Wicked - With Oklahoma City’s own Joel Ingram
By Robin Dorner
Editor in Chief
Oklahoma City –Wicked, Broadway’s biggest blockbuster, is at Oklahoma City’s Civic Center Music Hall through September 22. Tickets for the return engagement are on sale.
Oklahoma City’s own Joel Ingram is in the national tour of Wicked as the Fiyero cover (understudy) and in the ensemble. Previously he performed in the national tour of Legally Blonde, and regionally in The Who’s Tommy (the Lover) with Julia Murney; Jesus Christ Superstar (Bartholomew); Sweet Charity; Fiddler on the Roof; Little Me; and Bye Bye Birdie (Conrad). During his university years he was in Chicago (Billy); A Chorus Line; Anything Goes; and The Scarlet Pimpernel.
With all these credits to his name, Ingram told The Gayly that his greatest influence theatrically while he was in OKC was Johnathan Beck Reed, a most respected name in the OKC acting community. He also said there are so many things he enjoys about performing live, “It’s amazing how much we feed off the audience.” However adding, “On the downside, there is no place to hide!”
“OKC is my home town,” the actor added. “It was lot of education for me. I left OU knowing who I really was.”
In Wicked, 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, and how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.
“To say Wicked is returning to Oklahoma City by ‘popular’ demand is an understatement - and after seeing how quickly tickets flew out of the box office for our last Oklahoma City engagement, I am sure the three week run in September will be the hottest ticket in town,” said Celebrity Attractions Chief Executive Officer, Ed. L. Payton. “We are thrilled to welcome the return of Wicked to the Civic Center Music Hall this fall. What a great way to start off our 30th Anniversary Broadway Season!”
With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello. Based on the best-selling 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked is winner of 35 major awards, including a Grammy and three Tony Awards.
“My life changed the day I got the call,” added Ingram. “Wicked is really cool to be in: it’s a really special show.”
Wicked, comes to the Civic Center Music Hall for three weeks Sept. 4-22. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased via phone (800) 869-1451 or online ONLY at www.celebrityattractions.com or www.MyTicketOffice.com. Groups of 20 or more may call 918.796.0220. You may also purchase tickets in person at the Civic Center Music Hall Box Office located at 201 N. Walker in OKC.
BIO: Joel Ingram (Ensemble) grew up in Midwest City which is right outside OKC (part of the metro) I went to Soldier Creek Elementary then Carl Albert Junior High and Carl Albert High School class of '06. Then I went to the University of Oklahoma (OU) for musical theatre class of '10. In high school I was student council president and did all state choir. In college I was a member of the president’s leadership class. I performed at Lyric Theatre of OKC through high school then again last summer just before joining Wicked. I also performed at a tiny community theatre called Jewel Box when I was younger. I'm connected to the public servants in Oklahoma a lot because both my brothers are fire fighters (Norman, Midwest City) and my brother in law is an Oklahoma City cop.
September 14, 2013