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.