WICKED The Broadway Musical - Australia

New Zealand-born star of stage, television and screen, JAY LAGA’AIA, is today confirmed to play The Wizard of Oz in the Auckland season of WICKED - the Broadway musical blockbuster coming to New Zealand in September.

Jay – known for his roles as Captain Typho in the films Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith – has had a long and illustrious career that includes roles in television shows such as Water Rats, Play School, McLeod’s Daughters, Xena: Warrior Princess, All Saints, Home and Away and Street Legal.

He is also known for his stage productions such as The Lion King in which he played Mufasa and for playing Judas in the New Zealand production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

The role of The Wizard of Oz is a pivotal one in Wicked. It has been performed by television personality Bert Newton for the past few years after the sudden death of New Zealand star Rob Guest in 2008.

“To be able to come home with a show that is absolutely awe-inspiring is something that this prodigal son could only dream about. My biggest fear is not The Wizard but the amount of ticket requests from family and friends! Maybe Glinda or Elphaba could whip up a spell for me.”

“We are very excited for WICKED to premiere at The Civic in Auckland during this 10th Anniversary Year. We trust that audiences there will embrace it as warmly as those in North America, the U.K., Japan, Germany, Holland, South Korea and Australia,” said WICKED producers Marc Platt and David Stone. “It is a testament to the show’s storytelling power that audiences from around the globe continue to embrace its universal themes.”

WICKED Australia Co-Producer John Frost said, “Right from the beginning this show has been an overwhelming hit everywhere it has played. WICKED is a phenomenon, the most beloved musical of the past decade, and appeals to everyone from 8 to 80. People love it for so many different reasons – some people come to see WICKED 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 girls who grow up to be Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

“WICKED is a musical that enchants audiences around the world and right across the spectrum,” Frost said. I’m thrilled to bring her, in all her emerald beauty, to Auckland, before coming home to the wonderful Regent Theatre in Melbourne, where Australian audiences fell in love with WICKED for the first time.”

WICKED plays at The Civic in Auckland from 17th September 2013 – the first stop on its 10th anniversary celebration tour – and will run for a strictly limited season.

We have thrillifying news! WICKED will begin an Australasian 10th Anniversary tour in Auckland in September 2013, plus we'll be returning to our original Australian home at Melbourne's Regent Theatre in May 2014.

Announcing the tour today, WICKED Australia Co-Producer John Frost said, “Right from the start this show has been an overwhelming hit everywhere it has played. WICKED is a phenomenon, the most beloved musical of the past decade, and appeals to everyone from 8 to 80. People love it for so many different reasons – some people come to see WICKED 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 girls who grow up to be Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West."

Join our waitlist now for updates, presales and all the news on our 10th Anniversary Tour.

The WICKED cast and crew would like to wish all of our WICKED fans a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Press play below to view a special Christmas message from Lucy, Rob and David.

After 19 record-breaking weeks in Seoul, WICKED had its final performance on Sunday 7 October.

WICKED became the first musical in Seoul to sell 150,000 tickets only 50 days into its season. Another record was broken just a few weeks later when WICKED sold 200,000 tickets in record time.

These phenomenal achievements are not only testament to a wonderful show but also to the wonderful job of the cast, company and the local presenters Seol & Company. WICKED would also like to extend a special thanks to its sponsors including OOCL and MAC Cosmetics.

A special thanks must also go to the amazing audiences that filled the theatre night after night.

[ CLICK HERE ] to visit our album of memories from the Seoul season of WICKED!

After 19 record-breaking weeks in Seoul, WICKED had its final performance on Sunday 7 October.

WICKED became the first musical in Seoul to sell 150,000 tickets only 50 days into its season. Another record was broken just a few weeks later when WICKED sold 200,000 tickets in record time.

These phenomenal achievements are not only testament to a wonderful show but also to the wonderful job of the cast, company and the local presenters Seol & Company. WICKED would also like to extend a special thanks to its sponsors including OOCL and MAC Cosmetics.

A special thanks must also go to the amazing audiences that filled the theatre night after night.

[ CLICK HERE ] to visit our album of memories from the Seoul season of WICKED!

