Wicked is staying!!

Well John (Frost) has confrimed that Wicked is making NO plans to move to Sydeny any time soon and that Wicked is staying at the Regent for all of 2009!!

"Wicked will stay in Melbourne for all of 2009 and is making no plans to come to
Sydney, producer John Frost has confirmed.

Despite rumours the show was
planning a run at the Capitol Theatre from late next year, Frost says no plans
have been made for a Sydney season and there is a major focus on keeping the
show in Melbourne for as long as possible.

"We haven’t even talked about
what we’re doing or where we are going after this," Frost said." Continue reading...

Wicked's new Boq

As you may or may not be aware, Anthony Callea is leaving Wicked in January, he only has a 6 month contract with the show, compared to alot of the others, who has a 1 year contract. Stuart Fisher will be taking over the role of Boq from Anthony.

I have uploaded one studio shot of Stuart for you. I have made a new album called Studio shots in the Photoshoots section but I need to uploaded Bert's at some point.

"Anthony Callea will leave Wicked shortly and is to be replaced by theatrical
newcomer Stuart Fisher.

Fisher will begin working with the company next
week, a production spokesperson has confirmed. He'll have wardrobe fittings and
then begin rehearsals for the role of Boq." Continue Reading...

Marketing the Key as Wicked keeps flying

Hey guys!
Wow Wicked sure has done alot of marketing!! Last week Amanda and Lucy sang One Short Day at the Myer Christmas Parade

I have got a download here for you. I am sorry it is such bad quality but at least you get to see it!!

Myer Christmas Parade

Description: Amanda Harrison and Lucy Durack sing 'One Short Day'
Size: 11.41 MB
Type: MPG
Time: 3:20
[DOWNLOAD]

"Amanda Harrison and Lucy Durack do so much promotional and marketing work that it's a wonder they have the energy to deliver such wonderful performances on stage every night at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne.

The stars of the hit musical Wicked are experiencing what can only be described as the results of a marketing machine that never stops; a wheel of special events, media commitments and promotional appearances that keeps going around and around." Continue Reading...

I have also added 2 more misc pictures 2 pictures with Andre Rieu when he saw it on the 16th November 2008.


That's all for now

New 5th Anniversy CD released!

Hey guys
A special 5th Anniversry edition CD has been released!! Read more below

A special fifth anniversary edition of the Wicked original cast recording has
been released, featuring never before heard tracks.

It is available
through Middle 8 Music in Melbourne.

The new tracks include a version of
'For Good' performed by Delta Goodrem and LeAnn Rimes, Kerry Ellis singing 'I'm
Not That Girl' and Stephanie Block singing 'Making Good'. Read more....

Confirmed: Bert is the New Wizard

Bert Newton has been confirmed to take over Rob Guest's role as the Wizard and is known as 'the theatre industry's worst kept secret' Below is an excerpt and I have uploaded one promo from it. I have also uploaded the souvenir program scans here. If you use these scans please credit Wicked Australia Fans as they are exclusive, I bought the program when i saw the show and scanned them in myself. As Bert is now the New Wizard I have added a bio page for him. I have still kept Rob's though as he was in the Original Melbourne Cast.

"Wicked producers have finally confirmed the theatre industry's worst kept secret: Bert Newton is to take over the role of the Wizard in the smash hit musical at Melbourne's Regent Theatre.

"I am overjoyed to be working with Bert again," Producer John Frost said.

"This will be the fourth musical we have done together. Bert has tremendous st

ar quality of course, but he also brings so much happiness - on both sides of the footlights - to any show he appears in."

Newton's appointment is tinged with sadness. He replaces Rob Guest, who died last month after suffering a massive stroke at his Melbourne home. Continue reading.."

Site matters

Hey guys,

So it seems that I have just used information from Aussietheatre.com, that is a fantastic source for Australian Theatre information so that I where I get a majority of the information. I have finished doing all the pages with content except that I have to still do the contact me, SOTM, Fave Elphie and Fave Glinda forms. If you would like to submit any of these please just email me at admin.wickedaustraliafans@inbox.com with the subject whatever the submission is (e.g Subject: Fave Elphie, Messege: Fave Elphie is Stephanie J. Block) and I will count it!! Also to apply to be affiliates put in the subject 'Affiliates' and  just put your name, website name, website addres, email address and whether you would like to be top, elite or regular.  I also have to fix the layout for some of the pages. You guys can go and sign up on the forum and look at the gallery, video archive at the moment had 23 videos, categories are performances, behind the scenes, misc and Interviews

Gallery Update:

Melbourne Production

With NY Cast

Preview Photocall

With Ben Cousins

Personal

Launch (February 12, 2008)

Opening night (July 12, 2008)

Opening Night After-party (July 12, 2008)

Misc

My exclusive photos: Melbourne + The Regent Theatre

I still have to add the souvenir book scans so look out for them!!

Thanks guys.

Cate

Wicked top $30 Million in box office sales

Hit musical Wicked has now taken more than $30 million at the box office and is showing no signs of any serious slow-down at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne.

The record-breaking production, which opened in July, stars Amanda Harrison and Lucy Durack and has become a huge success, with more than 320,000 tickets already sold.T

here are consistent rumours, however, that the show could move to Sydney next year and open at the Capitol Theatre.

Interestingly, 20 per cent of Wicked's ticket sales in Melbourne have come from interstate visitors.

Wicked is the untold story of the witches of Oz. 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 very popular. Wicked tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.

In his review of Wicked for AussieTheatre.com, Troy Dodds said, in part: "Wicked’s spectacular costumes and contemporary staging are the real stars of the show, and the gasp of wonderment from the audience when Elphaba (Amanda Harrison) flies into the air at the spectacular conclusion to act one embodies the incredible connection this show builds with an audience throughout. And such gasps keep coming, whether it be at one of the many hundreds of wonderful outfits or the strong, action-packed script that has so many surprises along the way that it almost makes Wicked a show you need to see two or three times to really take it all in."

This week, Harrison and Durack will sing the National Anthem at Oaks Day, part of the Spring Racing Carnival in Melbourne.Meanwhile, the Wicked cast met at the Regent Theatre late last month to discuss their producer’s request to re-use publicity footage at the Spring Racing Carnival, the ANZ website, the Regent Theatre website and Showbiz websites.

In other news, delegates at The Rocky Horror Show in Melbourne have worked with Equity to resolve a number of issues including the cleanliness of costumes, hazing effects and the inclusion of ensemble names on the show's website.

Aussietheatre.com

Wicked's new Wizard

Bert Newton will play the Wizard in the Australian production of Wicked at Melbourne's Regent Theatre, it is believed.

Newton will be the permanent replacement for Rob Guest, who tragically died earlier this month after suffering a massive stroke.

The entertainment veteran, best known for his television work, will take over the role in November. Rodney Dobson will fill in until then.

Newton has already been rehearsing with the cast.On stage, Newton has appeared in musicals such as The Wizard Of Oz and The Sound Of Music and most recently, The Producers.

He is currently employed by the Nine Network where he hosts the popular light entertainment clips program 20 to 1 as well as special events.

Aussietheatre.com

Hundred pay tribute

Family, friends, colleagues and fans have gathered at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne this afternoon to say a final goodbye to musical theatre veteran Rob Guest at a public memorial.

Leading lady Marina Prior spoke of Guest as a "gentleman" who was a "constant friend". Christina Tan spoke of her time touring with Guest, while Wicked star Amanda Harrison broke down as she paid tribute to "her Wizard". Anthony Callea performed, while a letter was read out from Andrew Lloyd Webber.

A special video tribute was played, which earned a mixture of laughs - particularly when it came to footage of Guest in his pop star days - and tears, as the theatre industry and general public alike remembered a wonderful entertainer.

Guest died after suffering a massive stroke at his Melbourne home earlier this month. He was just 58.

