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Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz
Editorial ReviewBert Newton as the Wizard
Event Schedule
Regent Theatre @ Marriner Theatres
191 Collins Street, Melbourne
Get Directions Our WebsiteWhen:
2008-07-12Start:12-Jul-2008
End:18-Jan-2009
2009-01-18 23:59:59Price:
$99.90 - $125.90
Editorial Review
Opening Night 12 July
Wicked runs for an unlimited season and tickets are currentlly selling until 18 January, 2009
Regent Theatre, Melbourne
If you saw some green folk milling around the Regent Theatre on Saturday 12 July (which was floodlit in, you guessed it, green), you might have worked out that something wicked was going on. Much hype swirled our city in the lead up to the opening of Wicked and you had to wonder whether the show was really going to deliver the goods. The US version has grossed around $US1.4 million a week and according to the New York Times is "one of the most successful shows in Broadway history". The Melbourne show had big ruby-red shoes to fill. From the moment the curtain went up, however, there was no doubt that the Oz version of Wicked was going to be every bit as fantastic as its US counterpart - due in no small part to the outstanding cast.
Lucy Durack is gorgeous as the popular, good witch Glinda. One could imagine that she had been destined to play this part all her life - with her pitch-perfect vocals and comic timing, her performance was spellbinding. Amanda Harrison, the darker (green) witch had one of the most beautiful voices I had ever heard. She plays the misunderstood witch Elphaba with heart-felt emotion. And then there were the Idol stars. Anthony Callea devotees will be delighted to see him donning green tights as a cute little Munchkin (Boq) with a big voice (Catch him at Crown for a live performance on 6 December.) Rob Mills, as Fiyero, is eye candy for the front rows: he's a dashing hero with a heart - and voice - of gold.
Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz is based on a book by Gregory Maguire and features lyrics by Winnie Holzman (thirtysomething, and Once and Again), and music and by Stephen Schwartz (of Godspell and Pocahontas fame.) It's an off-beat melange of stories - stories that explain those pesky little details that you just need to know, like why the Tin Man lost his heart and where Dorothy's ruby slippers came from. But it does more than tie up some Wizard of Oz loose ends. It's also a story about friendship and courage - and why truth is just something we all agree upon. I especially love Elphaba's mission to save animals (a metaphor for the oppressed in society) and make the world a better place.
No expense has been spared for this production: with 380 dazzling costumes and technical wizardry that includes flying monkeys that actually fly over the audience, this is a production that entertains on every level. Parents be warned: Wicked is an entrancing fairytale that the littlies will love, but there is the odd scary moment.
After the passing of Rob Guest, who was magnificent as the wizard, Bert Newton now steps into the magical wizard shoes. According to Bert: "I feel priveleged to take this role, one Rob Guest memorably created for the Australian production of Wicked. Rob was a close mate, we played opposite each other in the Sound of Music, and we had a lot of fun together."
Whether you love musicals or just want to see what all the fuss is about, get a ticket to Wicked. It’s a magical journey that more than lives up to the hype. The new Oz version of Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz premiered at Melbourne's Regent Theatre on 12 July 2008 and runs for an unlimited season.
Find out about the big opening night on the green carpet and after-party or read Citysearch's interview with Lucy Durack. For more information, go to the official site or Ticketek to book tickets.