Now that WICKED has opened in Seoul, we've put together a gallery of photos from the opening week for you to see. This gallery of brand new cast photos features your favourite cast members, and a few new faces too.

WICKED is very pleased to announce that Richard Blake has joined the cast in Seoul, South Korea, in the role of Fiyero. Richard has transferred directly from the Broadway Production of WICKED, where he performed his final show on Sunday, July 29. It seems there is no rest for the WICKED.

Congratulations to the Australian Company who along with Local Presenter Seol & Co opened WICKED in Seoul on Thursday night.

Here they are looking beautiful after the performance.

After 160 thrillifying shows in Singapore the curtain came down for the final time last night at the Grand Theatre at the Marina Bay Sands. The cast, crew and company of WICKED would like to thank everyone in Singapore for making us feel so at home. We especially enjoyed meeting our fans at stage door each night. Over the next few days we will recall some of the great times that were had throughout the season on our Facebook page. Please drop by there to say hello. Thank you Singapore!
Wicked in Oz Facebook page

The cast of WICKED have just kicked off the start of the Asia Tour with performances in Singapore. The Show is performing at the Grand Theatre at the Marina Bay Sands for a limited season. Many of the Australian cast members are back on board after a much deserved rest and joining them are many new and freshly rehearsed performers. You can learn more about some of these cast members on our
Wicked in Oz Facebook page video posts.

The 8th Anniversary of WICKED on Broadway is almost here! Join in the WICKED DAY celebration with fans all over the world on Oct. 30th and see a special concert style ULTIMATE ENCORE performance of one WICKED song. You can see on Facebook at 9pm AEST!

After more than three thrillifying years in Oz the curtain came down on the WICKED Australia stage on Sunday 11 September for the final time. Since its premiere season in Melbourne, WICKED has been staged in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. During its Australian run WICKED has won 6 Helpmann Awards® including 'Best Musical', it has played to over 1.5 million people and broken records across the country.

All the cast, crew and company of WICKED would like to thank everyone around Australia that has helped to make the show such a success.

Over a 1 week period in September WICKED raised $11,344.45 in bucket collections at performances of WICKED at Burswood Theatre. All the money raised goes to the ANZ Trustees Foundation Rob Guest Endowment. WICKED would like to thank everyone for their generosity.

WICKED in Perth must close 11 September. As a special thank you to everyone that has supported the show throughout the Australian Tour, there will be special events happening around the Burswood Theatre before and after the performances. This is to give all the WICKED fans an opportunity to create some extra special memories to take home from the show. These events will be from Tuesday 6 to Sunday 11 September. Click link below to see the full details.

These lucky winners of the Channel 7 Watch and Win promo, not only got to go along and see the show but they also went back stage at the Burswood Theatre and had a photo taken with cast members Elisa Colla (Nessarose), Lucy Durack (Glinda) and Ryan Sheppard (Chistery). Congratulations to all and we hope you had a fantastic night.

Lovers of the musical and those interested in some insight on WICKED will have an opportunity to attend a special event at Crow Books as cast members Maggie Kirkpatrick who performs the role of "Madame Morrible" and Zoe Jarrett an ensemble member and "Elphaba" understudy read excerpts from Gregory Maguire's novel "Wicked" and "The Grimmerie: a behind-the scenes look at the hit Broadway musical".

Date: Tuesday 2 August 6.00pm – 7.00pm
Bookings essential: Phone 9472 9737
Venue: Crow Books, 1/900 Albany Highway, East Victoria Park

Town of Victoria Park in Perth are celebrating the arrival of WICKED with some great offers. Visit the strip shops along Albany Highway in Victoria and take advantage of some great WICKED offers.

The Broken Hill Hotel - www.brokenhillhotel.com.au
314 Albany Highway, Victoria Park
10 % off total bill for Wicked ticket holders on day/night of the performance

The Publican - www.thepublicanbar.com.au
774 Albany Highway, East Victoria Park
10 % off total bill for Wicked ticket holders on day/night of the performance also has a Wicked dessert for $9.50

Christina's - www.christinasrestaurant.com.au
891 Albany Highway, East Victoria Park
10 % off total bill for Wicked ticket holders on day/night of the performance

Dome Café Victoria Park - www.domecoffees.com.au
239 Albany Highway, Victoria Park
10 % off total bill for Wicked ticket holders on day/night of the performance

A warm welcome back to Bert Newton who returned to Perth this week to re-commence his role as The Wizard. Tune into A Current Affair on Channel 9 on Monday night to see coverage on his return to the show.

