Why every show doesn't do this, I'll never understand.

This was an awesome experience and perfect for a Saturday morning at 10am! Thanks to knowing important people in high places, we got four tickets for WICKED: BEHIND THE EMERALD CURTAIN at The Gershwin Theatre. This is a behind-the-scenes one hour tour/exhibit/talk conducted by two company members -- Sean McCourt, who plays Doctor Dillamond and Anthony Galde, who is a swing.

It was really a wonderful experience. They first find out if there are people who haven't seen the show (not many) and are careful not to give away too many of the surprises in their talks. You start off in the lobby where they have a sort of WICKED museum, with costumes worn by cast members from world-wide productions (including Idina Menzel's Wicked Witch dress).

It's always fun to see the costumes and masks up close, to see the beautiful detail that sometimes you can't see specifically from far away, but that contributes to the overall feel of the show.

And since WICKED's world-wide profits are like the GNP of a small country, the production team can afford to make new costumes for new cast members, instead of the usual process of finding replacements that fit existing costumes ("you look like a size 6, you're hired"). They even have warehouses where they store bolts and bolts of fabric! Don't you just love it!

Also in the lobby is the original set model -- it's so cool to see it in miniature! They also demonstrate how the monkey wings work (ah, if there were monkeys that flew in the story that is...in case you haven't seen it yet...). Both cast members are really funny and captivating in their presentations. You really feel like you're getting a special inside scoop. Very magical.

Then it's into the theatre we go! It's always cool to go into an empty theatre. You always feel special. They talked about the stage itself, lighting and the intricacies of calling the show (talk about your stressful jobs!). The talk was broken up with videos on the making of the show, and my favorite was a sped-up video of the load-in on tour. To see a stage go from empty to being "WICKED-ified" continuously was really neato.

Of course at the end, we had a chance to buy WICKED merchandise. We got the requisite t-shirts and a real cool book called the "Grimmerie", which is the complete behind the scenes story of WICKED, including a beautiful compilation of photos and stories, and with comments from Gregory Maguire, the author of WICKED, the producers, the director, cast members, and many others.

And we all wanted to see the show again! Like I said, why doesn't every show do this?

From the Web site for WICKED: BEHIND THE EMERALD CURTAIN:

BEHIND THE EMERALD CURTAIN (an exclusive behind-the-scenes journey through WICKED on Broadway) Now Available at the Gershwin Theatre

"Behind the Emerald Curtain," an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at WICKED, run by members of the Broadway cast at the Gershwin Theatre (222 W. 51st St.), is now offered every Saturday morning at 10 AM. The tour, which lasts approximately one hour, includes a 20-minute film containing special footage from NY and the national tour, featuring interviews with the cast and creative team of WICKED.

Participants visit the exclusive "Behind the Emerald Curtain" Museum, which includes an elaborate set model by Tony Award-winner Eugene Lee and an up-close look at some of Tony Award-winner Susan Hilferty's costumes (with beautiful details that are not always visible from the audience), as well as some of the actual props and wigs from the show.

The tour also includes a question-and-answer portion with current cast members, and an opportunity to find out what's in store for the mega-hit musical in New York City, around the country and around the world.

Participants will soon also have a chance to purchase exclusive merchandise available only on the tour!

Tickets for "Behind the Emerald Curtain" are $25. Groups of 20 or more can buy tickets for $23 each. They will be available for purchase at the merchandise booth in the Gershwin Theatre lobby for that week's tour during regular box office hours.

Corporate clients and groups of 20 or more -- please call 212-581-5352 or write to broadway@emeraldcurtain.com

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