I saw one of the first performances of the first national tour in Boston & I do not recall that lyric change. Granted, it was 22 + years ago, but I'd think I'd remember that kind of change having been to Hicksville a gajillion times before that (and having listened to the OBCR steadily after seeing the show twice in NYC before seeing the show again in Boston)
As for the why? I'd imagine they think too many people wouldn't know Hicksville was a real place.
