With no shortage of talent to choose from, Bendigo Theatre Company's creative team was tasked with a tough job when deciding the cast of its upcoming production of the hit musical Wicked.
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But after two weeks of auditions, callbacks and deliberations, they have finalised their list of actors, singers and dancers.
"We're pretty happy with the cast members we've secured," BTC president and Wicked production manager Abe Watson said.
Former Bendigonian Melissa Harrington has scored the lead role of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West.
She will return to the Bendigo stage later this year for the first time since 2015, having last performed in the city when Mr Watson independently produced the musical [title of show].
Her last BTC show was 10 years ago when the company put on the Elvis Presley-soundtracked musical All Shook Up.
Joining her on stage is the Melbourne-based Annabelle Heslop as the Good Witch, Glinda.
Mr Watson said much of the final decisions came down to the chemistry between the prospective cast members and how their voices complemented one another.
"All of the girls in the room for those two roles are extremely talented," he said.
Mr Watson said the remaining cast members were mostly from Bendigo, with some having recently moved away.
Kody Austin will star as Fiyero, Cedar-Rosie Russell as Nessarose, and Liam Brown as Boq.
The role of the Wizard will be filled by Conor Cunningham, Claire Sexton will appear as Madame Morrible, and Daniel Sexton as Daniel Dillamond.
A further 26 creatives round out the dance, acting and singing, and male ensembles (for a full list, see below).
Mr Watson described the production of Wicked as probably the biggest show BTC had ever produced.
The company is performing in Ulumbarra and will double its usual run of shows from five to 10.
With the cast now finalised, the cast and crew are looking ahead to months of rehearsals and preparations before hitting the stage in late October.
Mr Watson said the team wanted to ensure they put on a top-quality production for local audiences.
The team had to put in a lot of work before scoring the rights to the musical, he said, to ensure it was viable.
"We were absolutely rapt and thrilled," he said of securing the rights.
Wicked tells the story of the witches of Oz, before and after Dorothy and her dog Toto came on the scene.
Tickets are available through Capital Venues and Events.
Full cast of Bendigo's production of Wicked
- Elphaba - Melissa Harrington
- Glinda - Annabelle Heslop
- Fiyero - Kody Austin
- Nessarose - Cedar-Rosie Russell
- Boq - Liam Brown
- The Wizard - Conor Cunningham
- Madame Morrible - Claire Sexton
- Doctor Dillamond - Daniel Sexton
Dance Ensemble
- Taylah Chisholm
- Kaddison Kearin
- Jennifer Rae McClean
- Kelsey Oberin
- Julia Wellard
- Erin Taylor
- Maddeline Jackson
- Georgia Campbell
- Kristen Gleeson
- Laura Freeman
- Inika Reinhardt
- Bridget Nally
Acting/Singing Ensemble
- Sian Fowler
- Jordan Hobbs
- Erin Mannix
- Olivia Ryan
- Madilyn Tyzzer
- Charlee Harris
- Jessica Hill
- Erin Collins
Male Ensemble
- Jakoby Appleby
- Connor Cantwell
- Zachary Fitzpatrick
- Jordan Gleeson
- Mason Hingston
- Thomas Moore
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