A number of Melbourne’s landmark buildings have been greenified ahead of the award-winning musical Wicked’s opening at the Regent Theatre on Saturday 10 May.
The Wizard, Reg Livermore was joined by Lord Mayor Robert Doyle and cast members, to light-up much of the local area around the Regent Theatre including the Melbourne Town Hall, the Forum Theatre, Manchester Unity Building, the Sofitel on Collins and the Collins Street trees.
The 10th Anniversary Australian tour of Wicked tells the untold story of the Witches of Oz. Long before Dorothy from Kansas arrives in Munchkinland, two girls meet In the Land of Oz. One, born with emerald green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood; the other beautiful, ambitious and very popular. How these two unlikely friends grow to become Elphaba – the Wicked Witch of the West; and Glinda – the Good, makes for the most spellbinding new musical in years.
Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman, Wicked has been the recipient of 90 major awards including a Grammy, three Tony Awards and six Helpmann Awards – including Best Musical. It stars Lucy Durack as Glinda and Jemma Rix as Elphaba – both reprising the roles which shot them to stardom during the original Australian tour.
Theatre legend Reg Livermore, joins the Company as The Wizard, while doyenne of stage and screen, Maggie Kirkpatrick returns as Madame Morrible. In his first musical theatre leading role is Steve Danielsen as Fiyero, Dr Dillamond is played by Nathan Carter, Nessarose is played by Emily Cascarino, while Edward Grey plays Boq.
Wicked Co-Producer John Frost said: “If you missed it last time, come and see Wicked for the first time, and if you have seen it before, I know you’ll want to come back and be spellbound all over again.”
“This is one of the most lavish musical productions to have ever toured Australia, the full Broadway experience. You can see every dollar spent on the magnificent sets and lush costumes, a feast for the eye and the ear.”
Just as Wicked opens in Melbourne, Frost has announced that a Brisbane season will open at QPAC’s Lyric Theatre on 15 February 2015. This follows an earlier announcement that a Sydney season will open on 20 September at the Capitol Theatre.
For more information, visit: www.wickedthemusical.com.au for details.
Image: Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, Reg Livermore and Wicked cast members at the Melbourne greenifying ceremony.