The gravity-defying musical, Wicked, is now dancing through life and playing in Melbourne. Recently celebrating 20 years after its premiere on Broadway, this popular musical has won over 100 major awards, including the Grammy Award, the Olivier Award and three Tony Awards. After enchanting audiences in Sydney for six months, Wicked is now showing at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne. Don’t miss it, or you’ll be green with envy!
Wicked the Musical
Based on the novel Wicked by Gregory Maquire, this story is a prequel to The Wizard of Oz. It tells the story of the talented girl with emerald skin, Elphaba, and the blonde and popular Glinda. They become rivals, then friends, until the world decides to call one ‘good’ and the other one ‘wicked’. This musical has played in 16 countries around the world and been translated into six languages. It is currently the 4th longest running show in Broadway history.
Melbourne-born Sheridan Adams is playing Elphaba, the emerald girl who grows up to become the ‘Wicked Witch of the West’. Her vocals, particularly in the iconic song, Defying Gravity, will give you goosebumps. Courtney Monsma is playing the bubbly ‘Glinda the Good’, and she’s an absolute crowd-pleaser. Monsma has excellent comedic timing, adding little gasps and gestures that bring Glinda to life. These two characters are the heart of the show, and together, they make an unstoppable team.
Meanwhile, Robyn Nevin is taking on the role of Madame Morrible, with Simon Burke as the Wizard, Liam Head as Fiyero and Adam Murphy is Dr Dillamond. Finally, Shewit Belay plays Nessarose, with Kurtis Papadinis as Boq.
Wicked has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and the book is by Winnie Holzman. This production features musical staging by Wayne Cilento with original direction by Joe Mantello.
Whether you’ve seen it before, or you’re a first timer, after you see this show, you’ll be changed for the better.