Aussietheatre.com

Rob Guest Farewelled

Family, friends and close industry colleagues have farewelled theatrical veteran Rob Guest at a private and sombre funeral service in Sydney.

The funeral was held yesterday at St Peters Presbyterian Church in North Sydney. It follows Guest's sudden death earlier this month from a massive stroke.The general public and others touched by Guest's extraordinary career will have an opportunity to pay tribute to his life at a public memorial in Melbourne on Monday.

It is expected that his partner Kellie Dickerson, entertainment legend Bert Newton and Wicked producer John Frost will all speak at the memorial, while Sir Cameron Mackintosh has recorded a video tribute.

At the memorial, there is expected to be a significant announcement from ANZ about a permanent tribute to Guest, and the major impact he had on the entertainment industry. ANZ is a major sponsor of Wicked, the show in which Guest was starring at the time of his death.

Aussietheatre.com

Rob Guest Memorial to be held Monday

A public memorial for veteran performer Rob Guest is to be held at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne next Monday, October 13.

Guest died last week after suffering a stroke at his Melbourne home. He was 58 years old.

His death has stunned the entertainment industry and the general public alike, and the Regent Theatre is expected to be packed by those wishing to pay tribute to an extraordinary career and a remarkable man.

The memorial will begin at 12.30pm and everyone will be invited to attend, but details are still being finalised.Guest's funeral is to be held in Sydney.

Last night, Broadway At Bedtime on Melbourne radio station JOY 94.9 dedicated its program to Guest's legacy via an hour-long tribute.

Aussietheatre.com

Tributes flow in for Rob Guest

The Australian entertainment industry remains stunned following the death of theatrical veteran Rob Guest earlier this week, with tributes continuing to flow in for the star of The Phantom Of The Opera and Wicked.

Guest, 58, suffered a massive stroke late on Tuesday night and died 24 hours later, with his family and partner Kellie Dickerson by his side. Dickerson is the Musical Director on Wicked.

Respected theatre performer James Lee, who performed with Guest in Les Miserables and Phantom, told AussieTheatre.com that there were many fond memories of the stage legend.

"There are many images and memories I have of Rob Guest," Lee said."His excitement and pride when his daughter Amy was born in Brisbane while we were doing Les Mis. The water skiing afternoons in his boat where Rob could never believe how well I would do. His passion for the craft and this industry we work in. His love for his family, his cars and boats.

"He was always there for a charity gig in some form or another if asked. And then there are his practical jokes; sometimes funny, sometimes pathetic, always consistent. When Rob’s dearly loved dresser Norman passed away while we were doing Phantom in 1997, Rob spoke to us as a cast and broke down when speaking of Norman's passing. It’s now our time to cry for you my friend. You are now up there with him, Dave Etheridge and Brian Stacey having a ball. All taken too soon. Vale Rob Guest. You will be missed."

Marina Prior, who starred with Guest in The Phantom Of The Opera, said he would be "terribly missed".

"It was an absolute privilege to have known him and worked with him," Prior said. "He was a great leader of a company and a great mentor."

Helen Clark, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, where Guest made a name for himself as a pop star, has also expressed her deep sadness over his death.

Aussietheatre.com

Wicked Cast back on Stage

The cast of Wicked returned to the stage on Thursday night to deliver an emotional performance of the hit musical at the Regent Theatre - the first since the sudden passing of stage legend Rob Guest, who was playing The Wizard in the production.

Wicked co-producer John Frost addressed the audience before the curtain went up, explaining that it would be an extremely tough night for the cast and describing Guest as a "father figure".

The performance was dedicated to his memory, and at times throughout the night the emotional strain on many cast members was obvious. Both Lucy Durack and Amanda Harrison struggled to get through the poignant number 'For Good'.There was a solid standing ovation - though that's not rare at Wicked - and a particularly strong response for Rodney Dobson, who has the tough job of filling Guest's shoes as The Wizard.

Television cameras filmed the final moments of the show, as the media continues to follow the story extensively. National Nine News led with the story of Guest's death across the country, a sign of his tremendous reach across the general population.

Flowers adorned the Regent Theatre prior to the performance, with several arrangements left under photos of Guest as The Wizard, an emotional reminder of the role of a lifetime for a man who had achieved so much.

Guest died in the very early hours of Thursday morning, 24 hours after suffering a massive stroke at his Melbourne home. He was rushed to hospital in the minutes following his collapse, but his condition deteriorated quickly.

On Thursday night, theatre companies across the country dedicated performances in his honour.

"Rob Guest was one of Australian music theatre’s biggest stars, and the most easy-going of stars," Frost said. "He may have had top billing but at all times he came across to us – producers, fellow cast members and backstage crew – as an irrepressible, always cheerful optimist. An all round good bloke. All of us who knew him are shocked and deeply saddened."

Guest's funeral service is likely to be held early next week, while plans for a public memorial are also underway. It's likely to be held at the Regent Theatre later this month.

Aussietheatre.com

Public Memorial for Rob Guest

There will be a public memorial for theatrical veteran Rob Guest after an extraordinary reaction to his sudden death overnight, with plans being discussed with his family.

Guest's death is front page news in Melbourne and has led television and radio news bulletins for much of the day. There has been countless tributes across talkback radio and the internet since news of his death broke early this morning.

The public memorial is likely to be held at the Regent Theatre late next week. The venue is currently housing Wicked, in which Guest was starring as The Wizard.

Tonight's performance of Wicked at the Regent Theatre is expected to go ahead, with theatre companies across the country preparing to dedicate performances to Guest's memory.

Musical theatre leading lady Marina Prior said Guest would be "terribly missed".

There is obvious concern for Guest's partner Kellie Dickerson, who he had been with for 10 years.

Dickerson is the musical director on Wicked, and the show's co-producer John Frost admitted returning to work would be a harrowing experience.

"She stands in that orchestra pit every night looking up at the stage at him singing his songs,'' Frost told The Age.

"My biggest fear is that she will eventually have to come back to work and have to look up onto that stage and he won't be there. In his costume will be somebody else ... that is going to be really painful and personal."

Aussietheatre.com

Theatre Legend Rob Guest dies

Australian theatre veteran Rob Guest has died at the age of 57 after suffering a massive stroke at his Melbourne home on Tuesday night.

Guest collapsed at around 10pm on Tuesday while working on his computer and was rushed to hospital, where he remained on life support until his death late on Wednesday evening.

The theatrical mainstay had been playing the Wizard in the record-breaking Australian production of Wicked at the Regent Theatre, and showed no signs of illness when he appeared in the show on Sunday night.

Guest's partner, Kellie Dickerson, is Wicked's musical director.Awarded an OBE for his services to the New Zealand Entertainment Industry, Guest began his career in the New Zealand pop charts. He performed in almost 40 musicals and TV productions in New Zealand, Asia and America and came to Australia to audition for Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Les Misérables. He took over the lead role of Jean Valjean and performed it as he toured Australia and New Zealand for the next three and a half years. In 1995, he went to London at Cameron Mackintosh’s invitation to appear in the 10th Anniversary production of Les Misérables.

In 1992 he was cast as The Phantom in The Phantom Of The Opera and performed the role for a record 2,289 performances over seven years.

"Rob Guest is one of Australian music theatre’s biggest stars: there have been few bigger in our lifetime," Wicked co-producer John Frost said.

Guest's role in Wicked was seen as a comeback of sorts. He had been missing from the commercial musical arena for some time, but was extremely passionate about the show and its anticipated long season in Melbourne.

But no matter how big Wicked is to become, Guest will always be known as The Phantom, with his record-breaking run something to behold. It is a tenure that still holds respect across suburban Australia, and the theatre industry itself.

Rodney Dobson played the Wizard in both Wednesday performances of Wicked and it is unclear whether or not the show will go ahead tonight.

The opening night performance of The Production Company's Mame was dedicated to Guest on Wednesday night, with many of his close friends - including leading lady Rhonda Burchmore - part of the cast.