Judith Hatton, Arts Editor, Citysearch
(12 July performance)
Tell us what you think
52 comments
Heather: Sad to hear that Anthony callea will finish with the show in January. You won't see a better Boq. Will see it again before he leaves. (3 times) (20 November 2008)
Isaac: Fantastic news to see Bert take over the Wizard Role. I remember him in Beauty and the Beast with Hugh Jackman. It's a shame to lose Rob Guest, but a great replacement! (12 November 2008)
Trevor: I saw the show in London when it first opened with Idina Menzel - and Adam Garcia - since then I've been plugging it everywhere - it is the best show ever - Go Green - go See it (07 November 2008)
Vicki: Loved this show. Lucy and Amanda are uber talented! Penny and Anthony are just gorgeous as Nessa and Boq, and even Millsy puts in a fair performance. Well worth the money!! (06 November 2008)
helen: the best show in history and i've seen my fair share!! totally captivating through all aspects. (04 November 2008)
Natalie: Is Wicked coming to Perth WA??? (27 October 2008)
wendy/ olivia: Recently in Melb my 9 year old daughter and i saw wicked never seen anythink like it as in Tassie it just does not happen fantastic we are now hoping to do more shows but it will have to be good to beat wicked staff at the thearte were great and looked after us (26 October 2008)
helen: i saw WICKED on the 15th October and it is definatly going to be a real challenge to have another show beat this one!!! (23 October 2008)
Taylah: i thort wicked was really Kool!!!!! (23 October 2008)
Danni: This was the best show i have ever seen (11 October 2008)
Taz: Rest In Peace Mr Guest - you will be missed :( (03 October 2008)
Nicole Marshall: Any body should go and see wicked it is just amazing. All of the cast are brath taking! (29 September 2008)
Maria: The show was absolutely spectacular and is definitely for all age groups. A bit of a twist on the Wizard of Oz. (17 September 2008)
heather: I saw the show a short while back and it's a spectacular piece of theatre. The whole cast are outstanding. I confess I went specially to see Anthony callea as Boq and was very happy to see him do so well with the acting. his singing is a given. But I have to mention also Lucay and Amanda who were standouts in their particular roles. Scenery, costumes, stage effects, cast, music .... al outstanding. Do yourselves a favour and go several times. I plan to. (12 September 2008)
Supersoph: From the moment i heard about the show i feel in love with it. It's magical and miss understood journey carried me away! From the start i have always been a Elphaba Fan. I have always loved green but she just captied my hart from word go. I saw july the 13th and I loved it then but i didn't know that as an erly birthday present i also saw it on september the 3rd it was extra Good ! I was a bit disapointed at first that Amanda didn't do the show but i got over it . Gemma was just as good! The person i Loved the most not just because he is Hot but always loved him was Rob mills ! He was born to play That role ! Some who i thought also was a stand out was Penny who played Nessashe was great ! Love you Penny ! The whole show is what people say and defiently more! If i had the chance to i would see it every day ! But i live in Adelaide so it's a bit hard ! (05 September 2008)
Helen: Lyn, I think your kids will be fine - the head of Oz is a little scary but kids these days see much scarier! (23 August 2008)
Rob: Maggie Kirkpatrick Brilliant as always (22 August 2008)
Lyn: Thinking of taking a 6 and 8 year old. A bit long? Too scarey? (18 August 2008)
caity: everyone should go see this...i really wanted the soundtrack with the melbourne cast they were just amazing. anyone know why they didnt make a cd? (17 August 2008)
Alana: Fabulous show. The two main stars are just wonderful - Amanda Harrison is brilliant and Lucy Durack is a great Glinda. The majority of the rest of the cast is also fantastic, but Rob Mills acting is good, but he needs to work on his dancing and vocal strength to truly nail the part - he may also need to watch his attention seeking ways during curtain call - it's poor form trying to draw attention to yourself during someone elses bows. (05 August 2008)
Stephen: Just got back from the 1pm Sunday show ... Fantastic .. I will be going back soon .. really funny and really well done story .. (03 August 2008)
fiona thomas: what a fantastic show congratulations to all concerned (03 August 2008)
