Renowned Australian production company, Matt Ward Entertainment, has announced today it will stage the worldwide musical phenomenon, WICKED, hot on the heels of casting the stellar lead cast.
Co-presented by HOTA, Home of the Arts this exciting rendition of WICKED will showcase a talented line up this June, telling the beloved tale of the extraordinary adventures in Oz and a profound friendship between Glinda The Good Witch and Elphaba, The Wicked Witch of the West.
After a nationwide search to cast the leading ladies, Emily Monsma, a Gold Coast local and graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, will play Glinda (The Good Witch) and seasoned performer, Samantha Dodemaide, finds her way back to Oz after her breakthrough role as ‘Dorothy’ in the Australian tour of THE WIZARD OF OZ, starring as Elphaba (The Wicked Witch of the West).
Producer Matt Ward said the casting of ‘Glinda’ and ‘Elphaba’ was a critical piece of the production, and both Emily and Samantha will join a talented crew of key professionals engaged to stage this muchloved production.
“WICKED holds a place in so many hearts worldwide and we are beyond thrilled to be bringing this calibre of a production to the Gold Coast and giving audiences a level of performance that hasn’t been seen before.”
“After months of searching the country, we are excited to cast our lead roles who will flourish in their on-stage personas, and who will work alongside some of the industry’s best with our highly professional and experienced team,” he said.
Having performed in over 30 local productions and most recently wrapped a two-year run as ‘Marty’ in GREASE THE ARENA EXPERIENCE, Emily Monsma brings a wealth of experience to the stage alongside her counterpart who is also no shadow to the spotlight.
Samantha Dodemaide currently performs in the Australian production of EVITA as an understudy to Tina Arena, cast as ‘Eva Peron’, and has played numerous other title roles prior to heading down the yellow brick road, such as in the Australian-Japanese tour of SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN and the production of VIOLET, proving her star is on the rise.
In addition, over 30 performers will be cast for various roles in the iconic production over the coming weeks, with auditions taking place at HOTA on February 15-17.
WICKED will be directed by Tim Hill (RENT, Mary Poppins, Into The Woods, FAME The Musical), with set design by Maria-Rose Payne (THOR, Aquaman, RENT), and digital design by local Gold Coast company, IKONIX.
Matt said that it was his focus to produce an exceptional standard of show for the Gold Coast that brings to life the story and is why he partnered with HOTA to present WICKED later this year (25 June – 6 July).
“At its core, WICKED tells the untold story about the unlikely but profound friendship between two young women who first meet as sorcery students and take very different paths to fulfil their destinies,” said Matt. “It resonates and is filled with such a wealth of great songs and magical characters.”
“I’d encourage any fan, or for those who have yet to experience the wonder of WICKED, to secure their tickets early – the magic is just beginning.”
WICKED
25 June – 6 July 2019
HOTA, Home of the Arts – Gold Coast
hota.com.au