Aussietheatre.com

Rob Guest on Life Support

One of the veterans of Australian musical theatre, Rob Guest, is fighting for his life in hospital after suffering a massive stroke at his Melbourne home last night.

AussieTheatre.com understands the 57-year-old, who is currently starring in the musical Wicked at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne, is on life support after his condition worsened overnight.

Guest is playing the Wizard in Wicked and his partner, Kellie Dickerson, is the show's musical director. The cast of the show was informed of the news prior to today's matinee performance."Rob Guest is one of Australian music theatre’s biggest stars: there have been few bigger in our lifetime," Wicked producer John Frost said this afternoon.

"He is, nonetheless, the most easy-going of stars. He may have top billing but at all times he comes across to us – producers, fellow cast membes and backstage crew – as an irrepressible, always cheerful optimist. An all round good bloke. All of us who know him are shocked."

Guest had appeared in Wicked over the weekend and had shown no signs of illness. Members of his family are flying in from New Zealand to be by his bedside.

Media reports this afternoon suggest the outlook for Guest is "extremely grim".

Awarded an OBE for his services to the New Zealand Entertainment Industry, Rob Guest began his career in the New Zealand pop charts. He has performed in almost 40 musicals and TV productions in New Zealand, Asia and America and came to Australia to audition for Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Les Misérables. He took over the lead role of Jean Valjean and performed it as he toured Australia and New Zealand for the next three and a half years. In 1995, he went to London at Cameron Mackintosh’s invitation to appear in the 10th Anniversary production of Les Misérables.

In 1992 he was cast as The Phantom in The Phantom Of The Opera and performed the role for a record 2,289 performances over seven years.Rodney Dobson is playing The Wizard in Wicked until further notice.

Aussietheatre.com

Wicked cast to perform at Light The Night

The upcoming Light The Night charity concert has been bolstered with news that Amanda Harrison and Lucy Durack will perform at the event on November 10.

Harrison and Durack are currently starring in the blockbuster musical Wicked and will be joined at Light The Night by fellow cast members Anthony Callea, Penny McNamee and Maggie Kirkpatrick.

Now in its fourth year, Light The Night has become an extremely popular annual concert, raising funds for leukaemia research and the Arrow Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation.

Amanda, Lucy, Anthony, Penny and Maggie will join other performers giving freely of their time for this worthy cause. Those already confirmed are singer/songwriter Lior, country stunners the McClymonts, television and musical star Tim Campbell, the inimitable Maria Venuti, jazz star Emma Pask with Phil Stack, All Saints actor Virginia Gay, winner of the 2008 AussieTheatre.com Rising Star competition Erin Cornell, and musical theatre divas Margi de Ferranti, Emma Powell and Francesca Arena.

Light The Night is inspired by Matthew Rennie, a brave young man who fought a three year battle against leukaemia. Unfortunately Matthew passed away in late October last year, shortly before the 2007 concert. Light the Night was created by Matthew’s two brothers, musical theatre performers Shaun Rennie and Adam Rennie, and friends Monica Smith and Greg Smith.

Light The Night 2008 will be held at the City Recital Hall in Sydney at 7.30pm on November 10. Bookings: (02) 8256 2222.

Aussietheatre.com

Oh and I am currentley uploading videos for the Video Archive, creating a layout for the forum, uploading pics to the gallery and finishing updating every page, including bios and linking everything up together, please bare with me as this is a school project and its taking sooo long to be able to do stuff on it!! If you would like to donate pics from other productions that you have seen or merchandise or anything including videos, please send them to admin.wickedaustraliafans@inbox.com, all donations are welcome and you will be credited highly, thank you in advance for all your donations

Wicked girls score top gig

Amanda Harrison and Lucy Durack will perform the National Anthem at this year's AFL Grand Final, one of world sport's biggest events.

The Grand Final on September 27 will be watched by almost 99,000 people at the ground, an Australian television audience of 4.3 million, and another 120 million viewers internationally.

Harrison and Durack, who star in the smash hit musical Wicked, say they are thrilled with the honour.

"The MCG on Grand Final Day, what a stage!," Harrison said.

Durack added: "What an audience – around 125 million!’ And above all, what a privilege!"

John Frost, Wicked's co-producer, said he was thrilled when the AFL invited the girls to sing the Anthem.

"Amanda and Lucy sing together in Wicked, and bring the house down, but they’ll never have a duet to match this," he said. "I think it’s every Australian performer's private dream: singing the Anthem, hearing the roar of 100,000 and taking the bows before the bounce of the ball for our biggest sporting event.

"Wicked is playing to sell out audiences at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne. And at the MCG there won’t be a seat unsold. Showbusiness and Australian footy – there’s no business like them!"

Harrison and Durack follow a long line of distinguished artists who have sung the National Anthem at the Grand Final, among them Peter Allen (1980); Rolf Harris (1982); Olivia Newton-John (1986); Archie Roach and Yothu Yindi (1993); Tina Turner (1995); Julie Anthony and INXS (2001); Killing Heidi (2002); Christine Anu (2003); Guy Sebastian (2004); Delta Goodrem and Michael Buble (2005); Irena Cara and John Paul Young (2006): and, last year, Jet and Natalie Bassingthwaite.

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou said: "The AFL is delighted and honoured to have Amanda Harrison and Lucy Durack as part of the 2008 Toyota AFL Grand Final to perform the National Anthem. Amanda and Lucy have been the stars of Australian theatre in 2008 with their roles in Wicked and we are extremely pleased to be able to bring our country’s finest stage talent to the biggest sporting event on the Australian calendar."

The Grand Final will be broadcast live on free-to-air television.

Aussietheatre.com

Will Poppins delay opening to avoid clash?

The forthcoming production of Mary Poppins may delay its opening to avoid a potentially dangerous clash with runaway hit Wicked in Sydney, sources close to the production say.

Mary Poppins is expected to open at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney in October 2009 but a clash with Wicked could prove disastrous. Wicked, which opened in Melbourne in July, is doing big business at the box office and has exceeded all expectations.

If Wicked lasts 14 months in Melbourne - which is said to be the current theory - it would move to Sydney's Lyric Theatre as early as late September 2009 and would be open for just a matter of weeks before Mary Poppins commenced performances.

While there is little doubt Mary Poppins will be a major success - particularly with families - it would be dangerous to run two mammoth musicals in the one city at the same time.

It is understood that the producers of Mary Poppins are in the very least considering putting off their opening for several months until the excitement surrounding Wicked dies down.

Wicked producers have never confirmed a Sydney season, instead promoting the Melbourne run across the country in an attempt to lure the tourist market.

Aussietheatre.com

Wicked gets Blitzed

Blockbuster musical Wicked will feature in an episode of the hit Channel Nine reality series Domestic Blitz on Sunday night, focused on the senseless attack on Sydney woman Lauren Huxley.

Huxley was bashed, set alight and left for dead in her home in November 2005 and her story and brave recovery has inspired tens of thousands of people across the country.

This Sunday's episode of Domestic Blitz details the extraordinary resilience of Lauren and her family and provides them with a little well-deserved joy.

Wicked, which opened at the Regent Theatre in July and has been a major success story, plays a big part in the episode.Domestic Blitz airs at 6.30pm on Sunday on Channel Nine.

Aussietheatre.com

Wicked Australia Trailer

Here is the Wicked Australia Trailer








Wicked Australia Trailer
Description: Wicked Australia Trailer for Melbourne 2008
Time: 32 secs
Size: 1.23 MB
Type: FLV
[YOUTUBE] [DOWNLOAD]

Wicked cast at Hats Off

Cast members of the smash hit musical Wicked, which is currently playing at Melbourne's Regent Theatre, will be amongst those performing at Hats Off, to be staged in Melbourne on September 7.

