Thursday, September 18, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
GEELONG ADVERTISER REVIEW
IT'S WICKED, TRULY
GUY DAVIS 15 July 2008
Geelong Advertiser
Belive the hype. Wicked, the much-loved stage musical now playing at Melbourne's Regent Theatre after successful seasons in New York, London and elsewhere, is truly marvellous -- a lavish and thoroughly entertaining show that puts a winningly subversive spin on the classic story of The Wizard of Oz.
Its focus is on the tale's two main witches, and anyone who's seen The Wizard of Oz on TV will recall The Good Witch of the North personified all that was sweetness and light, while The Wicked Witch of the West ... well, didn't.
But Wicked, adapted from Gregory Maguire's novel of the same name, invites you to look a little deeper into the lives of these two characters, taking the audience back to their schooldays when they first formed their bond.
Elphaba (Amanda Harrison) is feisty, outspoken, green-skinned; Glinda (Lucy Durack) is her opposite -- blonde, bubbly, popular.
When they're forced to share a room, it's loathe at first sight. But the two gradually find they have more in common than either of them imagined, and a friendship develops.
There are troubled times a-brewin' in the land of Oz, though, and Elphaba and Glinda are recruited by the Wizard (Rob Guest) to help maintain the status quo with their magical powers.
But when Elphaba discovers the Wizard's hidden agenda, she rebels, leading the powers that be to denounce her as wicked.
Maguire and Winnie Holzman, who adapted the book for the stage, have great fun viewing the story from a different perspective.
At the same time, the show has an identity -- quick-witted, sharp-tongued and big-hearted -- all its own.
That identity is evident in Stephen Schwartz's songs. If your heart doesn't race during the show-stopping `Defying Gravity', consult a cardiologist.
Musical-theatre powerhouses Harrison and Durack both create three-dimensional characters it's impossible not to understand, sympathise with and fall for.
These two leads are the standouts but no-one in the cast can be faulted. Australian Idol alumni Rob Mills and Anthony Callea work a treat. Mills in particular is great as the dashing love interest Fiyero.
Everything works in Wicked, from the magnificent sets that will make your jaw drop to the spellbinding songs that will remain in your head for days afterwards.
Saturday's premiere performance earned a standing ovation from the capacity crowd -- the acclaim was well and truly deserved.
GUY DAVIS 15 July 2008
Geelong Advertiser
Belive the hype. Wicked, the much-loved stage musical now playing at Melbourne's Regent Theatre after successful seasons in New York, London and elsewhere, is truly marvellous -- a lavish and thoroughly entertaining show that puts a winningly subversive spin on the classic story of The Wizard of Oz.
Its focus is on the tale's two main witches, and anyone who's seen The Wizard of Oz on TV will recall The Good Witch of the North personified all that was sweetness and light, while The Wicked Witch of the West ... well, didn't.
But Wicked, adapted from Gregory Maguire's novel of the same name, invites you to look a little deeper into the lives of these two characters, taking the audience back to their schooldays when they first formed their bond.
Elphaba (Amanda Harrison) is feisty, outspoken, green-skinned; Glinda (Lucy Durack) is her opposite -- blonde, bubbly, popular.
When they're forced to share a room, it's loathe at first sight. But the two gradually find they have more in common than either of them imagined, and a friendship develops.
There are troubled times a-brewin' in the land of Oz, though, and Elphaba and Glinda are recruited by the Wizard (Rob Guest) to help maintain the status quo with their magical powers.
But when Elphaba discovers the Wizard's hidden agenda, she rebels, leading the powers that be to denounce her as wicked.
Maguire and Winnie Holzman, who adapted the book for the stage, have great fun viewing the story from a different perspective.
At the same time, the show has an identity -- quick-witted, sharp-tongued and big-hearted -- all its own.
That identity is evident in Stephen Schwartz's songs. If your heart doesn't race during the show-stopping `Defying Gravity', consult a cardiologist.
Musical-theatre powerhouses Harrison and Durack both create three-dimensional characters it's impossible not to understand, sympathise with and fall for.
These two leads are the standouts but no-one in the cast can be faulted. Australian Idol alumni Rob Mills and Anthony Callea work a treat. Mills in particular is great as the dashing love interest Fiyero.
Everything works in Wicked, from the magnificent sets that will make your jaw drop to the spellbinding songs that will remain in your head for days afterwards.