Fi: It was spectacular - we came down from Sydney, no regrets. Even the stand-by's were spectacular, the whole show is just stunning. costumes are amazing and the music itself is divine. Get the soundtrack and see for yourself if you don't believe it! (02 August 2008)
lizzy: omg it is a have to see!! amanda was amazing!!!!! especially in no good deed and lucy was awesome too highly recomend it!!!!! (01 August 2008)
Eliza: I loved it!! Lucy and Amanda are just astonishgly good as Glinda and Elphaba, star making roles, and they sure make the most of them. Penny MacNamee and Anthony Callea are the best Nessa/Boq pair I've seen and the rest of the cast are jus wonderful too. I'd urge everyone to go see this show, you won't be disappointed. (28 July 2008)
Joann: lve been to the show 5 times now and going 5 more times l think the show is amazing anth is so good at playing Boq and the other cast are so good too also the songs are amazing too when you see this show for the 1st time you want to go again and again this show is not to be missed love from Joann (21 July 2008)
nora: I saw this play, and it is awesome!!!! So clever. (19 July 2008)
olivia: Olivia/kate and friends-saw wicked on sunday night 13th,awesome show,the two lead females fantastic,rob mills was a great prince,acted well,his voice is not as strong as the rest of the cast,a bit soft but he did the job and was very funny,-Anthony Callea-as Boq-cute,cute,cute,he was a great munchkin,he looked the part,we just wanted to take him home(in a nice way) boq is in love with Glinda,but she pays no notice,he has a top voice and he is hot-we can always dream,i guess,Nessarose-wonderful she is in love with boq,its like a soap opera,Rob guest and Maggie-legends,Dr dillamond,outstanding.Top show,u will love it.Great effects,the sunday show audience gave a full standing ovation.the cast must of been exhausted,as a few voices seemed croaky,after all it was after opening nite,but wicked will be in melbourne for a few while,xo OLI,KATE,MICHELLE AND RITA (15 July 2008)
Terrye Sayers: What a hoot loved it and want to see it again but want balcony seats how do I get then??????????????? (14 July 2008)
Dale&Shannon: Having read the book we were intrigued and even though it does not follow the book to the letter we loved it. We flew interstate to see it and if it comes to NSW we will go again. Not a lover of Rob Mills we were concerned but thoroughly enjoyed his performance. Boq was performed that night by the understudy and we thought his performance was wonderful. The 2 witches what can you say they performed them to exception. Galinda or should I say Glinda performed "popular" to the understanding of all who has gone through High School FICK FLICK HEE HEE and watching the Wicked Witch of the west melt with my daughter from when she was 3 yrs old and she can recite basically this movie. It was the perfect we loved it GO AND SEE THIS (13 July 2008)
Heather: OMG! Wicked was fantastic! (12 July 2008)
bianca: went and saw wicked and totally agree with sandra,anthony callea is made for theater,ive never heard such a powerfulvoice,its a shame his role is not najor,rob mills is ok,but overall wicked will impress,theirs more to it then the australian idols,uou should see the witches perform-outstanding,well done to the cast and crew. (11 July 2008)
josh: went to see wicked on sunday night,with my two young boys,aged 5 and 7,no problem with the visual effects,the kids loved it,i first saw wicked three years ago in london,i can say that the australian cast performs just as good,the two witches are fantastic.looking at other reviews, it seems in oz we are quick to put down our young talent,whereas in the usa,england their idols are treated serious,rob mills did a top job with fiyero,and anthony callea,was a great munchkin,everyone needs to understand both rob and anthony,have never done theater,ROB GUEST STARTED AS A young POP SINGER IN NEWZEALAND,LOOK AT HIM TODAY.enjoy the show. (07 July 2008)
'sandra: Took my young eight year old daughter to wicked friday 4th july,she loved it,i was proud to see great australian talent,we should always support our performers, i was impressed wit the two idols,anthony callea- as boq blew me away,he is so cute and my daughter actually asked if they had boq dolls,im sure australia will fall in love with boq,rob mills,great,i think he may of missed or forgotten a line during his duet with elphaba,if anyone noticed this please confirm. i heard a few audience members comment,that he forgot the end of the song,please confirm,overall a very solid performance (05 July 2008)
