WICKED The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz

After a very successful run on Broadway, WICKED The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz will premiere at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre in July 2008. 

Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the land of Oz.  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.

Amanda Harrison will play Elphaba, the ‘Wicked’ Witch. Born with emerald-green skin, Elphaba is smart, fiery and misunderstood.  She had a rough childhood and is an outcast from the beginning.

Lucy Durack has won the role of Glinda, the ‘Good’ Witch. Pretty, charming, entrancing, ambitious, perky, and vain.  Glinda is very popular, but also vulnerable and sympathetic.

Co-Producer of the Australian production of WICKED John Frost, said the two lead roles will make Harrison and Durack stars.  “These are the roles that hundreds of music theatre artists in Australia and New Zealand dreamed of playing.”

The remaining principal roles will be announced later this month:

The Wizard is a strong, distinctive, engaging, sweet character with powerful presence.

Madame Morrible Headmistress of Shiz University.  Dignified, powerful, haughty, has a dark side.  Takes Elphaba under her wing, training her in sorcery.

Fiyero The Winkie prince, a wealthy party boy. Very handsome with striking presence; Nessarose Elphaba’s lonely, compassionate, attractive younger sister, has spent her life crippled in a wheelchair.

Boq A helpless, quirky munchkin. Enamored with Glinda, who pays him no mind.

Doctor Dillamond A distinguished and well-liked professor at Shiz University. He is a goat and the sole animal on the faculty.

WICKED is based on the best selling novel by Gregory Maguire.  Music and lyrics for WICKED were written by Stephen Schwartz, winner of Academy Awards for his work on Disney animation features Pocahontas and the The Prince of Eygpt.

WICKED opened at the Gershwin Theatre on Broadway in October 2003 and regularly grosses more than $US1.4 million a week.  The New York Times called it, ‘one of the most successful shows in Broadway history.’

Since then more than five million people have seen the show in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and on tour in North America. Combined box office sales top $US700 million in North America alone.

Travel and group bookings for the Australian production of WICKED The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz open on 12 February and counter bookings open on 25 February 2008. To book call Ticketek on 1300 795 012.

UPDATE: 12 MAY 2009
Thirteen months after its spectacular Melbourne premiere, the curtain will come down on WICKED at The Regent Theatre Melbourne, on 9 August 2009. The musical will go to Sydney.

More details available at the website www.wickedthemusical.com.au