ticket availability and capsule reviews of shows as of July 2 follow. Unless otherwise noted, tickets are available at the theaters’ box offices for the shows listed. Details about how to obtain tickets appear at the end.
110 in the Shade: Audra McDonald stars in the Roundabout Theatre Company revival of the Tom Jones-Harvey Schmidt musical based on the N. Richard Nash’s play “The Rainmaker.” Studio 54. 212-719-1300. Closes July 29.
A Chorus Line: Michael Bennett’s classic musical about dancers auditioning for a big Broadway show is back. Gerald Schoenfeld. Telecharge.
Avenue Q.: Love blossoms among the 20-something set — a group that includes puppets — in this very funny, adult musical comedy. Golden. Telecharge.
Beauty and the Beast: For those who want a lavish, live-action version of the delightful Disney animated feature, this is the ticket. Others may be content to rent the film. Lunt-Fontanne. Ticketmaster, a special Disney hot line, 212-307-4747. Closes July 29.
Chicago: This Kander and Ebb-Bob Fosse creation is Broadway’s longest running musical revival and deservedly so. Ambassador. Telecharge.
Curtains: A murder-mystery musical comedy with a score by John Kander and Fred Ebb. David Hyde Pierce and Debra Monk star. Al Hirschfeld. Telecharge.
Deuce: Angela Lansbury and Marian Seldes star in Terrence McNally’s play about the reunion of two former doubles tennis champions. Music Box. Telecharge. Closes Aug. 19.
Frost/Nixon: David Frost interviews Richard Nixon. Michael Sheen plays Frost and Frank Langella is Nixon in this play by Peter Morgan. Bernard B. Jacobs. Telecharge. Closes Aug. 19.
Grey Gardens: A musical version of the haunting film documentary about a reclusive mother and daughter who were relatives of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Christine Ebersole and Mary Louise Wilson star. Walter Kerr. Telecharge. Closes July 29.
Hairspray: The cult John Waters movie set in 1960s Baltimore has been turned into a hilarious, tuneful musical. Neil Simon. Ticketmaster.
Jersey Boys: The musical story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Winner of four 2006 Tony Awards including best musical. August Wilson. Telecharge. Difficult.
Legally Blonde: Laura Bell Bundy stars in this musical version of the Reese Witherspoon movie about a determined young woman who goes to Harvard Law School. Palace. Ticketmaster.
Mamma Mia!: The London musical sensation featuring the pop songs of ABBA makes it to Broadway. Die-hard ABBA fans will like it best. Winter Garden. Telecharge.
Mary Poppins: The world’s most famous nanny comes to the stage after her great success as a P.L. Travers book and a Disney movie. New Amsterdam. Ticketmaster, a special Disney hot line, 212-307-4747. Difficult on weekends.
Monty Python’s Spamalot: A musical inspired by that demented film comedy, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” Shubert. Telecharge.
Old Acquaintance: Margaret Colin and Harriet Harris star in a revival of John Van Druten’s comedy about the friendship between two writers and the ups and downs of their relationship. Bette Davis and Miriam Hopkins starred in the better-known film version. American Airlines. 212-719-1300.
Spring Awakening: A striking rock musical based on Frank Wedekind’s classic drama about a dozen young people discovering their sexual identities. Music by Duncan Sheik. Book and lyrics by Steven Sater. Winner of the 2007 Tony Award for best musical. Eugene O’Neill. Telecharge.
Tarzan: A Disney musical about Edgar Rice Burroughs’ vine-swinging hero. The score is by Phil Collins. Richard Rodgers. Ticketmaster, a special Disney hot line, 212-307-4747. Closes July 8.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee: A sweet-tempered, often hilarious new musical by William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin about youngsters competing in a local spelling bee. Circle in the Square. Telecharge.
The Color Purple: A musical version of Alice Walker’s novel, now starring Fantasia, about one woman’s triumph over adversity. Broadway. Telecharge.
The Drowsy Chaperone: A big fan remembers his favorite musical from 1928 — and it joyously comes to life. Marquis. Ticketmaster.
The Lion King: Director Julie Taymor is a modern-day Merlin, creating a stage version of the Disney animated hit that makes you truly believe in the magic of theater. Minskoff. Ticketmaster, a special Disney hot line, 212-307-4747. Difficult on weekends.
The Phantom of the Opera: The one with the chandelier. The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical about a deformed composer who haunts the Paris Opera House is the prime, Grade A example of big Brit musical excess. But all the lavishness does have a purpose in Harold Prince’s intelligent production, now the longest running show in Broadway history. Majestic. Telecharge.
The Year of Magical Thinking: Joan Didion’s stage adaptation of her book about the death of her husband. Vanessa Redgrave stars. Booth. Telecharge. Closes Aug. 25.
Wicked: An ambitious, wildly popular musical about the witches in “The Wizard of Oz” as young women. Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire. Gershwin. Ticketmaster. Difficult.
Xanadu: A roller disco musical loosely adapted from the cult 1980s film. The cast features Kerry Butler and Tony Roberts. Now in previews. Opens July 10. Helen Hayes. Telecharge.
