Nearly $38,000 Raised for STAGES St. Louis and BC/EFA at A WICKED WONDERLAND

On Monday, December 17, 2012, the National Touring Company of Wicked hosted A Wicked WONDERLAND at the Sheldon Concert Hall in St. Louis, MO. The event featured the company of Wicked, and net proceeds benefited Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and STAGES ST. LOUIS. Tickets ranged from $25 for students/actors to $100 for VIPs which included a post-show meet-and-greet reception with the cast. In addition to the performance, the event featured live and silent auctions including several opportunities to join the company backstage at The Fabulous Fox Theatre.

Between ticket sales, live and silent auction donations, and merchandise sales, the event raised nearly $38,000 for Broadway Cares / EFA and STAGES ST. LOUIS. "We are honored and grateful to have partnered with the cast of Wicked on this event," explained Ron Gibbs, Managing Director of STAGES ST. LOUIS. "The support from the community benefits a very worthy cause in Broadway Cares / EFA, and it helps STAGES to continue our mission of preserving and advancing the art form of musical theatre."

A Wicked WONDERLAND is part of an ongoing series of performances by the touring company to support charitable causes which advance Wicked's theme of acceptance and illuminate the musical's message that people should not be judged on first impressions. The company believes that in these divisive times we must come together to support those in need throughout the country and around the world. In its seven years on the road, the company has raised over $2 million in donations for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and local AIDS service organizations all over the country. Produced by company members, the evening was an opportunity for them to step out of their roles in the musical and kick up their heels performing some of their favorite non-Ozian and, in this case, holiday material.

Performances of Wicked at the Fox Theatre run through January 6, 2013. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8:00pm; Sunday evenings at 6:30pm; Saturday matinees at 2:00pm and Sunday matinees at 1:00pm. There will also be a 1:00pm matinee on Thursday, December 27. To purchase tickets, visit metrotix.com, call 314-534-1111 or visit Fox Theatre Box Office at 531 N. Grand Blvd. Ticket prices start at $38 and $40, depending on performance date and time. Prices are subject to change; refer to fabulousfox.com for current pricing.

About Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids- Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) is the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fund raising and grant making organization. BC/EFA is the on-going, committed response from the American theater community to an urgent worldwide health crisis. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of this community, BC/EFA raises funds for AIDS-related causes across the United States. Since its founding in 1988, BC/EFA has raised over $150 million for critically needed services for people with AIDS, HIV, and other serious illnesses. www.broadwaycares.org

About STAGES ST. LOUIS- STAGES ST. LOUIS is the region's foremost not-for-profit company committed to preserving and advancing the art form of Musical Theatre through excellence in performance and education. In 2012, STAGES celebrated its 26th year of producing Broadway-quality theatre, presenting 124 performances from May through October to more than 45,000 patrons. STAGES employs the best musical theatre artists available regionally and nationally for all productions. By holding auditions in St. Louis and New York, STAGES is able to attract not only Broadway talent, but also further its commitment to support professional St. Louis actors, providing over 450 union workweeks annually. In addition to being the top regional employer of local union actors, STAGES educates thousands of students each year at its Performing Arts Academy, the region's only year-round arts school with a comprehensive curriculum run by a professional theatre company. www.stagesstlouis.org

Pictured: Billy Tighe (Fiyero), Jillian Kates, Marissa Miller and Sam Lips serenade the audience with a wonderful Christmas medley.

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