Presented by Oz Showbiz Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (OSCEFA), Hats Off has become an annual concert institution in the diaries of Melbourne’s theatre and cabaret regulars.

In 2008 OSCEFA is donating funds raised through Hats Off to the Sister Rose Papua New Guinea Project which runs an orphanage and respite care centre for people living with HIV/AIDS. In 2004 Papua New Guinea became the fourth country in the Asia Pacific region to declare an HIV/AIDS epidemic. By 2006, a total of 18,484 people had been diagnosed with HIV in Papua New Guinea. By 2025, half a million people will be living with HIV/AIDS, and 117,000 children will have lost their mothers to the preventable disease.

OSCEFA is proud to support the Sister Rose Papua New Guinea Project in its ongoing care for HIV/AIDS affected orphans and those in desperate need of respite care. Sister Rose aims to change the fearful attitude toward HIV/AIDS with one of acceptance and education. “We are trying to get people to understand this is a sickness like any other, that it can be treated, and that those who have it can lead normal lives,” she said. While there is no cure for the virus, her program aims to combat prejudice against the disease through prevention programs and safe-sex education.

As well as cast members from Wicked, next month's event will also feature Tracy Bartram, Debra Byrne, Paul Capsis, Tania Doko, iOTA, Dave O’Neil, Marty Fields, Alan Fletcher, David Harris, Matt Hetherington, Wayne-Scott Kermond, Warren Kermond and Zan Kermond, Melissa Langton and Mark Jones, Dean Lotherington, Shaun Murphy and Anne Wood, Lisa-Marie Charalambous and Chris Parker, Anne Phelan, Chelsea Plumley, David Rogers-Smith, The Ross Skiffington Grand Magic Company, The Classics, Espero Vocal Ensemble, the Hats Off Dancers and more.

Hats Off 2008 is being held at the National Theatre. Bookings: 132 849.

Wicked TV special to air

The Seven Network will air a special behind the scenes look at the blockbuster musical Wicked this weekend, but only into Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Other states will miss out on the 30 minute special, which will be hosted by Rob Guest.

Wicked has been the talk of theatre circles since its glamorous opening night in Melbourne last month. It is one of the most expensive productions ever staged in Australia but producers look set to recoup their investment, with the show breaking box office records.Behind The Scenes Of Wicked airs in Victoria on Channel Seven at 5:00pm on Saturday.

Aussietheatre.com

Does YouTube spoil the magic?

More and more audio clips illegally recorded inside Sydney and Melbourne theatres are appearing on internet website YouTube, but anonymity means offenders will probably never be caught.

The opening of blockbuster musical Wicked in Melbourne has sparked a flurry of illegal audio recorded from the audience - some of it from the opening night performance on July 12.

There are currently at least 10 illegal audio clips on YouTube from Wicked, many including performances by leading ladies Amanda Harrison and Lucy Durack.

Audio from the Sydney production of The Rocky Horror Show popped up on the website earlier this month, while audio and video from other Australian productions also features on YouTube.

Neil Gooding, who produced The Hatpin in Sydney earlier this year, said such content ending up online can have its advantages and disadvantages for shows.

"I think that there can certainly be some advantages - for example the High School Musical phenomenon was fuelled dramatically by illegal material on YouTube,"

Gooding said."But I think it is tough on the performers as the live recordings can sometimes be very harsh on their performances. I think maybe it is just a new techological phenomenon that we may just have to accept, and possibly even embrace. I don't think the producers are ever really going to have the resources to prosecute the offenders."

Performer James Millar, who has appeared in countless musicals, condemned those who put up illegal audio and video on content sharing websites."To film a theatre performance and release it is not only an invasion of privacy, but is also doing theatre an injustice, as it is being captured as less than what it is and sent out as a rendition of that," Millar said."That is why the conditions with which filming or recording are done in theatre are always very delicate and smartly done. It's often done as a "fan thing", but its entirely unsupportive and shady. Come and watch it in the moment. If not, wait for a recording of it that has been done with care and precision."

Aussietheatre.com

Wicked leaves more records in its wake

Wicked has taken a box office gross of $1,691,529 for the week ending July 20 (eight performances), a new record in Melbourne theatre.

It's not the first record the Australian production of the smash hit tuner has left in its wake, however.

Last Monday, following the show's opening at the Regent Theatre on July 12, the rush for tickets set a new one-day box office sales record for any Melbourne Theatre.

And in just three hours on February 13, when advance bookings first opened in Melbourne, group bookers snapped up advance tickets worth $2.3 million – a record for Australian musical theatre.

Wicked now holds $13 million in advance sales, and last week released a further 60,000 seats for sale.“Wicked is unique,” said the musical’s co-producer, John Frost. “Week by week it just gets bigger and bigger. This is a spectacular musical that has won the big the awards: a Grammy for Best Musical Show album - the album has sold more than two million copies - three Tony Awards and six Drama Desks including Best Musical. The amazing book that goes with the show, Wicked The Grimmerie, has sold 200,000 copies."

Wicked is the untold story of the witches of Oz. 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 very popular. Wicked tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.

In his review of Wicked for AussieTheatre.com, Troy Dodds said, in part: "Wicked’s spectacular costumes and contemporary staging are the real stars of the show, and the gasp of wonderment from the audience when Elphaba (Amanda Harrison) flies into the air at the spectacular conclusion to act one embodies the incredible connection this show builds with an audience throughout. And such gasps keep coming, whether it be at one of the many hundreds of wonderful outfits or the strong, action-packed script that has so many surprises along the way that it almost makes Wicked a show you need to see two or three times to really take it all in."

Wicked is expected to run at Melbourne's Regent Theatre for at least 18 months before moving to Sydney. Bookings: 132 849.

Aussietheatre.com

Wicked breaks box office record

Wicked co-producer John Frost says the reaction and box office success of the show has exceeded his "wildest expectations" as news comes through that the musical has broken the one-day box office record for Melbourne theatre.

The Monday after opening at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre on July 12, the rush for tickets set a new box office record, with $1.5 million in sales. Wicked now holds an astonishing $13 million in advance sales.

It follows an incredible opening weekend in which the attention the show garnered was unprecedented. Reviews have been largely stunning, and the marketing and publicity machine continues to work over time.

“The fantastic critical reaction and overwhelming audience excitement for Wicked in Melbourne has exceeded our wildest expectations," Frost said. "We always felt there was a huge audience for Wicked in Australia and we’re thrilled that Melbourne has embraced this spectacular musical as its own."

"We’re proud to join the list of international ‘Emerald Cities’ which Wicked can call home for a long and healthy run and we thank the Broadway producers, Marc Platt and David Stone, for choosing to mount this spectacular production with us here in Melbourne.”

The production at the Regent Theatre stars Amanda Harrison as Elphaba and Lucy Durack as Glinda.Frost said he expects sales to continue to be solid, given Wicked's strong box office history overseas and the incredible word of mouth it garners from those who see it.

"They all spread the Wicked word. Wicked grows by word of mouth in a way and to a degree unlike any show I know," he said.

"And Wicked, unlike almost all shows, maintains and builds on its advance sales. At the moment we’re holding $13 million in advance sales and this week we’ve put another 60,000 seats on sale. They’re selling fast."

Wicked is enjoying a relatively free reign over Melbourne at the moment, with only the tail end of the Guys And Dolls run and The Production Company's Follies as box office competition. Things will get tougher, however, with The Rocky Horror Show opening in September and blockbuster musical Jersey Boys just around the corner.

Aussietheatre.com

Wicked film likely?

As excitement continues to surround the opening of the Australian production of the blockbuster musical Wicked, there is renewed speculation that the show could be turned into a multi-million dollar film.

As the movie-musical comeback continues - the most recent success story being Mamma Mia!, which has achieved extraordinary publicity - there is talk that Elphaba and Glinda could soon be taking on the silver screen.Producer Marc Platt has told Variety that he and Wicked co-producer David Stone are currently in "early movie talks" with Universal Pictures. Winnie Holzman, who penned the Tony-nominated book for Wicked, would write the film's screenplay. No casting has been mentioned.

