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
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
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
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
Monday, April 14, 2008
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
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
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
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
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
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
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
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
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