sandra: Went and saw the friday show,was impressed with the full production.i have just returned from the USA,and saw wicked several times in the states.be assured,australia has the best glinda,morrible and boq ive seen.Glinda,is outstanding-the best ive seen ,i was impressed with anthony callea,he plays the biggest geek and plays it convincing,its a shame he doesnt get to belt out more songs,but with what he did sing, it was first class, you could see the audience feeling,sorry for boq,penny mcnamee was great as nessarose. overall,it lives to its hype. (05 July 2008)
Annie: i saw wicked on saturday 28th june....a fantastic show and a must for all to see.....the Elphaba standby Jemma Stevenson was on this night and she was truly amazing..... so talented,magnificent... walking out of theatre i heard people saying, how could a standby be so brilliant....we would all go back to see her again wicked is wicked (05 July 2008)
Richard: Josephine: it should be good for the children, but I saw more than a few kids (10,11 year-olds, etc) squirming in their seats, especially in act 2. It's a long show. Also, there are a couple of potentially scary bits (flying monkeys, Moving dragon, and the Wizard's big moving head and booming voice.) So the 7yo might need some hand-holding. But if they have seen the movie (and aren't scared of the monkeys/witches/etc) then they'll probably be ok. (04 July 2008)
Richard: Josephine: it should be good for the children, but I saw more than a few kids (10,11 year-olds, etc) squirming in their seats, especially in act 2. It's a long show. Also, there are a couple of potentially scary bits (flying monkeys, Moving dragon, and the Wizard's big moving head and booming voice.) So the 7yo might need some hand-holding. But if they have seen the movie (and aren't scared of the monkeys/witches/etc) then they'll probably be ok. (04 July 2008)
Richard: Saw it last night. I was blown away -- the technical/production treatments were outstanding, the music was catchy, and the acting/singing was top notch. Loved every part of this. A must-see. (04 July 2008)
joseph: went to see wicked on 2/july/2008,great cast,it seems all main charac ters portray their parts exceptionaly well,both witches are outstanding,rob guest,what a legend.i have seen the show in london,and australia should be very proud,other standouts-not a big fan of anthony callea,but for someone who has never acted,he was amazing,a perfect boq,when he does sing,it sounded awesome,its also refreshing that he can take the micky out of himself/munchkin/height etc,in time he will get the acting part stronger,rob mills just plays himself,perfect fit,confident,cheeky,but no one beats adam garcia,overall,fantastic. (04 July 2008)
samm: oh my god. wicked is amazing. its based on the book written by gregory maquire. i am wickeds biggest fan. ive seen it in the states and a melbourne preview and its incredible! its a must see! (03 July 2008)
josephine: Hi I want to take my 3 children aged 7,9,11 I was hoping someone how has see it could tell me if it ok for there age group thanks (03 July 2008)
Hannah: Saw it on Friday night and was blown away...totally awesome..great sets, great cast, fantastic script (some perfect one liners ). Melbourne we are so lucky to have this one, cos you're going to want to see it again. I know I'm going back! (29 June 2008)
Rose: I love Wicked... you all must see it! I am! It is really cool! (24 June 2008)
Jessica: best ever i went every day to see it in london (14 June 2008)
Chloe: Absolutely fantastic show!! I saw it in London last year, again on Broadway and will save up to fly to melbourne to see it again. Fantastic show! (12 June 2008)
love wicked: YOU MUST SEE EVEN THOUGH I HAVN'T BUT I AM (09 June 2008)
rimi: i havn't seen it yet but it sounds good and i think it would be good if you haven't got a clue in what happeneds in The Wizard of Oz so if you asked me it will better than The Wizard of Oz . p.s. i will go and see it on the 24th of speteber with my grandma and rewite what think. (09 June 2008)
rupert: martin michaels what would you know (02 June 2008)
Stefanie: I saw "Wicked" in the States and loved it. The best musical in a long time. I will see it again in Melbourne!!! (26 May 2008)
martin micheals: wasnt it based on the book "wicked" written by a guy... im not suere of his name. gregory something??? (23 May 2008)
Shauna: Saw this show twice in London, a MUST see!!! (23 May 2008)
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