WICKED continues to cast its spell over Melbourne, with its stellar cast enchanting audiences eight times a week with its “brains, heart and courage” (Time magazine).
From July though, there will be a new Fiyero in the Emerald City. Due to a knee injury, Liam Head has had to withdraw from his role as Fiyero in WICKED for the remainder of the Melbourne season.
On behalf of his co-producers, John Frost for Crossroads Live has announced that internationally acclaimed performer Ainsley Melham will commence as Fiyero from next week for the remainder of the Melbourne season.
Last seen on the stage of Melbourne’s Regent Theatre as Prince Topher in Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Ainsley returns to Australia after originating the role of Dwyane in the new Broadway musical BOOP!, based on the iconic jazz age figure Betty Boop. The production recently enjoyed its out-of-town run in Chicago ahead of its Broadway opening in 2025.
Ainsley has also been seen on stage in Australia and Broadway in the title role of Disney’s Aladdin, and as Pippin in Pippin, Molina in Kiss of the Spider Woman, Charley in Merrily We Roll Along, Felix in The Normal Heart, Sonny in Xanadu and The Lost Boy in Watershed: The Death of Dr. Duncan.
The stellar Australian cast is led by Courtney Monsma as Glinda and Sheridan Adams as Elphaba. They are joined by Robyn Nevin who plays Madame Morrible, Simon Burke is the Wizard, Adam Murphy is Dr Dillamond, Shewit Belay plays Nessarose, Kurtis Papadinis is Boq and Zoe Coppinger is the Elphaba Standby.
Twenty years since celebrating its premiere on Broadway, WICKED remains one of the most successful and popular musicals in the world. It has won over 100 major awards including the Grammy Award, the Olivier Award, six Helpmann Awards, three Tony Awards® and six Drama Desk Awards. Over 65 million people worldwide have seen this spectacular phenomenon.
Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, WICKED has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. The production features musical staging by Wayne Cilento with original direction by Joe Mantello. WICKED is produced in Australia by John Frost for Crossroads Live, Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.
WICKED will continue to delight audiences at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre until 25 August, before heading to the Lyric Theatre – QPAC, Brisbane in September and Crown Theatre Perth in December 2024. For more information, visit: www.wickedthemusical.com.au for details.
Image: Ainsley Melham joins the Melbourne season of WICKED