The first South Australian Amateur production of Wicked will hit Adelaide in July 2016 and feature two experienced leading ladies creating a stir in OZ. Dianne k Lang will wear the black hat and green complexion as Elphaba and Katharine-Jade Sachse will don the bejewelled tiara as Glinda.
Lang is no newcomer to powerful leading roles and was critically acclaimed as Eva Peron in MBM’s Evita in 1996. Lang works as a professional actress in film, television and stage and brings her powerful voice to the role of the green skinned Elphaba.
Sachse, is most recognisable as the cat’s ear head band wearing contestant from the 2014 season of The Voice. Sachse is also an experienced actress and performs professionally as a singer in Adelaide. Her magnificent voice will be a major asset in playing this coveted role.
Wicked, the award-winning musical, is based on the best-selling Gregory Maguire novel – has set the musical world alight with Winnie Holzman’s inspired retelling of the untold story of the Witches of Oz.
It will play the Arts Theatre from July 7-16 and Elizabeth’s Shedley Theatre from July 20 to 30.
Director/Producer Matt Byrne said he was “delighted to have won the rights to present this superb musical.”
“Wicked won fans around the globe for its magnificent music, powerful story and unforgettable characters and now Adelaide will get its own version,” Byrne said. “It is a show for all ages that takes the characters from The Wizard of Oz and shows their magical origins. … a lot was going on before Dorothy dropped in.”
“This will be one of the most technically demanding productions MBM has ever presented, with animations, projections and a stunning lighting design”.
Wicked features superb songs like the electrifying Defying Gravity, Popular, The Wizard And I, What Is This Feeling, Dancing Through Life, I’m Not That Girl and the beautiful duet For Good.
The cast features Michael Bates as playboy student Fiyero, Zak Vasiliou as the heartfelt munchkin Boq, and Sophia Bubner as Elphaba’s wheelchair bound sister Nessarose. There is also great experience with Lisa Simonetti as shifty Shiz University headmistress Madam Morrible, Rick Williams as The Wizard and Neville Phillis as the goat history professor Dr. Dillamond.
Wicked will run at the Arts Theatre at 53 Angas Street, Adelaide from July 7-9 and 12 to 16 at 8 p.m. and July 9 and 16 at 2 p.m., and Elizabeth’s Shedley Theatre from July 20-23 and 27 to 30 at 8 p.m. and July 23 and 30 at 2 p.m.
Admission is Adults $40 and Concession $35 (plus MBM Booking Fee) with Group Discounts of $38/$33 for Groups of 10 or more. Bookings fees apply for all tickets. All Seating is reserved. Bookings are available online at www.wickedsa.com or on 8262 4906 or BASS or dramatix.com.au