Universal Pictures production president Donna Langley said: "Our goal now is absolutely to make the Wicked film, but much like Judy Craymer wouldn't give up screen rights to Mamma Mia! until the stage show had reached its pinnacle, Marc and Stephen Schwartz are very mindful of the right timing. But we're dying to do it."

Wicked is a smash hit all around the world and it would seem similar success is likely in Australia, with extremely positive reviews following last Saturday's premiere in Melbourne. Early reports indicate the show has done incredibly well at the box office this week and is likely to run for at least a year the Regent Theatre.

60,000 new seats went on sale on Monday for the Melbourne season, which has been given no closing date at this stage.Meanwhile, Wicked's youngest cast member says the experience of being involved with the show has been "absolutely amazing".

17-year-old Romina Villafranca, who is in the show's ensemble, said she is loving the experience of working on such a mammoth show.

"We have had a great response, and have been given a few standing ovations," she told the Illawarra Mercury.

"It is such an awesome show and the cast are absolutely fantastic, particularly the leads ... they are all really genuine people."

In his review of Wicked for AussieTheatre.com, Troy Dodds said, in part: "So often we look at shows and it’s easy to pinpoint errors and when they were made, whether it was in the casting room, the rehearsal process or the day-to-day performances themselves. Wicked, however, gets it so right. The casting is strong, the staging is wonderful, the direction and musical direction is spot on and as expected given its international success, the script is tight and punchy."

Aussietheatre.com

Opening Night guests paint the town green

The cast of Wicked painted the town green last night during their opening night party at the Sofitel, celebrating the biggest musical ever to hit Australian shores.

Arguably the largest event of its kind to be staged in Melbourne, this delightfully Wicked function proved that Melbourne sure know how to throw a party. Over 1700 guests were greeted with pink and green cocktails, setting the mood for the night to follow. Two of the Sofitel’s ballrooms were decorated to represent the two Witches of Oz, Elphaba and Glinda - The ‘green’ room, complete with mini Dragon Time Clock and green mood lighting, and a ‘pink’ room, adorned with mirrors and white drapes.

Amanda Harrison (Elphaba), Lucy Durack (Glinda) and the cast arrived in the Wicked an hour after the function began, and looked radiant after the thrill of an opening night standing ovation. Harrison was sporting over $90,000 worth of diamonds, and had a bodyguard with her all night, and Durack shone in a stunning red gown. Guests at the party included Chris Lilley (Summer Heights High), Sean Micalef, Jane Turner and Gina Riley (Kath And Kim), Peter Costello, Nikki Webster, Bree Amer (Big Brother) and Tim Campbell.

Aussietheatre.com

Durack steals the show as Wicked witches shine

Australian musical theatre welcomed a new top-flight star last night with Lucy Durack giving the standout performance at the opening night of blockbuster musical Wicked at the Regent Theatre.

Durack's extraordinary turn as Glinda came complete with wonderful comic timing, an obvious understanding of the requirements of the role and of course, sensational vocals, highlighted by her trademark number, 'Popular'.

While the strain of the rehearsal process was obvious in some of the vocal performances of the principals, the signs were extremely good that the casting team have got things spot on when it comes to the Australian premiere production. Durack, born in Perth, has worked on various musicals - including many for The Production Company in Melbourne - but there is no doubting Wicked is her big break and the show that could make her a household name.

Wearing a stunning red dress, Durack beamed at the show's after-party last night, speaking of how extraordinary the experience has been for her and her on stage partner in crime, Amanda Harrison.

For Harrison, the show is the culmination of years of hard work, with key roles in shows such as Leader Of The Pack and Miss Saigon leading to the extraordinary mountain that is Elphaba in Wicked, a demanding yet fulfilling role that is now one of the most recognised in musical theatre history.

Her rendition of 'No Good Deed' at the opening night performance was a five star standout.

Harrison's husband Scott and Durack's partner Chris were both in attendance at last night's performance, beaming with pride, while both girls had family members in attendance.

The rehearsal schedule has been demanding for the duo, as has the media work with constant photo and interview engagements from February onwards.

Aussietheatre.com

Wicked Opens with a bang

Blockbuster musical Wicked last night commenced performances in Melbourne with a solid standing ovation from an opening night audience made up of celebrities, investors and theatre industry representatives.

The Regent Theatre was packed to capacity for the show, which created an extraordinary buzz at interval and an even bigger positive reaction at its completion, and at the star-studded after-party.

The after-party, held at the Sofitel in Melbourne, was one of the biggest parties of its kind ever held in the city - spanning at least three major rooms and featuring extraordinary catering and green and pink cocktails.

Earlier, opening night guests walked the green carpet as the media clamoured for photographs, with spotlights working overtime and a Melbourne radio station broadcasting live from the event.

The performance commenced around 10 minutes late, at 7.10pm, but everything went off without a hitch, a stellar workout that the cast and creative team must surely be thrilled by.

Wicked, already a major hit overseas, tells the back-story to The Wizard Of Oz with particular focus on the two witches - Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West, who in this tale is given a name, Elphaba.

The duo form an unlikely friendship as mysteries unravel, all mixed with one of the most iconic contemporary musical theatre scores, which is leading a new generation of youngsters into the theatre.

The show is expected to be a major success story in Melbourne, running for anywhere up to three years at the Regent before even considering a move, most likely to Sydney.

Melbourne had been "turned green" for last night's premiere, with street lamps on Collins Street changing colour and the buzz of the city evident as guests began to arrive for the opening night performance.

For the cast who partied into the night and celebrated an extraordinary achievement, reality now sets in: Eight shows a week for who knows how long.

Aussietheatre.com

Exciment builds in Melbourne

Tonight is the night Australian musical theatre comes of age, with years of rumours, anticipation and excitement surrounding blockbuster show Wicked culminating in a gala premiere at Melbourne's Regent Theatre.

The most anticipated show in Australian musical theatre history, this production has already broken records, and is expected to become a phenomenon in Australia and make its stars household names.

Starring Amanda Harrison as Elphaba and Lucy Durack as Glinda, Wicked tells the backstory to the much-loved children's tale The Wizard Of Oz, with particular focus on the witches and their personal journeys.

The cast also features the legendary duo Rob Guest and Maggie Kirkpatrick, along with newcomers Anthony Callea and Rob Mills and Rodney Dobson and Penny McNamee.

Wicked is this generation's Les Miserables or The Phantom Of The Opera, and its key roles - Elphaba and Glinda - have become two of the most iconic in music theatre history. Idina Menzel won a Tony Award in 2004 for her performance as Elphaba on Broadway.

Stage legend Rob Guest, who played the Phantom in The Phantom Of The Opera for thousands of performances, said Wicked is unlike anything he has ever been involved with.

"This is more high tech than any show I have done," he told Channel Nine.

"It has transformed the Regent Theatre. You walk in there and you are part of Wicked as soon as you are there, that's the exciting thing."

The publicity and marketing machines have been working overtime in Melbourne in preparation for tonight's opening, with parts of the city turned green as the show takes hold as a major tourist event.

Tonight's opening night performance begins at 7pm, with an exclusive after-party scheduled for the Sofitel Melbourne just after 10pm. It is there when co-producer John Frost and the creative team will have their first indication of how the show has been received artistically, ahead of a week's worth of reviews.Wicked is likely to remain in Melbourne for 18 months, and while no tour has been confirmed yet, it is expected to be in Sydney either late 2009 or early 2010, depending on the box office performance of its premiere season.

Aussietheatre.com

Wicked to introduce lottery system

Blockbuster musical Wicked will replicate a successful international system in which cut price tickets are available via a lottery for its Melbourne season at the Regent Theatre.

