SEATTLE — Kelli Erdmann was one of Marysville Pilchuck’s valedictorians when she graduated from high school in 2010.
By then she was already studying dance at Westlake Dance Center in Seattle and dreaming big.
Erdmann, now 23, is seeing those dreams come true, especially since being cast in the current national touring production of the Broadway musical “Wicked.”
The production is on stage through Aug. 2 at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle. Shows are 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. Sundays.
Erdmann hopes her friends will come out to see her.
“I am super excited to play the Paramount, which is where I first saw ‘Wicked’ in 2009,” she said. “I hope in some way that I can be an inspiration to anyone who grew up in a small place like Marysville. When you work hard and train, you can make things happen.”
With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, the musical is based on the 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire, which tells the back story of the witches of Oz.
The pitch from the producers goes like this: 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 popular. “Wicked” tells the story of how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.
“It’s such a great story,” Erdmann said, “with amazing themes about friendship between women, values and what it takes to be a friend. I am so honored to be a part of it.”
John Davidson, who plays the Wizard, will be familiar to many as the host of TV’s “Hollywood Squares” game show.
Erdmann is a member of the chorus and ensemble in the award-winning musical, playing, among other parts, a flying monkey and a citizen of Oz and a university student.
“I’m primarily a dancer, but I sing alto in the chorus. I grew up singing a bit in choirs, so it’s been really fun to add that to my career,” she said.
Erdmann, who started dancing at Pilchuck Dance Academy in Marysville and Olympic Ballet in Edmonds, moved to Los Angeles after high school where she continued her training at Edge Performing Arts Center and got an agent.
She began picking up work, first in numerous TV commercials, then with a part in the HBO movie “Behind the Candelabra,” and most recently in the TV show “Glee.”
“That was really a blast,” she said.
Earlier this year when her agent told her about the audition for “Wicked,” Erdmann decided she would give it her best shot.
“When they hired me for the tour, it was seriously the most shocking thing and a dream come true,” she said. “Very exciting.”
So far this year, she’s performed in North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Maryland, Ohio, Texas and Colorado.
“What a great way to see the country, with a great cast and crew. What a blessing.”
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @galefiege.
If you go
Tickets for “Wicked” start at $45 and are available online at stgpresents.org or by calling 877-784-4849. A day-of-performance lottery for a limited number of orchestra seats will be available 21/2 hours prior to each performance. Put your name in the lottery drum at the theater box office. If your name is called, you’ll have the chance to buy a ticket for $25 cash.
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