Wicked Has Fundraising Success

The success of Chicago’s open-ended Wicked continues not only at the box office, but also in the community at large as many members of the cast and crew work to better the lives of those in need. The Chicago company earned the top fundraising honor in the 20th Annual Easter Bonnet Competition, a national effort on behalf of the charity Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS. The awards ceremony, held recently in New York City, announced Chicago’s Wicked as the top fundraiser in a category of productions outside of New York (they placed second overall behind only the Broadway company of Wicked, who raised over $227,000). This marks the second consecutive win for Chicago’s Wicked, which also took first in the holiday season's "Gypsy of the Year" fundraising drive.

Over the course of almost two months, during a nightly curtain-call appeal at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre, Wicked’s cast and crew raised over $206,000. This donation has been generously shared again with Chicago House, a local non-profit organization picked by the company members for their ongoing work providing housing and supportive services to those impacted with AIDS and HIV. Funds were also donated to another local charity, Season of Concern, a Chicago counterpart to Broadway Cares.

In addition to the Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS fundraiser the cast and crew of Wicked remains actively involved in the community at large with recent events like a special benefit performance for the Actors’ Fund charities, a visit to a Habitat for Humanity worksite and the hosting a special cabaret event for victims of Hurricane Katrina to name a few. They look forward to similar partnerships and outreach events as they continue their residency in Chicago.

The Chicago company of Wicked continues its record-breaking run at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St.