A limited number of $30 tickets will be made available for each performance in the front row, with a limit of two tickets per person. Names will be taken at the box office two and a half hours prior to each performance, with the lottery drawn two hours before a show begins.

The lottery will begin for performances from Wednesday, July 16.

The system is a massive hit on Broadway, with hundreds of people lining up to take part in the lottery, aiming to get front row tickets for $25.

Wicked commences performances at the Regent Theatre on Saturday night.

Aussietheatre.com

Amanda Ready to Fly

When Amanda Harrison takes to the stage as Elphaba on July 12 at the opening night of Wicked, it will be almost three years to the day since she gave new life to the almost-there musical Leader Of The Pack at the Palms At Crown Melbourne.

It was July 14, 2005 and after a Sydney season a couple of years earlier that didn't go down all that well, Leader Of The Pack tried its luck in Melbourne, and Harrison gave it the knockout punch it so desperately needed.

Moments like that, however, have littered the career of Amanda Harrison. They are moments that have proven to audiences, critics and producers that she was something out of the ordinary; something very special.

The Sydney-born Talent Development Project graduate made her professional stage debut as a teenager as Jenny in Aspects Of Love. It was 1993, and while her name might not have been on everyone's lips back then, a journey had begun.

And what a journey it has been.

Ironically, Harrison's emergence was almost stunted when she was accepted into the Western Australian Academy Of Performing Arts (WAAPA). She was at WAAPA for six weeks and then left after landing the role of Betty in Sunset Boulevard. She hasn't looked back since - roles in Les Miserables, The Journey Girl, Mame, The Boy From Oz and Guys and Dolls followed, before the UK beckoned. Abroad, she starred in a host of shows and also managed to meet the man who would eventually become her husband, and the father to her only daughter.

When she returned to Australia, the role of Oz in We Will Rock You became her own - it was a stellar performance that gave her newfound respect within the industry, and led to bigger and better things.

The birth of her first child, a solo cabaret show and a few other roles followed, before she landed Elphaba in Wicked - one of the most powerful female roles in musical theatre.

As Amanda Harrison readies for opening night, there is very little doubt that her journey is far from over - indeed, it's just beginning.

Wicked opens at the Regent Theatre on July 12. Bookings: 132 849.

Aussietheatre.com

Wicked TV Speical airs Saturday

A special featuring cast members of the musical Wicked will air via pay television provider Foxtel on Saturday night.

An Audience With The Cast Of Wicked was filmed at Foxtel's North Ryde studios last month and features interviews, performances and questions from the audience.Hosted by Rob Guest, the special features Amanda Harrison, Rob Mills, Maggie Kirkpatrick, Lucy Durack and Anthony Callea.

Harrison and Mills perform a stunning rendition of 'As Long As You're Mine' while Durack belts out Glinda's trademark number, 'Popular'.

An Audience With The Cast Of Wicked airs on the W Channel at 7.15pm on Saturday night. It will also be replayed several times, with subscribers advised to check their local guides.

Aussietheatre.com

Ready to give birth

Wicked co-producer John Frost has likened Wicked's opening night on July 12 to giving birth, saying a long journey is ahead to ensure the show remains successful in the long-term.

Speaking with AussieTheatre.com in the lead-up to this month's Australian premiere, a confident Frost said the entire Wicked experience has been incredible, but he's determined not to get too carried away too early."

We're going to have this child on July 12 and then the hard bit comes which is raising it and bringing it up and making sure it's healthy," Frost said."I'm not getting over-relaxed where I can say this is going to be huge. I am hoping it will be but you always hold a bit in reserve."

Wicked, which tells the back story to The Wizard Of Oz, is the largest project Frost has ever worked on.

"It is the biggest show I have ever undertaken, and where I have been lucky is that I have had the joy of working on it for two years and have had the opportunity to tick the right boxes marketing wise and creatively," he said.

"It is one of the biggest shows Australia has ever seen and it's huge down here - you can feel the buzz on the streets of Melbourne."

Frost said he would like to keep Wicked in Melbourne for 18 months, but said it is possible it could stay for longer.

"There's thoughts of other places but at this point in time we are totally concentrating on Melbourne and obviously the show needs to meet certain targets before we can even consider taking it somewhere else," he said.

The confident Frost said opening Wicked in July was "strategically planned", giving the show the opportunity to work through into different holiday periods and survive the cold winter period based on the excitement of the initial months.Wicked opens at the Regent Theatre on July 12.

Aussietheatre.com

Illegal Wicked recording Online

A controversial recording featuring a performance by Amanda Harrison and Lucy Durack during Friday night's first preview of Wicked has found its way onto the internet.

The good quality audio featuring Harrison's show-stopping number as Elphaba, 'Defying Gravity', was posted on video sharing website YouTube within 24 hours of Friday's preview performance.

The file is most likely illegal as recording of the show from the audience is strictly prohibited.

In addition to the 'Defying Gravity' clip, there is also audio of Penny McNamee as Nessa, posted by the same user from the same preview performance on Friday.

It is a sign of modern technology, and illegal copies of the Broadway version of Wicked, filmed from the audience, have been floating around for some time.

The audio clips have created a flurry of user comments on the website, potentially hurting the entire point of previews.

Aussietheatre.com

Wicked readies for previews

The five-year wait is almost over: the smash hit Broadway musical Wicked commences preview performances at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne on Friday night ahead of its gala opening on July 12.

Since premiering in America in 2003, Wicked has been an unstoppable success story, winning a swag of major awards and breaking box office records around the world.

The Australian production, which stars Amanda Harrison and Lucy Durack, is expected to run for at least a year in Melbourne before transferring to Sydney at some point late in 2009.

Bookings for the Melbourne season have already surpassed $9 million, an impressive effort for a show that hasn't even opened yet and has no track record in Australia.

Final preparations are underway for Friday's first performance.

Aussietheatre.com

July 1, Aussie Theatre.com will kick off Wicked Month!!

Wicked Special filmed

Foxtel this afternoon filmed a special event with the cast of the forthcoming Australian production of Wicked at its North Ryde studios.

The three-and-a-half hour taping included performances by Amanda Harrison (Elphaba), Lucy Durack (Glinda), Anthony Callea (Boq) and Rob Mills (Fiyero). Rob Guest hosted the event, labelled An Audience With The Cast Of Wicked, while Maggie Kirkpatrick also appeared.

The special, to be aired on July 5 on Foxtel's W Channel, was filmed in front of an audience of about 150, made up of competition winners and celebrities, including Antonia Kidman and Nikki Webster.

Apart from the performances (which included 'The Wizard And I', 'Popular', 'For Good' and 'As Long As You're Mine') there was a series of interviews as well as questions from the audience and comments from co-producer John Frost.

Durack wore a stunning pink dress, while Harrison was in her now trademark green.

Durack and Harrison spoke of how emotional the journey has been for them so far, with both shedding tears during the rehearsal process. Durack told of an incident just days ago in which the pair found themselves in a quiet area crying after rehearsing an emotional scene. "But then we went shopping," Durack quipped.

Aussietheatre.com

Wicked Foxtel Special

Pay television provider Foxtel will film a special event featuring the cast of the forthcoming Melbourne production of Wicked next weekend, to be aired later this year.

An Audience With The Cast Of Wicked will be filmed at Foxtel's Sydney studios on Sunday, June 8.

The special features as part of a massive marketing campaign for the musical, which opens on July 12 and is expected to have more than $10 million in advance sales by the time the curtain goes up.

Rehearsals commenced in Melbourne a number of weeks ago, with the cast preparing to bring to Australia one of the most successful musicals in the world.

Producer John Frost has been impressed with the sales so far."To get an idea of the scale of our advance bookings you have to go back to the 1980s, when Cats and Phantom set the box office alight," he said. "

The Washington Post called Wicked the biggest box office success story since the peak years of The Phantom Of The Opera and I believe we are going to experience the same phenomenon."