On Sunday 10 July, WICKED celebrated their 3rd Birthday with the help of many fans dressed in WICKED fancy dress. The winners of the fancy dress competition were invited on stage to assist the cast cut the fantastic cake. Kindly supplied by Burswood and created by Burswood's Executive Sous Chef, Jochen Beranek and Sous Chef, Rohitha Ediweera, the cake measured 1.2m x 0.8m. Take a look at the photos of the cake and also the winners of the fancy dress competition. Thanks to all who helped to celebrate this occasion.

New tickets for two weeks of performances up to and including Sunday September 4 are on sale now through TICKETEK on 132 849 or on line at www.ticketek.com.au

WICKED would like to congratulate Jemma Rix and David Harris who have both been nominated for Helpmann Awards. Jemma Rix has been nominated for Best Female Actor in a Musical and David Harris has been nominated for Best Male Actor in a Musical.

For those people attending the Sunday matinee on 10 July WICKED is celebrating its 3rd Birthday in Australia and they are having a "Best Dressed Competition". Those selected as the best dressed will be asked to come on stage to cut the birthday cake and meet a number of cast members after the curtain call. Come dressed up and be a part of this special celebration. If you haven't got a ticket and want to join in the celebrations there are still seats available. Book now at Ticketek.

There have been a few minor changes to the WICKED lottery in Perth. Names will now be collected 2 hours prior to the performance and the draw will be 90 minutes before the starting time. It will take place at the Burswood Theatre Box Office located in the Convention Centre Foyer.

To recap on the rest of the details:
A limited number of $35 tickets are available for each performance.
Patrons complete an entry form and place the form in the green WICKED barrel.
Each winner receives the opportunity to purchase a maximum of 2 tickets per person, cash only sales.

Winners must be present (with valid photo ID) when their names are called, or they forfeit their tickets.

Please note: The ballot tickets are not to be on sold to a third party.

WICKED Australia in partnership with Hawaiian were proud to present Shauna Gaebler, CEO of SIDS and Kids Western Australia with a cheque for $94,621.87. The funds raised were the result of the sell-out charity performance of WICKED – The Final Dress Rehearsal on Sunday 19 June in Perth at the Burswood Theatre. On Wednesday 29 June, Glinda the Good (Lucy Durack) along with Hawaiian Executive Director Damian Gordon handed over the cheque.

The Opening Night performance of WICKED in Perth was on last Thursday 23 June at Burswood Theatre.

Check out these photos of the curtain call.

Lucy Durack ("Glinda") and Jemma Rix ("Elphaba") were decked out in the most ozmopolitan manner for WICKED's Opening Night with decadent diamonds and jewels from Jan Logan in Perth (www.janlogan.com.au). Check out the photo of the girls trying on their jewels prior to Opening Night.

New Tickets on Sale Monday June 27

WICKED, the worldwide smash hit musical phenomenon, has generated a box office landslide – and it's a green one! In an extraordinary rush, Perth patrons have snapped up over 84,450 tickets to this must see theatre event of the decade.

Now, due to overwhelming demand a new release of tickets for WICKED have gone on sale at TICKETEK on Monday June 27.

WICKED fans in Perth will be excited to learn that a special reading is being planned for the State Library of Western Australia in Perth.

On Thursday, 30 June, come along and listen to Maggie Kirkpatrick ("Madame Morrible") and Zoe Jarrett (Ensemble member and "Elphaba" understudy) read from The Grimmerie and Gregory Maguire's novel, WICKED. Zoe will be providing an overview of the musical while Maggie will offer up some insights into her stormy character. After the reading, both ladies will take questions from the audience and hang around to sign some autographs.