Saturday's premiere performance earned a standing ovation from the capacity crowd -- the acclaim was well and truly deserved.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
TROY DODDS - 'JUST HAVING MY SAY'
WICKED CASTS A MAGIC SPELL
Troy Dodds - Aussietheatre.com
My favourite moment from the opening night of Wicked on Saturday came in the moments following Amanda Harrison's performance of 'Defying Gravity' to close the first act. As the lights came back on for interval, there was an incredible buzz across the audience; a buzz reserved for when a show has captured an audience so much that they can't wait to gush about it to the person sitting next to them. It was a magical moment from a night full of memories and highlights.
When I first saw Wicked in New York back in 2004, with Idina Menzel and Jennifer Laura Thompson, I walked out of the theatre with a feeling I'd never felt before. This show has an incredible knack of drawing you in and never letting you go, and seeing another 2,000 people or so get that feeling on Saturday night was amazing. To the cast, the crew and the people who brought it to Australia, a massive congratulations and a job well done - you've exceeded every possible expectation.
There was a wonderful feeling in the foyer before and after the show, and while some of the regular theatre industry people were keen to pick out what was wrong with the show, those who hadn't seen it before were in awe. And that's the opinion that is the most crucial to me, because people familiar with Wicked will always have a pre-conceived viewpoint, so it was indeed most interesting to hear from people who were legitimately shocked and surprised about just how good this show was.
Amanda Harrison and Lucy Durack are the perfect pair for Elphaba and Glinda and both will provide the roles with the energy and vocal quality required. In fact, overall the entire cast is extremely good, with any fears over certain roles very much calmed. Anthony Callea and Rob Mills, who copped a lot of attention for their casting as Boq and Fiyero, were truly grand and Mills and Harrison's duet, 'As Long As You're Mine', was performed with such passion that it very nearly raised the roof off the Regent.
The after-party at the Sofitel Melbourne was a performance in itself. No expense was spared and while this party was certainly above and beyond anything else presented as part of an Australian musical opening, one thing was certain: Melbourne can throw a party a lot better than Sydney. It's happened before, and it'll happen again. Walking around in a suit holding a pizza in a cardboard box was a little unconventional, but Wicked is very much allowed to re-write the rules.
When the dust settled, there was the realisation that Wicked provides something very special for Australian music theatre. Not since the days of the string of Cam Mac shows have we seen a musical get so much attention, including from non-regular theatre-goers who seem to know more about Wicked than any other musical that's ever popped into town. The show very much holds a key to the future, and could have a wonderful snowball effect in the long-term.
People will have different opinions about various aspects of the show, and that is what makes Wicked so grand. Everything from our coverage here at the website to individual performances, marketing, ticket prices and so much more will, I am sure, be frowned upon every now and again. Our coverage has obviously been quite huge and that has been a planned move for several months, and the media overall has done a tremendous job in its coverage of Wicked, particularly of the opening weekend. How wonderful it has been to see a musical get so much attention for all the right reasons.
http://www.aussietheatre.com.au/
Troy Dodds - Aussietheatre.com
My favourite moment from the opening night of Wicked on Saturday came in the moments following Amanda Harrison's performance of 'Defying Gravity' to close the first act. As the lights came back on for interval, there was an incredible buzz across the audience; a buzz reserved for when a show has captured an audience so much that they can't wait to gush about it to the person sitting next to them. It was a magical moment from a night full of memories and highlights.
When I first saw Wicked in New York back in 2004, with Idina Menzel and Jennifer Laura Thompson, I walked out of the theatre with a feeling I'd never felt before. This show has an incredible knack of drawing you in and never letting you go, and seeing another 2,000 people or so get that feeling on Saturday night was amazing. To the cast, the crew and the people who brought it to Australia, a massive congratulations and a job well done - you've exceeded every possible expectation.
There was a wonderful feeling in the foyer before and after the show, and while some of the regular theatre industry people were keen to pick out what was wrong with the show, those who hadn't seen it before were in awe. And that's the opinion that is the most crucial to me, because people familiar with Wicked will always have a pre-conceived viewpoint, so it was indeed most interesting to hear from people who were legitimately shocked and surprised about just how good this show was.
Amanda Harrison and Lucy Durack are the perfect pair for Elphaba and Glinda and both will provide the roles with the energy and vocal quality required. In fact, overall the entire cast is extremely good, with any fears over certain roles very much calmed. Anthony Callea and Rob Mills, who copped a lot of attention for their casting as Boq and Fiyero, were truly grand and Mills and Harrison's duet, 'As Long As You're Mine', was performed with such passion that it very nearly raised the roof off the Regent.
