'Wicked' witch from performing family

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Who doesn't remember the Wicked Witch of the West from the classic, "Wizard of Oz" and her counterpart, the Good Witch Glinda ?

The musical version of their relationship -- the Broadway production of "Wicked" -- broke box office records when it first came to Austin in 2009. The musical is on a second run now through Feb. 12 at Bass Concert Hall, featuring Anne Brummel in the coveted role of Wicked Witch, "Elphaba."

She first auditioned for the Chicago production of "Wicked" four years ago, but since that time has moved onward and upward.

Brummel has been acting and interested in theatre since childhood. It's in her blood, as both parents were musical performers, she said.

"Theatre was sort of all I knew," Brummel said. Before she was a "witch," she toured the U.S. and Canada with "Cats," "Scarlet Pimpernel," "Funny Girl," and "Evita.'

Brummel said she started in the ensemble in the Chicago production of "Wicked." Her talents got her a part in the ensemble cast of the second national tour of the Tony-award-winning production just four months later.

"I worked my way up over a series of about three years to playing the role of Alphaba," she said. "I went from ensemble and an understudy, to a standby, to now doing the role eight times a week."

Brummel said the character of Alphaba is a fun, wonderful role to play. "She is a strong woman who always fights for what she believes in," she said. "A bit of an outcast who gets picked on a bullied most all of her life, but she rises in the end to really become a strong powerful witch. And you really learn how she becomes the wicked witch."

Brummel said it's a fun show -- "I get to fly" -- and defy gravity, with lots of great moments.

"It's amazing experience to play to an audience who has as much passion for the show as I do," she said. "And they go nuts every night, which is a bit of a rush!"

Tickets are still available for "Wicked" online or by phone at 512-477-6060. Prices start at $38.50. Group tickets are avaiable by calling 877-275-3804 or email to Austin.groups@broadwayacrossamerica.com .  

• Music and lyrics: Stephen Schwartz  
• Book: Winnie Holzman
• Director: Joe Mantello
• Musical staging by: Wayne Cilento
• Set design: Eugene Lee
• Costume design: Susan Hilferty
• Lighting design: Kenneth Pposner
• Sound design: Tony Leola
• Musical director: Stephen Oremus
• Orchestrations: William David Brohn
• Dance arrangements: James Lynn Abbott
• "Wicked" is based on the best-selling 1995 novel by Gregory Magquire.