WICKED Comes home to Kansas

WICKED opened this past Wednesday at Century II Concert Hall in Wichita, KS to much fanfare. This Broadway Blockbuster coming to Wichita is a really big deal. This is the first time a show of this size has ever graced the stage at Century II, a fact not lost on City leaders. On Tuesday, the Mayor presented Theater League with a proclamation declaring Wednesday, October 21 as WICKED day. He and convention and tourism leaders understand all to well what a show like this can do for my hometown.

Thousand's of room nights in area hotels have been sold. Local stage hands, artists and backstage staff have been hired to work with the massive production. 75 cast and crew will be staying in Wichita during the three-week run and theater patrons from all over the region will enjoy this amazing show from now until November 8.

As a Wichita native, this makes me smile. I remember a time when the arts in Wichita were an afterthought. Now, the arts are center stage and have become more of a focus to City leaders as well as residents and visitors. I remember when downtown Wichita use to be the heart of not just the city, but a large portion of the state. It is wonderful to see the city I love embrace its downtown and the arts. It feels as though Wichita has made a bold new statement and WICKED has become that statements exclamation point.

The musical WICKED speaks to what is possible as well as looking beyond the surface. I for one am thrilled at the possibilities this big beautiful show has brought to my hometown. There is a feeling of excitement in Wichita, a feeling of awe and of anticipation. I am thrilled to be a part of this feeling and I am excited to see what happens next.