'Wicked' witches fly into Gammage

The hit Broadway musical that single-handedly transformed the Wicked Witch of the West from putrid hag to misunderstood underdog is back in the Valley, and you could save on good seats at the show.

"Wicked" opens July 1 at ASU Gammage in Tempe. A special lottery held before each show will award 20 discounted orchestra seats to theater goers looking to save a few bucks. Here's how the promotion works:

Beginning 2 1/2 hours prior to each showtime, you may line up at ASU Gammage's box office to submit your name in that show's lottery.

Thirty minutes later, names will be drawn for 20 orchestra-level seats.

The seats will cost $25 each, cash only. There is a limit of two tickets per person.

Some rules to keep in mind:

Lines will not be permitted to form earlier than 2 1/2hours prior to show time.

The drawing is random, so your place in line will not affect the outcome.

No parking will be available in the ASU Gammage parking lot; you must visit asugammage.com/parking or call (480) 965-7275 for alternate parking information.

No overnight camping will be permitted.

Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and show a valid photo ID, or they forfeit their tickets.

This is second engagement for "Wicked" in the Valley. On its first run, the musical sold out.

The show is based on the 1995 best-selling novel of the same name by Gregory Maguire. It tells the story of Elphaba and Glinda, two unlikely friends who grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch of the North, long before Dorothy and Toto take to the Yellow Brick Road see the Wizard of Oz.

"Wicked" has broken box office records in every city it has played, including Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Toronto. There are currently eight productions of the musical worldwide.

Its music and lyrics are by Stephen Schwartz (Academy Award winner for "Pocahontas" and "The Prince of Egypt"). Its book is by Winnie Holzman ("My So Called Life" and "thirtysomething"). The show is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello ("The Vagina Monologues" and "9 to 5").

Wicked

What: Long before Dorothy and Toto drop in from Kansas, two friends growing up in Oz are set on a path to become the Good Witch of the North and the Wicked Witch of the West

When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sundays. One weekday matinee will take place 2 p.m. July 2.

Where: ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe

Cost: $32-$143.50

Information: (800) 982-2787 or www.asugammage.com