Wicked: Full Australian Cast Pg 5- Page 2

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 12/29/07 at 11:40pm

David has no interest in doing the show, Judi has a new show with suzanne coming next year ( as well as Sweeney no doubt )

I would love Tina Arena to do it, but after what happened with the American Director/Producers of Cabaret, i am not sure she would be willing.

But from what i hear, the people listed in the first post are the cast of Wicked!

[rabymon10]

Posted: 12/30/07 at 2:02am

Well, I just thank you rosscoe that you've allowed the opportunity for us to talk about this on these boards, unlike certian Australian theatre sites that these days won't allow any speculation, rumour or such go on in fear of their 'perfect' little reputation.

I wonder if Amanda Harrison did audition at all. She told me after one show of Miss Saigon in Brisbane that she certainly was going to audition, with all the bells and whistles included. She certainly would have been great, even though I felt her Ellen was still too restrained after replcing Sophie Katinas.

Either way, I'd be very happy with Lucy and Pippa in the lead roles, though as it's already been said, there's still the chance that Helen at least could be taking the lead role for a limited amount of time, so whichever of these girls (most likely Lucy) could very well be her replacement, in the same manner Kerry Ellis was to Idina.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 12/30/07 at 2:58am

I did not hear if Amanda audition or not and yes she would have or still could be wonderful in either of the roles.

Fulling casting should be released mid next month, when group bookings open

[Urban]

Posted: 12/30/07 at 7:25am

rabymon10 - there are actual Oz Theatre bulletin board sites out there? I didn't know that. Heh.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 1/1/08 at 4:33pm

Helen turned down the role.

[rabymon10]

Posted: 1/1/08 at 6:31pm

Nooo!!! I loved you Helen, why'd you have to go and turn your back on me?!!

Oh gosh, I was really looking forward to seeing her again, on the off chance that she accepted the role. I think what she did with the character was brilliant, a multi layered wonder. However, with that said, I'm glad too that someone else has the opportunity to hopefully get their big break with it, and am looking forward to a new interpretation!

[BroomstickBoy]

Posted: 1/1/08 at 6:44pm

What happened with Tina and the American Director/Producers of Cabaret?

[Khashoggi]

Posted: 1/3/08 at 2:48am

The amazing Lucy Durack will in fact be playing Glinda. The producers of the show have no interest in using "name" casting. The show is the star. Last time I heard, the producers were still tossing up their options as far as the casting of Elphaba was concerned, but Pippa Grandison's name was certainly being thrown around.
Rob Mills did audition for Fiyero, but from what I heard, was unable to pass the dance audition.

[Urban]

Posted: 1/3/08 at 11:33am

Ooooh... Gossip!

(Hey when one had insomnia at 3.30am - this stuff just sounds so much better).

[Mrs Mangel]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 12:04am

Has any of this been officially announced yet? Have I missed it?

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 1:24am

The full cast should be announced around the 12th of Feb.

Also Pauline ( from Australian idol ) name has been thrown around, that would make three past idol performers.

Rob
Anthony
Pauline...

If any of this true, god help Australian Musical Theatre!!

[mrkringas]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 1:48am

Amanda is perfect esp for those that heard her in WWRY

[rabymon10]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 7:58am

rosscoe, if what you've just said is true, put a bullet it my head now... and make no hesitation to bludgeon me if I continue to live.

I'm sorry, actually, you know what? No I'm not. I'm not going to play a game of favourites like they have been at other boards, and say that it IS okay to have a cast of a major musical that's having its Australian debut made up of former Idols. They can give every excuse in the book and say 'but, but, if they're right for the part!'. No. One, I can understand... two, it's getting tedious... three - it's goddam blatant freakin' favouritism and stunt casting blown out of proportion.
Okay, I like Pauline. Yes, she's a descent singer. And yes, I'm going to say she's a hell of a lot better than Rob Mills can ever hope to be. But no producer is going to tell me that she just happened to be the best, out of the many thousands that auditioned for this show; many thousands that are made up of people who have worked their whole lives, gone to drama schools and became trained to be the best in their art, spent thousands of dollars; people that have PROVEN they can act, sing and dance as potential world class entertainers. There was a quicker way of expressing my feelings toward this, but I doubt BWW would have been able to handle half of the expletives I was about to use... ;D

This is just getting way out of hand if true. It's a sad day when just about every new major show that opens in the country has to stunt cast, and says a lot about the perceived mentality of our audiences, and the producers too for that matter. Wicked is the star. And it makes stars. I don't want the stars running the show - the show needs to run them.