Wicked, which tells the back story to The Wizard Of Oz, stars Amanda Harrison, Lucy Durack, Maggie Kirkpatrick, Rob Guest, Rob Mills, Anthony Callea, Penny McNamee, and Rodney Dobson.

The production's ensemble cast is: Anton Berezin, Ross Hannaford, Anthony Costanzo, Todd Hampton, Ryan Sheppard, Danial J Brown, James Smith, Lockhart Brownlie, Michael Snell, Romina Villafranca, Deanna O'Leary, Liz Stiles, Christina Tan, Zoe Gertz, Patrice Tipoki, Melanie Hawkins, Ellen Simpson, Johanna Allen, James Maxfield, Glen Oliver, Matthew Hamilton, Emma Delmenico, Suzanne Steele and Suzie Mathers.

Aussietheatre.com

Fiyero a three year dream, says Mills

Wicked star Rob Mills has revealed that landing the role of Fiyero was a three-year dream that started when he first heard the cast recording while appearing in an arena production of Grease in 2005.“

I listened to it and I went ‘that’s me – I’m that guy’,” Mills said.“I listened to the songs over and over again and absolutely loved it. I remember ringing my manager the next day and said I desperately wanted an audition. I’ve been in love with the show for three years and wanted to do the role from the day I first heard the recording.”

Inexperienced in musical theatre he may be but Mills, a finalist on reality television program Australian Idol, has been doing all he can to play “catch up”, including taking a recent trip to Los Angeles to see the show. There, he just happened to be in the audience with Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz. Mills admits to being a little star struck, and even asked the legendary musical theatre mainstay to sign his programme.“After seeing it in London with Adam Garcia using an English accent, I just really wanted to see it again under American terms and be even more inspired than I am already, because it had been so long since I’d seen it,” Mills said.“I also got to go on a backstage tour which gave me a grasp of the extraordinary amount of people involved in getting it on stage each day and how it all works.”

While he has been left to fight off the stigma of Australian Idol by some musical theatre fans, the American creative team were completely wowed by Mills in the audition room. And now that he’s got a taste for it, the young charmer wants to keep following a career in theatre.“

Now that this door has opened, it’s all I want to do – I’m rapt about settling down with it for at least a year,” he said.“

Wicked is the most exciting thing I’ve ever done in my life and it’s a life changing thing for me. Idol came along and I sort of just went with it, but with this it is full steam ahead – I’ve been working so hard on it."

Wicked opens at Melbourne's Regent Theatre on July 12. Bookings: 132 849.

Aussietheatre.com

Wicked Sales Hit $7 million dollar Mark

Wicked is likely to hold the biggest box office advance in Australian theatrical history by the time it opens in Melbourne in July, with latest figures showing the production is gaining levels of sales not seen in two decades.

The musical's co-producer, John Frost, said the show is holding about $7.25 million in advance sales.

"Wicked sold 3,000 tickets on Thursday and with less than three weeks before we go into rehearsal on May 19 the demand for tickets is really hotting up," Frost said."

To get an idea of the scale of our advance bookings you have to go back to the 1980s, when Cats and Phantom set the box office alight. The Washington Post called Wicked the biggest box office success story since the peak years of The Phantom Of The Opera and I believe we are going to experience the same phenomenon."

Frost said he was particularly pleased at the interest the show is getting from across the country."

Like Phantom, around 30 per cent of our advance sales are coming from interstate: music theatre lovers from Brisbane to Perth who have been hearing about the international success of the show," he said.

Wicked, which tells the back story to The Wizard Of Oz, stars Amanda Harrison (Elphaba), Lucy Durack (Glinda), Maggie Kirkpatrick (Madame Morrible), Rob Guest (The Wizard), Rob Mills (Fiyero), Anthony Callea (Boq), Penny McNamee (Nessa) and Rodney Dobson (Dr Dillamond).

The production's ensemble cast is: Anton Berezin, Ross Hannaford, Anthony Costanzo, Todd Hampton, Ryan Sheppard, Danial J Brown, James Smith, Lockhart Brownlie, Michael Snell, Romina Villafranca, Deanna O'Leary, Liz Stiles, Christina Tan, Zoe Gertz, Patrice Tipoki, Melanie Hawkins, Ellen Simpson, Johanna Allen, James Maxfield, Glen Oliver, Matthew Hamilton, Emma Delmenico, Suzanne Steele and Suzie Mathers.

Aussietheatre.com

Full Wicked Cast Announced

The full cast list for the forthcoming Australian premiere production of Wicked has been released, with Jemma Stevenson and Erin Hasan confirmed as the standby performers for Elphaba and Glinda respectively.

The principal cast, most of which has already been announced, is Amanda Harrison (Elphaba), Lucy Durack (Glinda), Maggie Kirkpatrick (Madame Morrible), Rob Guest (The Wizard), Rob Mills (Fiyero), Anthony Callea (Boq), Penny McNamee (Nessa) and Rodney Dobson (Dr Dillamond).

The production's ensemble cast is: Anton Berezin, Ross Hannaford, Anthony Costanzo, Todd Hampton, Ryan Sheppard, Danial J Brown, James Smith, Lockhart Brownlie, Michael Snell, Romina Villafranca, Deanna O'Leary, Liz Stiles, Christina Tan, Zoe Gertz, Patrice Tipoki, Melanie Hawkins, Ellen Simpson, Johanna Allen, James Maxfield, Glen Oliver, Matthew Hamilton, Emma Delmenico, Suzanne Steele and Suzie Mathers.

Wicked, which tells the back story to the famous children's classic The Wizard Of Oz, opens at Melbourne's Regent Theatre on July 12 and is expected to run for at least a year before transferring to Sydney.

Aussietheatre.com

Wicked's record breaking night

Wicked has taken the first steps towards being the most successful musical ever staged in Australia after the all-important group booking figures exceeded expectations on Tuesday evening.

The show took $2.3 million in advance sales in just three hours, a new record for musical theatre in Australia.

The group bookers evening is always an important test for a production on how its initial promotion and marketing has been received and can often be the first indication of either success or disaster in the long term."It’s a tremendous sign that this musical is going to have a very long run at the Regent Theatre," said producer John Frost."Group bookers are the backbone of every successful musical, so I’m thrilled, of course. But I can’t say the advance sales came as a huge shock. Wherever it opens Wicked smashes box office records. At the Gershwin Theatre on Broadway alone it holds $40 million in advance bookings: an unheard of figure for a show that is now into its fifth year."The record-breaking night came just hours after Frost announced more details of the show's cast, confirming that Anthony Callea, Rob Guest, Rob Mills and Maggie Kirkpatrick would join previously announced cast members Amanda Harrison and Lucy Durack in the musical, which is essentially the back story to The Wizard Of Oz.

The advance sales record on Tuesday beat the previous record holder - The Phantom Of The Opera - by a whopping 15 per cent."It has been a phenomenal response," Frost said."And I expect we’ll get another record breaking rush when bookings open to the general public on February 25."

It has been a month of record-breaking achievements for Wicked, with the production also announcing a $1 million 'presenting sponsor' deal with ANZ - the largest deal of its kind in Australian theatrical history.

Frost revealed on Tuesday that after securing the $1 million deal, he walked out of the meeting, purchased a bottle of French champagne and drank it at four in the afternoon, an indication of his excitement at the coup.

Aussietheatre.com

More Wicked castings announced

Rob Guest, Anthony Callea, Rob Mills and Maggie Kirkpatrick will star in the Australian production of Wicked that opens at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne in July.

Guest will play the Wizard, Callea (pictured) is Boq, Mills is Fiyero and Kirkpatrick will play Madame Morrible.

They join previously announced cast members Amanda Harrison (Elphaba) and Lucy Durack (Glinda) as well as Penny McNamee, who will play Nessa.

