Michael Banks in the 2010 and 2012 tours of Mary Poppins, and the role of Gustave in the Australian premiere of Love Never Dies.
These stellar performers join the already announced 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”.
The producers are thrilled to have been able to cast such a “thrillifying” line-up. “From over 2,000 applications when the casting call went out, we auditioned over 1,000 of Australia’s top performers and are so excited with the calibre and talent of our lead cast,” said John Frost. “Robyn, Todd and Adam have proved over and over again that they are incredibly gifted actors and audience favourites. Liam is fast becoming one of Australia’s leading young men on stage, and he will make a tremendous Fiyero. Shewit and Kurtis, both at the beginning of their professional careers, blew us away at their auditions and we have no doubt they will become huge stars on stage and screen.
“WICKED is loved by Australia, and we have no doubt audiences will embrace our electrifying new leading ladies and stellar cast. There is a reason WICKED has become one of the most loved musicals of all time, with its strong characters and story, soaring melodies and stunning sets and costumes. We can’t wait for it to open in Sydney in August, for Australia to fall in love with the show all over again.”
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 is now 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.”
“A magical Broadway musical with BRAINS, HEART and COURAGE” – Time Magazine
“WICKED’s production values are exceptional. A POWERFUL PIECE OF THEATRE” – The Australian
“A SPECTACULAR ENTERTAINMENT with deep emotions and a serious message” – The Tokyo
“If every musical had the brains, heart and courage of WICKED, Broadway really would be a magical place” – Time Magazine
“WICKED is splendiferous as ever! The show works because it explores the complexity of moral choices and the prices we have to pay for making them. It’s a reminder of how musicals can support complex stories when you have a book writer of the quality of Winnie Holzman, great songs by Stephen Schwartz and a rich, visually splendiferous production, as directed by Joe Mantello. And, of