Wicked To Finally Land In Oz During 2008
Wicked To Finally Land In Oz During 2008According to Melbourne, Australia's Herald Sun, the Aussie state government of Victoria is touting its role in bringing the international musical hit Wicked to its stages.
Indeed, Victoria's Premier Steve Bracks (pictured with Kerry Ellis and Helen Dallimore from the U.K. production) was in London yesterday for the announcement that the show would finally land in the place nicknamed Oz in July 2008. Readers will recall that I reported that an Australian incarnation of Wicked was a certainty a couple months ago.
The smash hit Broadway show, of course, already has four sitdown productions currently playing: on the Great White Way, in Chicago, in London and in Los Angeles, as well as a successful North American tour. Additionally, a Japanese version of Wicked opens next month in Tokyo, while a German version opens this November in Stuttgart as Wicked - Die Hexen Von Oz.
To date, Wicked has raked in close to $500 million. To put that into context, if it were a film, it would be the top grossing one of all time were it not for a small flick called "Titanic."
Wicked's landing in Melbourne ahead of its chief Australian cultural rival Sydney is certainly a major coup, one that was acknowledged by Bracks: "Wicked has received worldwide critical acclaim and it is a real testament to the strength of Melbourne's reputation as the theatre capital of Australia that the producers have chosen to premiere the show in Victoria."
Although casting has yet to be announced -- The Age reports that Dallimore is "keen to return to for the Australian production but producer (John) Frost says it is too early to confirm casting," and readers will recall what a poor fit I found Dallimore to be in the role of Glinda -- Wicked has been confirmed to play the beautifully restored Regent Theatre in Melbourne.
After Oz, can Wicked's journey to the silver screen be far behind?
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for Wicked Broadway tickets.
Click here for Wicked Chicago tickets.
Click here for Wicked London tickets.
Click here for Wicked Los Angeles tickets.
Click here for Wicked - Die Hexen Von Oz Stuttgart tickets.
Click here for Wicked Tokyo ticket information.
Click here for Wicked U.S. Tour ticket information.
Related Stories:
Wicked (The SOB Revisit) - London (April 17, 2007)
Theatre For A New Age (April 8, 2007)
Wicked World (March 19, 2007)
Were London Critics Mourning West End Wicked? (September 28, 2006)
West End Wicked Opens Tonight (September 27, 2006)
Wicked Witch of the West End Takes Flight Tonight (September 7, 2006)
Five Times More Wicked (July 17, 2006)
Wicked's West End Witches Update (May 17, 2006)
Worldwide Wicked Casting News (May 5, 2006)
Encore: Spotlight Week Ending April 30, 2006 (April 30, 2006)
Labels: Australia, Broadway, Film, First Word On New Show, London, Musical, Wicked
posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Wednesday, May 16, 2007
7 Comments:
Post Script: What's with all the hands on the hips, anyway?
I have no idea what the hands on the hips mean!
Interesing stat about the Wicked box office. I had no idea it would be second only to Titanic if it were a movie.
I do have mixed feelings, though, about Wicked heading to the big screen eventually. I've enjoyed the movie versions of many plays and musicals that I never had a chance to see on stage, such as The History Boys and Dreamgirls. Still, I can't help but think that a little of the magic of Wicked will be gone on its journey to the multiplex. I know, I know, the inspiration behind it comes from a movie! I guess my attitude is a bit selfish. Now that I've seen it on stage, there's really no need to make the movie! But still ...
Of course, the potential audience for a screen adaptation will be considerably wider than the stage musical. But any silver screen treatment will have to be carefully constructed so as not to turn off die-hard fans.
The hands on hip is just one of those wierd things that Oz Politicans do when they feel the need to look like the rest of us common people - the alternative is a beer in on hand.
But more to the point - By WICKED going into the Regent this means that PRISCILLA can only run a max of 6 months in Melbourne.
The Regent is also the least prefered Melb venue - like the Gershwin in NY it has a wide stage and the auditorium is a bit of a barn.
Cheers
Michael H
Michael, I would much prefer a VBs in hand any day!
If the Regent is cavernous like the Gershwin, then I can only surmise that they're expecting it to sell out in Oz, too.
VB???
Didn't they give you any real beer when you were last here?
and beside Victorian Bitter is how most Sydney-siders are about the number of shows that are opening there in the next 18 months - but I guess thats what happens if you pull down all of your theatres and there is no where new shows to go.
Cheers
Michael H
Michael,
Thanks for the comments and healthy dose of humour!
To be honest, I mostly drank fine Australian wines during my last visit, which included sidetrips to both the Claire and Yarra Valleys. My fave was Skillagalee, a couple hours north/northeast of Adelaide.
Cheers! Steve
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