Universal Studios and Wicked Announce "'Wicked' Wednesdays" at Universal Studios Hollywood, the Entertainment Capital of L.A.

Universal Studios and Wicked Announce "'Wicked' Wednesdays" at Universal Studios Hollywood, the Entertainment Capital of L.A.

New Summer Series Kicks Off On June 27 With Specal Appearance By 'Wicked' Star Carol Kane Plus Performances and Autograph Sessions With Cast of the Smash-Hit Musical

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., June 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Carol Kane, Academy Award(R) nominee and Emmy(R)-winning actor and star of "Wicked," joins Universal Studios Hollywood on June 27 to introduce The Entertainment Capital of L.A.'s new summer series, "Wicked Wednesdays," offering fans of the smash musical blockbuster, "Wicked," an opportunity to enjoy special performances, meet the stars and collect autographs from the cast of the L.A. production for three very special events on June 27, July 11 and 25 from noon to 2:00 p.m.

The witchcraft begins on Wednesday, June 27 with a special appearance by Carol Kane (Madame Morrible) to introduce a "Witches of Oz"-themed performance with stars from the show performing some of the musical's most memorable songs. On July 11, "Wicked Wednesday" will feature a performance by popular cast member, Kristoffer Cusick (Fiyero) and on Wednesday, July 25, the "Ozians" of "Wicked" will round out the summer series with an ensemble performance from the musical.

All performances will be followed by an autograph session and opportunities for guests to meet their favorite "Wicked" cast member. Interactive "Wicked" activities from karaoke to face-painting will kick off each performance. "Wicked" merchandise will also be on sale.

"Wicked," the smash hit musical that the New York Times called, "one of the most successful shows in Broadway history" is now performing at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, "Wicked" has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman. It is directed by Joe Mantello, with musical staging by Wayne Cilento. "Wicked' is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.

Winner of 15 major awards including the Grammy(R) Award and three Tony Awards(R), "Wicked" is the untold story of the witches of Oz. Long before Dorothy drops in; two other girls meet in the Land of Oz. One, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. "Wicked" tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.

Tickets are on sale at http://www.ticketmaster.com/ or http://www.broadwayla.org/, by phone at 213-365-3500 or 714-740-7878, in person at the Pantages Theatre Box Office, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., or at any Ticketmaster outlet. Groups of fifteen (15) or more can call 866-755-3075 or online at www.nedgroups.com.

Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A., includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour, the CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex, the Universal CityWalk Cinemas and the Gibson Amphitheatre concert and special event venue. The theme park features such groundbreaking attractions as "Revenge of the Mummy(sm) - The Ride," "Shrek 4-D(TM)," "Jurassic Park(R) - The Ride" and the world-renowned Studio Tour, which takes guests behind-the-scenes of such landmark TV and movie locations and sets as Steven Spielberg's "War of the Worlds." Universal CityWalk features 65 entertainment-themed restaurants, nightclubs, shops and dynamic entertainment options. Universal CityWalk Cinemas, offering the best movie-going experience in Los Angeles, features 19 screens including one of Southern California's largest IMAX(R) venues and newly renovated stadium-style seating.

Universal Studios Hollywood (http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/) is a unit of Universal Parks & Resorts, a division of Universal Studios, a part of NBC Universal. NBC Universal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May of 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi.

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Source: Universal Studios Hollywood

CONTACT: Eliot Sekuler, +1-818-622-6896, eliot.sekuler@nbcuni.com,
Audrey Eig, +1-818-622-2962, audrey.eig@nbcuni.com, Janel Moncada,
+1-818-622-5985, janel.moncada@nbcuni.com, Debbie Park, +1-818-622-9504,
deborah.park@nbcuni.com, all for Universal Studios Hollywood

Web site: http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/

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