Due to huge demand, new tickets are on sale for “Broadway’s Biggest Blockbuster” (New York Times). With only four weeks until WICKED flies into the Sydney Lyric Theatre on 25 August, the show is now selling to 10 December with best availability for tickets from October.
Rehearsals commenced last week in Australia’s Emerald City, and the energy in the room is building ahead of the shows commencing later this month. The stellar Australian cast is led by Courtney Monsma as Glinda, the bubbly popular girl who becomes Glinda the Good, and Sheridan Adams as Elphaba, the girl born with emerald-green skin who grows up to become the Wicked Witch of the West.
Robyn Nevin plays the role of Madame Morrible, Todd McKenney is the Wizard, Liam Head plays Fiyero, Adam Murphy has been cast as Dr Dillamond, Shewit Belay plays Nessarose, Kurtis Papadinis is Boq, and Zoe Coppinger will be the Elphaba Standby.
The talented group of performers comprising the WICKED Ensemble and Swings includes Christian Ambesi, Conor Bann-Murray, Brittany Carter, Olivia Castagna, Eli Cooper, Matt Cranleigh, Joseph Donovan, Sage Douglas, Bayley John Edmends, Todd Jacobsson, Rohan Khanna, Andrew Kroenert, Elisha Zion Lee, Jordan Malone, Emily Monsma, Matilda Moran, Jackson Reedman, Amelia Sanzo, Edward Smith, Ksenia Teliatnikova, Lucas Van Rhijn, Jessica Vellucci, Mietta White and Jun Woodfield.
“The first couple of weeks of rehearsals have gone wonderfully, and proved that we have a sensationally talented cast, led by Courtney and Sheridan,” said John Frost on behalf of his Co-producers. “The excitement in the rehearsal room is palpable. We can’t wait to open in Sydney, so that Australia can fall in love with WICKED all over again.
“This show is a musical phenomenon and appeals to everyone from 8 to 80. People love it for so many different reasons – some come for the engrossing story, some for the astonishing sets and costumes, some for the soaring ballads, some for the deeper messages, and some to see the life-affirming friendship between the two young women. Get your tickets now while you can,” added Frost.
Almost 20 years since its premiere on Broadway, WICKED remains one of the most successful and popular musicals in the world. Winner of over 100 major awards including the Grammy Award, the Olivier Award, six Helpmann Awards, three Tony Awards® and six Drama Desk Awards, WICKED is “A Complete Triumph! An original musical that will make you laugh, cry and think” (USA Today).
The musical has played in 16 countries around the world including Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, The Philippines, New Zealand, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK, and has been translated into six languages. WICKED has become the 4th longest running show in Broadway history (surpassing Cats).
The novel Wicked by Gregory Maguire, published in 1995, has sold 5.5 million copies, with 5 million of those sold since 2003 when the musical opened. Buoyed by the musical’s success, the novel has appeared on bestseller lists for close to two decades since its initial publication.
Long before Dorothy dropped in, two other young women meet in the land of Oz. One born with emerald-green skin is smart, fiery, misunderstood and possessing an extraordinary talent. The other is bubbly, blonde, ambitious and exceptionally popular. They become rivals, then friends… until the world decides to call one “good” and the other one “wicked.”
Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, WICKED has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and a book by Winnie Holzman. The production features musical staging by Wayne Cilento with original direction by Joe Mantello.
WICKED is produced by in Australia by John Frost for Crossroads Live Australia, Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone, and is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
Experience the unforgettable, award-winning musical WICKED in Sydney this year.
WICKED
Sydney Lyric Theatre – The Star, 55 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont (Sydney)
Season commences from 25 August 2023
Bookings: www.ticketmaster.com.au
For more information, visit: www.wickedthemusical.com.au for details.
Image: The WICKED cast with director Lisa Leguillou – photo by David Hooley