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