Durack returns as Glinda for Wicked 2014

Wicked is returning to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane next year!

At a special event on the steps of Melbourne’s Old Treasury Building this afternoon, Wicked Australia’s co-producer John Frost confirmed that the blockbuster musical will commence its much anticipated return season at its original home – Melbourne’s Regent Theatre – on Saturday May 10, 2014.

The award winning musical, written by Stephen Schwartz, is celebrating its 10th year on Broadway this year, (time has flown by!) and the Melbourne season will be part of the show’s 10th anniversary tour.

Australia’s original Good Witch – Lucy Durack – will return to the role of Glinda in this production. Durack shot to stardom in the 2008 Australian premiere of Wicked and performed the role in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth over its three year run. Currently performing as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde – a role which earned her a Helpmann Award nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical – the newly engaged Durack recently sang Wicked’s heartfelt duet ‘For Good’ Kristin Chenoweth (Broadway’s original Glinda) on stage at the Sydney Opera House.

Read our Wicked Blog, penned by cast member Chris Scalzo

Jemma Rix has been confirmed to ‘don the green’ again as the misunderstood, emerald skinned Elphaba in this production. Rix has been involved with the production since it’s Australian debut at the Regent Theatre in July 2008 and has performed the role over 800 times in Australia and Asia.

“We have assembled an extraordinary cast for this 10th Anniversary tour, led by Lucy Durack returning to her favourite role, a role which shot her to stardom”, said John Frost.

“Jemma Rix is again donning the green makeup as Elphaba and is second to none with that huge voice. There’s no actress who could touch Maggie Kirkpatrick in her portrayal as Madame Morrible, so I’m very pleased Maggie has agreed to return. After playing Doctor Dillamond during the Asian tour, it’s wonderful to introduce Glen Hogstrom to Australian audiences. And it’s terrific to welcome three amazingly talented musical theatre performers in their debut lead roles, Steve Danielsen as Fiyero, Emily Cascarino as Nessarose and Edward Grey as Boq.”

Noone has been confirmed to play the role of The Wizard (originated by the late Rob Guest and also performed by Bert Newton) at this stage.

Also announced today were the members of the WICKED Ensemble:

Justin Anderson, Daniel Assetta, Dion Bilios, Rachel Cole, Danielle Cook, Daniel Downing, Danielle Evrat, Mitch Fistrovic, Tom Handley, Emma Hawthorne, Matt Holly, Angela Lumicisi, Katie McKee, Kassie Martin, John O’Hara, Deanna O’Leary, Joseph O’Sullivan, Justine Puy, Chris Scalzo, Pharic Scott, Ryan Sheppard, Ellen Sutton, Monica Swayne and Sophie Wright.

A venue for the Sydney season is yet to be confirmed but it is understood that the show will play at the Lyric Theatre QPAC during the Brisbane leg.

Tickets for the Melbourne season are on sale from Monday 22 July  – mark it in your diaries/calendars/phones! These tickets will be hot commodities, so get in fast!

For more information visit wickedthemusical.com.au

Tickets via ticketmaster.com.au