The after-party at the Sofitel Melbourne was a performance in itself. No expense was spared and while this party was certainly above and beyond anything else presented as part of an Australian musical opening, one thing was certain: Melbourne can throw a party a lot better than Sydney. It's happened before, and it'll happen again. Walking around in a suit holding a pizza in a cardboard box was a little unconventional, but Wicked is very much allowed to re-write the rules.
When the dust settled, there was the realisation that Wicked provides something very special for Australian music theatre. Not since the days of the string of Cam Mac shows have we seen a musical get so much attention, including from non-regular theatre-goers who seem to know more about Wicked than any other musical that's ever popped into town. The show very much holds a key to the future, and could have a wonderful snowball effect in the long-term.
People will have different opinions about various aspects of the show, and that is what makes Wicked so grand. Everything from our coverage here at the website to individual performances, marketing, ticket prices and so much more will, I am sure, be frowned upon every now and again. Our coverage has obviously been quite huge and that has been a planned move for several months, and the media overall has done a tremendous job in its coverage of Wicked, particularly of the opening weekend. How wonderful it has been to see a musical get so much attention for all the right reasons.
http://www.aussietheatre.com.au/
Saturday, September 6, 2008
AUSTRALIAN PRINCIPAL CAST PHOTOS
REVIEW / PROMO - Stuff.co.NZ
HAVE A WICKEDLY DECO TIME IN MELBOURNE
By DIANA PLATER - AAP
Wednesday, 20 August 2008
Two major attractions are enticing art and theatre lovers to Melbourne as winter gradually yields to spring.
The blockbuster exhibition Art Deco 1910-1939 will continue at the National Gallery of Victoria until October 5.
And WICKED, the hot Broadway musical, is now pulling them in at the Regent Theatre.
Even before it opened on June 27 WICKED had made A$15m in advance bookings.
It recounts the untold story of the witches of Oz before Dorothy dropped in – they're the wicked witch of the west Elphaba, played by Amanda Harrison, and the good witch Glinda played by Lucy Durack.
Some of the best moments come from former Australian Idol contestants Anthony Callea as a munchkin and Rob Mills, playing the handsome and wealthy party boy prince Fiyero.
Known for her role in Prisoner, Maggie Kirkpatrick is Madame Morrible, headmistress of Shiz University, who definitely has a dark side.
And Rob Guest is the Wizard of Oz.
You have to guess who becomes the Lion, the Straw Man and the Tin Man.
The set, lighting and costumes – all very green – reflect the huge amount of money – $12 million ($NZ14.87 million – spent on the production.
But while the story is rather convoluted and at times the production surprisingly flat – especially when you recall the magic of The Wizard of Oz – WICKED's received rave reviews.
One of Australia's great theatres, the Regent, described as "Hollywood extravaganza", is well worth a visit, especially if you are a lover of grandiose interior decor
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4661391a2181.html
By DIANA PLATER - AAP
Wednesday, 20 August 2008
Two major attractions are enticing art and theatre lovers to Melbourne as winter gradually yields to spring.
The blockbuster exhibition Art Deco 1910-1939 will continue at the National Gallery of Victoria until October 5.
And WICKED, the hot Broadway musical, is now pulling them in at the Regent Theatre.
Even before it opened on June 27 WICKED had made A$15m in advance bookings.
It recounts the untold story of the witches of Oz before Dorothy dropped in – they're the wicked witch of the west Elphaba, played by Amanda Harrison, and the good witch Glinda played by Lucy Durack.
Some of the best moments come from former Australian Idol contestants Anthony Callea as a munchkin and Rob Mills, playing the handsome and wealthy party boy prince Fiyero.
Known for her role in Prisoner, Maggie Kirkpatrick is Madame Morrible, headmistress of Shiz University, who definitely has a dark side.
And Rob Guest is the Wizard of Oz.
You have to guess who becomes the Lion, the Straw Man and the Tin Man.
The set, lighting and costumes – all very green – reflect the huge amount of money – $12 million ($NZ14.87 million – spent on the production.
But while the story is rather convoluted and at times the production surprisingly flat – especially when you recall the magic of The Wizard of Oz – WICKED's received rave reviews.
One of Australia's great theatres, the Regent, described as "Hollywood extravaganza", is well worth a visit, especially if you are a lover of grandiose interior decor
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4661391a2181.html
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