'Wicked' Tour Brings Broadway Back To The Metroplex

DALLAS —It's a little early to sing "Ding dong, COVID's dead," but one of the surest signs of life looking more like normal is the return of live theater, and Dallas is getting back in the groove a full month before the lights come up on Broadway.

Dallas Summer Musicals has announced that Wicked, the wildly successful musical retelling of The Wizard of Oz, will run August 31-September 5 at the Music Hall at Fair Park. New Yorkers don't expect that Broadway shows will be open to the public until September.

The musical kicks off DSM's 2021-22 season.

Sign up to support local journalism and you may receive coupons valued at up to $100 or more every month for use at local Dallas, TX businesses.

Now if you're already dreaming of sinking into that comfy seat with a drink and treats while the orchestra launches into its overture, you're going to need to slow your roll. It's not going to look that normal — yet.

As the first bus-and-truck touring musical to open in the country, you can expect some familiar, uncomfortable and lingering nods to the pandemic, all safety-based, to be sure.

While a detailed plan of exactly what's going to be in place (and whether patrons will be sitting inches away from each other or sold seats will be separated by those left empty as a precaution), you can expect that masks will definitely be on the menu — to be worn at all times indoors, except by the performers onstage, presumably. Food and drink will be limited to the lobby.

Some adjustments, like payments, hand sanitizing stations and contactless entry, will be on full display. Others, like COVID-era cleaning techniques, monitoring the health of the staff and upgraded air filtration technologies, will not.

What information is currently available regarding the venue's COVID protocols can be found here.

Prices for a single ticket currently start at a modest $29, and are available through the theater's site, DallasSummerMusicals.org or via phone at 800-982-2787 starting May 21. Anyone already holding a subscription can purchase now.

Looking for more Dallas news? Subscribe.