Still, I have my doubts about how much of this is true; afterall, the American production team is in charge. I just hope John Frost hasn't been in their ears too much.

[alterego]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 8:16am

rabymon10, can I guess that you auditioned and weren't chosen?

[rabymon10]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 8:29am

Not a chance. Had it have been three years ago, I might have... but today - my sights are set on shows of a grander scale.

[alterego]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 8:31am

LOL!

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 12:08pm

rabymon10, i think the whole cast bit above is nothing more rumours, i too have faith that Frost will not allow this to become a stunt casted waste.

[Mrs Mangel]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 11:02pm

I heard that Tim Campbell had auditioned. Is that true or is he all booked up with "Shout"?

[brettystar]

Posted: 1/28/08 at 12:38am

I think the cast mentioned in the first post of this thread is the official cast. Concerned over the casting of Pippa Grandison as she has always seemed more of a 'folk singer' than a belter. Lucy Durack looks the part of Galinda.
It seems the only part that there are a plethora of suitable actors for is that of Madame Morrible.
The stunt casting of Rob Mills and Anthony Callea seems foolish. I think AC is a real talent but the role of Boq seems wasted on him granted that he doesn't really do a lot of singing - it's more of an actor who can sing role than a singer who can try to act.
For what its worth - here is my dream cast. I threw AC in to please the producers lol.

ELPHABA - Sylvie Palladino
GALINDA - Danielle Everett
FIYERO - David Harris
WIZARD - Anthony Warlow
NESSAROSE - Sharon Millerchip
MADAME MORRIBLE - Geraldine Turner, Toni Lamond, Judi Connelli
BOQ - Anthony Callea

[bohemianqueen]

Posted: 1/28/08 at 2:13am

AC has a great voice - but he can't ACT! I saw him RENT ....hmmm.. also as for Pippa being a labeled a 'folk singer', never heard that before! Did you here her in WWRY - she has a HUGE belt and will be FAB as Elphaba! I am so glad they have decided to cast the 2 leads as 'non' celebrities! Lucy will be FAB as Galinda - the perfect role for her:)

Apparently Rob Mills was considered originally, but had been overlooked now. Altho Casting still isn't finished, could still be another couple of weeks, but to confirm so far...

Elphaba: Pippa Grandison
Galinda: Lucy Durack
Boq: Anthony Callea
Wizard: Rob Guest

I haven't heard any other confirmations except Liz Styles and Suzie Mathers (2007 WAAPA Graduates) are covers for Galinda

[Urban]

Posted: 1/28/08 at 2:23am

brettystar - you say Anthony Callea would be wasted on Boq, but by the same token Sharon Millerchip would be a complete waste on Nessarose.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 1/28/08 at 2:45am

I hear that Maggie as Morrible is also a done deal.

Sylvie Palladino is wonderful and should be a household name in this country, but sadly is not and that is a major shame.

I am still at a loss over the AC casting he is uninteresting tatlentless and really should have stayed a unknown. Thats the only casting i hope is wrong. I would rather have Rob Mills and Pauline in the cast.

As always this just imo!!

[Kaz2]

Posted: 1/28/08 at 4:04am

I saw Anthony in Rent and was pleasantly surprised by his acting. I do agree though that he'd be best suited to a role requiring a big sing rather than a big act as his voice is obviously his strength.

I agree that Sylvie Paladino is a great talent and I'd be happy to see her in the role of Elphaba. I keep seeing Amanda Harrison's name as rumoured to have got this role rather than Pippa Grandison though.

Please don't let Rob Mills be cast as Fiyero, or anything for that matter.

[Urban]

Posted: 1/28/08 at 4:22am

I would hope the 'Wicked' namebrand would be strong enough to avoid stunt casting (similar to how 'Spamalot' and 'Miss Saigon' where both refreshingly full of quality actors instead of stunt cast actors/singers).

Saying that... at least they are not trying to stunt cast Marina Pyror or Magna Szubanski into any of the roles!

[alterego]

Posted: 1/28/08 at 8:08am

Rob Guest...please no.