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“Wicked” is a Broadway productiob prequelto L. Frank Baum’s “The Wizard of The play is based onthe book, “Wicked: The Life and Timexs of the Wicked Witch of the West” by Gregory Maguire. It is expectedd that 40 percent ofthe 57,400 people who will see “Wicked” durinyg its June 24-July 12 run at The Orpheujm will be from outside Shelby Of that figure, 3 percent are expecter to come a distance that will requiree an overnight stay in The Orpheum expects those livinb outside Shelby County will pump $2.6 million into the economy here as they pay for dinner, hotel stay and tickets. Locals will spend $3.8 million on the the theater predicts.
The 71-member touring cast and crew will spend anestimaterd $290,000 on food, tourism and lodging. The Orpheum officials have spent $100,000 marketing the show in local radio, print and outdoor advertising. Along with employing 87 of the theater'sz regular staffers, The Orpheum will also spend aboutr $200,000 for "Wicked" to emplo y 118 local musicians, stagehands, hairdressersw and wardrobe assistants employed durinygthe show's run. The theater brings nearlgy $40 million annually to the ShelbygCounty community, according to a news However, the Orpheum operates at a yearly deficit of $1 millionn and does not receive publivc funds or assistance.
That gap is bridged with corporate fundraising events andindividual contributions.