Star trek: Shoshana heads to Brisvegas

Shoshana Bean, star of the Broadway smash hits Wicked and Hairspray is coming to Brisbane for a one night only concert that no musical theatre lover can afford to miss.

Shoshana is one of the brightest stars on Broadway, having wowed New York audiences with her impressive voice for many years, and recently released her debut album Superhero which went straight to the top of the R&B charts in America and won an Independent Music Award.

Shoshana made a name for herself performing on Broadway in productions ofGodspell, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and in the original cast ofHairspray.

She appeared in Holly Madison’s Peepshow in Las Vegas, and became only the second person in the world to play Elphaba the greenskinned witch in Wickedwhen she took over the role from Idina Menzel.

This will be Shoshana’s first visit to Australia and Brisbane fans have the exclusive opportunity to see her perform at the Brisbane Powerhouse for one night only.

Shoshana’s visit is the inaugural performance in Harvest Rain Theatre Company’sBroadway to Brisvegas series in which Brisbane audiences will at last be able to enjoy performances from Broadway stars in their own city.

Harvest Rain’s Artistic Director Tim O’Connor said it was a thrill and a coup to secure Shoshana.

“I know so many people who dream of one day having enough money to get to Broadway, but I figure while we’re all saving our pennies, why not bring a bit of Broadway to Brisbane?,” he said.

“Shoshana is an incredible talent with an absolutely gobsmacking voice and this will be her first trip to Australia, so she is just as excited as us about the whole thing! It’s going to be an amazing and unforgettable night with her at the Powerhouse. I can’t wait!”

Shoshana has been a back-up singer for an endless list of superstars including Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, Destiny’s Child, N’Sync, Ray Charles, Britney Spears and Michael Jackson at KTU’s Miracle on 34th Street and Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration, both at Madison Square Garden.

She gained national attention when she teamed up with Grammy Award nominee Brian McKnight to honour Aretha Franklin on the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards. The duo performed Franklin’s classic ‘Ain’t No Way’ on the nationally broadcast show, prompting a live audience to erupt into a standing ovation before the song was over.

To Wicked fans all over the world, Shoshana is regarded as one of the finest ever Elphabas.

Shoshana is at the Powerhouse Theatre on Wednesday, June 23 form 7.30pm.

Tickets are on sale now. Book on (07) 3358 8600 or www.harvestrain.com.au