Wicked Sets Benefit Performance for NYC "Friendship Garden"

The smash-hit musical Wicked has added a special benefit performance to its playing schedule on Sunday, October 7, at 8pm. All proceeds from this performance will go to the non-profit New York Restoration Project to establish an ongoing maintenance fund for "The Friendship Garden," a community garden in upper Manhattan that is currently being restored. This new garden will officially open on "Wicked Day," October 28, at a ceremony hosted by NYRP founder Bette Midler.

Designed by Wicked associate set designer Edward Pierce, "The Friendship Garden" at West 150th Street and Amsterdam Avenue in upper Manhattan will become a public green oasis in one of the city's underserved neighborhoods. The garden will feature elements inspired by Wicked, including a yellow brick road and likenesses of the musical's characters, as well as flexible space for use by the neighborhood and the New Heights Academy, a charter school adjacent to the garden.

The October 28 public ceremony opening Wicked's "Friendship Garden" will include a performance by the show's cast members as well as a free block party for the community and Wicked fans. This neighborhood celebration will be held in lieu of the traditional block party outside the Gershwin Theatre marking "Wicked Day" celebrated for the past three years on the last Sunday in October.

"I'm thrilled that the producers of Wicked approached New York Restoration Project about adopting one of our gardens, and that they have designed it in such an exciting way," Midler said in a statement. "They are the first Broadway show to join forces with us, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for helping to create and maintain another New York City oasis."