Date: Thursday, 30 June
Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Location: State Library Theatre, State Library of Western Australia
(25 Francis Street, Perth)
RSVP: Please RSVP by 28 June to Hilary.Hatfield@slwa.wa.gov.au

A number of Perth buildings have been bathed in emerald green light to welcome the much anticipated award winning Broadway theatre production to Western Australia. These include Carillon City, Parmelia House on St Georges Terrace, Noranda Shopping Village, The Colonnade in Subiaco, the WA State Library, Burswood Entertainment Complex and from 19 June a number of locations in the Town of Victoria Park.

A limited number of $35 tickets are available for each performance from Sunday 19 June (evening performance). Limit of 2 tickets per person, cash only.

2.5 hours prior to each performance, names will be collected in the Burswood Casino Main Entry Foyer. 2 hours prior to each performance, names will be drawn. Winners must be present (with valid photo ID) when their names are called, or they forfeit their tickets.

Please note: The ballot tickets are not to be on sold to a third party.

Join Kellie Dickerson, musical director of the smash-hit Wicked and the world premiere season of Dr Zhivago, starring Anthony Warlow, at The Broadway Workshop, a four-day skills intensive where you will get the invaluable opportunity to do a live audition prep session with Kellie and her friend Peter Cousens (Les Mis, Phantom of the Opera) – as if you were auditioning for them for a major musical – as well as ensemble and vocal techique, and the chance to meet and work closely with these industry legends. You will be working on acting through song as well as on your voice, and this is the perfect workshop for both experienced performers and those with talent and interest.

Kris Stewart who spent two years as the Resident Australian Director of Wicked is the Artistic Director of the Festival of Voices.

This is a never before seen opportunity in Tasmania to work with leading industry professionals in musical theatre, and it is strictly limited to only 40 available places. For more information, visit www.festivalofvoices.com.

Come and check out the exhibit and see the various WICKED books this month. "Chistery's" costume sketch is there as well. Take a look at some of the photos, plus, stay tuned for details of a cast reading in late June.

When the curtain goes down Saturday 4 June at the final Adelaide performance of WICKED, the show will have been seen by more than 100,000 people.

WICKED was embraced by Adelaide during its seven week run which included its 1000th Australian performance and the night time greening of the Festival Centre precinct Casino and Intercontinental Hotel.

With only one month to go before it arrives, the worldwide smash hit musical phenomenon, WICKED, has already blitzed the Perth box office with 65,000 tickets being snapped up to the must-see theatre event of the decade.

WICKED will open in Perth at the Burswood Theatre on Sunday June 19 for a strictly limited season. Now, due to overwhelming demand a new release of tickets for WICKED will go on sale at TICKETEK on Monday May 23.

The Adelaide season of WICKED, the worldwide smash hit musical phenomenon, has attained the highest box office takings and sold the highest number of tickets of any musical presented in the Festival Theatre in the last ten years.

WICKED must close in just 3 weeks on Saturday 4 June to head to Perth with no extension possible. Adelaide audiences are encouraged to buy now.

The fabulous Maggie Kirkpatrick ("Madame Morrible") will read excerpts from Gregory Macquire's novel, WICKED at the Goodwood Library near Adelaide on Thursday, 19 May at 2:00 pm. Join us as Maggie gives an overview and answers questions about her character. While you're there, check out the WICKED exhibit. Can't make it to Goodwood? We've also put up a WICKED exhibit at the Stirling Library in the Adelaide Hills.

The multi-award winning smash hit musical WICKED marks yet another milestone tomorrow when it celebrates its 1000th performance in Australia. Recently opened at the Festival Centre in Adelaide, WICKED has had phenomenally successful seasons in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, and moves to Perth's Burswood Theatre in June.

Thrillifying news! WICKED on Broadway has announced the commencement of the WICKED Games. Click on the following link to see the Journey of the Wand video. When you watch it keep your eye out for some Australian backdrops and our very own WICKED cast.

After travelling thousands of kilometres in seventeen semi-trailers WICKED, the worldwide smash hit musical phenomenon has arrived in Adelaide. WICKED's emerald premiere was on Sunday night at the Adelaide Festival Centre and the response was ozsome.