Also announced today was a $1 million sponsorship with ANZ, the biggest “presenting sponsor” deal in Australian theatre history.“This is a terrific day in what will be, I’m sure, the very, very long history of Wicked in Australia,” said producer John Frost.“I’m thrilled that the New York creative team who conducted the auditions with me have chosen Australian Idol’s standout stars – Rob Mills and Anthony Callea – both now firmly in the front ranks of our entertainers.

“Rob Guest is one of Australian music theatre’s most popular and enduring performers – he played the Phantom in The Phantom Of The Opera for a record seven years in Australia and New Zealand.“And Maggie Kirkpatrick is one of our best loved stars. As The Freak in Prisoner, she remains a legendary, cult figure to television audiences internationally, but Maggie is also a renowned stage performer.”

Frost confirmed that rehearsals for the Australia production will begin on May 12 ahead of July 12 opening night.

Penny McNamee to play Nessa in Wicked

Sydney-sider Penny McNamee has been cast as Nessa in the forthcoming Australian production of Wicked, which opens at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne in July.

She joins previously announced cast members Amanda Harrison and Lucy Durack in the show, which is attracting unprecedented interest.

McNamee is expected to be confirmed as Nessa when additional cast members are officially announced next week at a special launch in Melbourne.

Nessa is Elphaba (Amanda Harrison)'s sister in the musical, with her standout number being 'The Wicked Witch Of The East' in the second act.

24-year-old McNamee appeared in the lack lustre Witches Of Eastwick in 2003, and has made numerous guest appearances on television programs, including All Saints and White Collar Blue.

AussieTheatre.com also understands that 2007 WAAPA graduates Liz Stiles, who is currently appearing in Hello Again at the Darlinghurst Theatre, and Suzie Mathers have been cast in the show's ensemble

Aussietheatre.com

Harrison's big break

For the last 15 years, Amanda Harrison has been a regular feature on the theatre scene both in Australia and overseas, but she feels she has finally “made it” after securing the coveted role of Elphaba in the upcoming Australian premiere of Wicked, which opens at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre in July.

Harrison, a Helpmann Award winner and Green Room Award nominee, has most recently appeared as Ellen in Miss Saigon, a role she saw as an important lead-in to the demanding nature of Elphaba.“When Wicked was rumoured to be coming a few years ago I was really keen, but I wasn’t going to put my family plans on hold,” Harrison said.“I ended up having my daughter Grace, and then I returned to work doing Miss Saigon so the timing really is perfect.”

The 33-year-old, who is in New York with co-star Lucy Durack, found out she had been cast just before Christmas, but privacy agreements meant she couldn’t discuss the role with anyone.“I told my immediate family but that was it – I had to go to ground and turn myself into a hermit,” she said.

While Harrison has known since December that she would turn green every night from July, she had to watch as rumours about other performers constantly popped up. A strong one suggested that Pippa Grandison had been signed, sealed and delivered. Another said Idina Menzel would come to Australia to perform the first eight weeks of the Melbourne season, but there was no sign of such an announcement today, when the key casting was finally let out of the bag.“It’s going to be such a smash, it’s such an amazing show,” Harrison said.“We’ve seen it twice since being here in New York and have been totally blown away by it.”

Harrison believes playing the role will be one of the most defining periods of her career.“I’ve worked for 15 years in this industry and done some amazing things but this is it – this is the biggest thing I have ever done,” she said.“I’ve had plenty of mini-breaks but this is the big one.”

Wicked co-producer John Frost said he firmly believed Harrison and Durack would become household names thanks to the show.

Aussietheatre.com

Durack: 'A dream come true'

26-year-old Lucy Durack says securing the role of Glinda in Wicked is a "dream come true" and has revealed she kept the news secret for some six weeks due to a privacy agreement with the show's producers.

Speaking to AussieTheatre.com from New York, where she and co-star Amanda Harrison have seen the Broadway version of Wicked twice in as many days, Durack said she found out she had won the role on December 17."Keeping it secret has been one of the hardest things I have ever had to do," she said."Words cannot describe how excited I am by this whole thing. I feel so lucky being given this opportunity, it is something I have wanted to do for so long and I am so very grateful."

Durack, who has appeared in a number of musicals including Mamma Mia! and Respect, has previously starred with Harrison in a production of Oklahoma! presented by Melbourne's Production Company.

"That was a few years ago but I still have my notebook from that show and in the front it says 'Lucy Durack and Amanda Harrison for Glinda and Elphaba'. I guess we can tick that box now."

Durack was always considered a favourite to secure the role of Glinda, though there was constant speculation that Helen Dallimore, who played the role in London, could return home to reprise it in Melbourne.

Durack said she is looking forward to starting rehearsals in May.

Aussietheatre.com

Durack, Harrison win coveted roles

Lucy Durack and Amanda Harrison have won the prize roles of Glinda and Elphaba in the forthcoming Australian premiere production of Wicked, which opens at Melbourne's Regent Theatre in July.

There's been months of speculation over who would be cast in the coveted female roles, but in the end the creative team held back on any surprises, with both Durack and Harrison considered as favourites throughout the audition process.

Speaking to AussieTheatre.com from New York, Wicked co-producer John Frost said he was thrilled with the casting."There were other options, but you could see these two girls were the ones shining through during the audition process," Frost said."The great thing was that while people were talking about Lucy and Amanda for some time, the American creative team had not had a lot to do with them and hence the girls got the roles on their own merits and talents."Frost confirmed that due to the demanding nature of the show, there would be a "stand by" Glinda and Elphaba cast as well as general understudies.He also said the roles of Boq, Fiyero and The Wizard were yet to be cast.

A Helpmann Award winner, Harrison has appeared in countless major musicals, including We Will Rock You, Leader Of The Pack and Aspects Of Love.Durack has most recently been seen in the Australian tour of Respect and has previously appeared in Mamma Mia! and a host of shows for The Production Company, including 42nd Street last year.Durack said securing the role of Glinda, originated on Broadway by Kristin Chenoweth, was a dream come true."If somebody said to me I could only play one role for the rest of my life, I would choose this hands down," she told the Seven Network.

Aussietheatre.com

Wicked Cast to be announced Thursday

Australia will know who has been cast in the coveted roles of Elphaba and Glinda in the forthcoming Melbourne production of Wicked on Tuesday, with an announcement expected on morning television.

AussieTheatre.com understands that the two performers cast in the roles have been flown to New York, where the announcement will be made via satellite ahead of an official launch later this month.A production spokesperson confirmed that the "two leads will finally be confirmed on Tuesday" but would not confirm the announcement will be made on a morning television program, believed to be Sunrise.

The rest of the cast will be announced at the launch later this month. It is believed that the roles of The Wizard, Boq and Fiyero are yet to be cast, with negotiations and auditions continuing.

Wicked features music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman, and is loosely based on the best selling novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Macguire. The musical tells the “back story” to The Wizard of Oz, focusing on Glinda (the good witch) and Elphaba (the wicked witch of the west) and their unlikely friendship that developed long before Dorothy dropped in.It opens at Melbourne's Regent Theatre in July.

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Wicked not yet cast, confirms Frost

Despite the rumour mill working overtime, Wicked producer John Frost has confirmed that casting has not yet been finalised for the blockbuster musical, which opens in Melbourne on July 12.

Wicked, which tells the untold story of the witches of Oz, comes to Melbourne's Regent Theatre after extraordinary success overseas, particularly on Broadway where it has been playing to packed houses since 2003. Frost told The Age that casting for the Australian premiere season should be confirmed shortly."We're down to about 30 and offers have gone out, but we've still got six roles to cast and that should be settled in the next three weeks," he said."The roles have become iconic and there's huge anticipation and speculation within the industry about who's going to get what."In a major development, it is understood that Wicked will soon announce a major naming rights sponsorship deal. In addition, The Age also reports that Wicked has been put onto the school curriculum as a drama text choice.Wicked tickets are expected to go on sale next month.