A Wickedly Wonderful Return to OZ - Straight from the Shore!

WICKED the Musical flies into Auckland’s SkyCity Theatre in February for a strictly limited season of unmissable musical theatre magic!

North Shore Music Theatre are excited to share this ‘swankified’ production with Auckland audiences, with a 40-strong cast of local talent taking you on a bewitching journey back to the magical land of Oz - home of the yellow brick road, munchkins, and the Wicked Witch of the West.

As one of the most popular and longest-running musicals in Broadway history, WICKED tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two wily young witches who first meet as sorcery students: the blonde and “very very popular” Glinda and a misunderstood green girl named Elphaba. Along their extraordinary adventures in Oz, we’ll discover everything that happened before Dorothy dropped in to don those ruby slippers, and find that some of our favourite Ozians are a little less, or maybe a little more, wicked than we initially thought.

The show is presented by North Shore Music Theatre, who are at the heart of community theatre on the North Shore. The talented team are passionate about providing outstanding entertainment, including substantial high quality productions, performed by local talent. After lockdowns dashed plans to stage the show in 2020, and again in 20201, North Shore Music Theatre are positively charmed to have the chance to bring this world-class production to Auckland, and to be able to provide their community with the opportunity to experience the magic of WICKED.

The outstanding ensemble includes New Zealand’s queen of Musical Theatre, Tina Cross, starring as Madame Morrible. Assuming a maternal mentorship role to our young heroines that soon becomes malevolent, it’s a chance for the iconic performer to showcase her talents in a production beloved by so many:

“WICKED is a production that's visually spectacular in every way – nobody misses that, or the unforgettable songs like Defying Gravity, but at its heart, there are positive messages throughout that touch everyone… On another note, I’m excited to be finally playing a character who is around my own age! I’m looking forward to stepping into Madame Morrible’s shoes.” - Tina Cross, ONZM.

Director Alexandra McKellar has been involved in the performing arts her whole life, as growing up in a theatrical family set her path from a very young age. Alexandra graduated with a musical theatre degree from NASDA and has been working in all areas of the industry since, including launching Cyclorama Pre-Professional Development last year with her friend and WICKED choreographer Gemma Boswell to focus on training emerging young professionals in all aspects of the arts. A teacher at Albany Senior High, Alexandra first became involved with NSMT as a performer in the show “The World Goes Round” in 2014. Tina Cross was a fellow performer in that show. She has  worked for them as a director, performer and committee member (president) ever since.

“WICKED is the show that shaped my life's direction. It made me want to do musical theatre and have it as the driving force for my life. It was a dream come true to get to direct the show. I got a WICKED tattoo a few months ago - it means that much to me!” - Alexandra McKellar, Director.

SkyCity is set to come to life as The Emerald City, Oz’s bejeweled capital, with the whole precinct lighting up in a bewitchingly green spirit, complete with hospitality options to keep the whole family entertained. This will be the company’s first time back to the precinct since their 2014 production of Hairspray, and well worth the trip over the bridge!

No lions, tigers or bears here - just the best of our local talent presenting world-class entertainment in the heart of Auckland’s Central City. Whether you’re mad about musical theatre, wild about witches or just love a great night out, one thing’s for sure - you’ll be seeing green if you miss out on this bewitching experience.

North Shore Music Theatre presents The Barfoot & Thompson Season of WICKED the Musical 4th -26th February, 2022 at SkyCity Theatre, Cnr Hobson Street & Wellesley Street West, Auckland Central.

Shows: 7:30pm Wednesday - Saturday, as well as 1pm Saturday & 4pm Sunday matinées. Tickets: $39 - $79, selling quickly at iticket.co.nz, or call 0508 ITICKET. Learn more about the production at www.wickedauckland.co.nz


Issue 126 December-January 2021