Thanks to all our sponsor who helped the night to be a success including George Gross and Harry Watt, pictured here with Lucy Durack and Jemma Rix wearing beautiful George Gross and Harry Who creations. After the show the cast and crew frocked up for a small celebration.

Thursday 21 April 1:00pm and 7:30pm
No performance Good Friday
Saturday 23 April 2:00pm and 7:30pm
Sunday 24 April 3:00pm
No performance Monday and Tuesday

Hey WICKED fans, in a twilight ceremony at the Festival Centre last night Bert Newton as The Wizard, Douglas Gautier, Artistic Director and CEO Adelaide Festival Centre and Paul Shaw, Director of Sales and Marketing, InterContinental Adelaide together with WICKED's Adelaide Facebook fans dressed in green 'greenified' the Adelaide Festival Centre, the Adelaide Casino and Railway Station and the InterContinental Hotel.

After a wet and bumpy start to the season, WICKED has finally said goodbye to the city, clocking up 84 'positively emerald' performances, (including a charity performance that raised over $92,000 for Act for Kids). In a special address to the audience after the show, Bert Newton on behalf of the cast, indicated that Brisbane had a special place in all their hearts, having witnessed how Queenslanders handled the January floods.

A limited number of $35 tickets are available for each performance from the Adelaide Festival Centre Box Office. Limit of 2 tickets per person, cash only.

2 1/2 hours prior to each performance, names will be collected. 2 hours prior to each performance, names will be drawn. Winners must be present (with valid photo ID) when their names are called, or they forfeit their tickets.

Please note: The ballot tickets are not to be onsold to a third party.

The countdown is on to the end of the Brisbane season. With only 9 days to go if you haven't already now is the time to book to see WICKED before it flies to Adelaide.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK NOW!

Hey WICKED fans, we are happy to announce that the weekly WICKED quiz will be up and running again this week. New quiz questions will be posted on Facebook every Friday with the answers to those questions posted every Monday. So freshen up on our WICKED knowledge and prepare to be tested.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THIS WEEKS QUIZ QUESTION

Jemma Rix showed some serious Hollywood glam at Damien Anthony Rossi's Oscars Party on February 28th in Brisbane. Jemma surprised guest Chris Herden when she sang a special Happy Birthday for him.

Jemma, accompanied by her husband Josh, looked stunning in a gold, one-off designer gown from GEORGE GROSS AND HARRY WHO.

GEORGE GROSS AND HARRY WHO - "WICKED's Official Ladies Fashion Provider"

BUY 4 B RESERVE AND SAVE $80* FOR MID-WEEK PERFORMANCES ONLY.
NOW PLAYING AT THE LYRIC THEATRE, QPAC UNTIL APRIL 2.
ABSOLUTELY NO EXTENSION POSSIBLE.
DON'T MISS OUT THE THEATRICAL EVENT OF A LIFETIME.
BOOK NOW AT WICKED QPAC.COM.AU

*Subject to availability. Conditions apply.

If you haven't already snapped up tickets to the Adelaide season of WICKED, well here is your chance! New seats have been released. You'll be green with envy if you miss it.

Be sure to check out some of Susan Hilferty's Tony Award winning costumes at Westfield West Lakes through March 20. And while you're there, enter to win a WICKED Evening - two tickets to WICKED, dinner at Jolleys Boathouse Restaurant, a night at the InterContinental Adelaide and a M.A.C cosmetics gift-pack.

Go to westfield.com.au for further details.

WICKED Australia Co-Producer John Frost announced today that Australian star of stage and screen, Geraldine Turner, will make a starring guest appearance as Madame Morrible in the hit musical WICKED, currently on stage in Brisbane at the Lyric Theatre QPAC.

The inimitable Maggie Kirkpatrick who has been stalking the boards as Madame Morrible since the show began in Melbourne in 2008 is taking personal leave.

If you haven't already seen Broadway's biggest blockbuster, well here is your chance! Best available seats for March – SUNDAY 13 – 7:30PM, THURSDAY 17 – 1:30PM, THURSDAY 24 – 1:30PM.

You'll be green with envy if you miss it.