Meet the Cast of #WickedManila

WICKEDLY CHARMING Steve Danielsen, Jemma Rix, Suzie Mathers and Jay Laga'aia. 

Image courtesy of Fashion PULIS

 Elphaba

 Fiyero

 Glinda

The Wizard
Images courtesy of Concertus Manila

Filipinos embrace the Broadway hit currently running at the CCP Main Theatre

2012 and 2013 were big years for Philippine theater, for both local and foreign productions. The plays and musicals ranged from stage versions of hit films (like Atlantis Productions’ “Rock of Ages”), to original Filipino musicals (like Spotlight Artist Centre’s “Katy! The Musical”), to Broadway hits and their foreign companies (like Concertus Manila’s “Phantom of the Opera”).

The diversity of choices offered something for every Filipino. Most importantly, the love and support for theater and stage among the Filipino audience, young and old, seemed to have been revived. The first quarter of 2014 already sees a big hit in Concertus Manila’s “Wicked,” a musical about the friendship between Elphaba and Glinda, the two witches of Oz, before the story of “The Wizard of Oz” unfolded as we know it.

“Wicked” started running at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theatre last January 22. The season will end on March 9. Last January 31, the company decided to stage a show solely for the benefit of #YolandaPH survivors. An auction of amazing, once in a lifetime prizes is ongoing at Ticketworld.

The press met the cast in a preview last January 23. It wasn’t hard to see that part of the charm is not just the story and the musical’s reputation, but also its cast.

Here are the main cast members you’ll meet in “Wicked”:

Steve Danielsen as Fiyero, the love interest of Elphaba and Glinda

Steve began his career as a screen actor in 2004. He has appeared on film and television projects such as “Queen of the Damned,” “Neighbours” and “Marshall Law,” among others. He is a newcomer in theater and stage, having trained with Tim Smith, Neil Semer and Broadway Dance Centre. His other theater credits include “Legally Blonde the Musical” and “Xanadu the Musical.”

Jay Laga’aia as The Wizard

Jay is a veteran in the entertainment industry. He appeared in the films “Nim’s Island,” “Daybreakers” and “Star Wars Ep 1 and 2.” He began in theater in 1984 at the renowned Mercury Theatre in Auckland (New Zealand). Jay is remembered for his performances in “Jesus Christ Superstar” (as Judas), “Disney’s The Lion King” (as Mufasa), “Sweet Charity,” “West Side Story” and “The Rocky Horror Show.” He is a father of 8 and is of Samoan descent. His Samoan name is, in fact, Manila.

Suzie Mathers as Glinda the Good

Suzie was born in Scotland and raised in Australia. She graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in 2007 with a degree in Music Theatre. Suzie was an original company member in the Australian premiere season of “Wicked” in Melbourne. She also played Sophie Sheridan in the 10^th anniversary Australian tour of “Mamma Mia!” Suzie comes to Manila fresh from stints in Singapore and Korea, where she did over 300 performances. She is also active on social media (@suziemathers on Twitter and Instagram).

Jemma Rix as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch

Jemma has loved performing since she was a child in New South Wales, Australia. At 21, she pursued this dream, and worked with Universal Studios in Osaka, Japan as the Bride of Frankenstein in The Monster Rock and Roll Show. This was also where she first played Elphaba, working with “Wicked’s” creative team: Stephen Schwartz, Winnie Holzman and Marc Platt. Back then, Jemma had to perform some parts of the musical in Japanese. Jemma has been playing Elphaba since 2008. She has done more than 800 shows and counting.

Other members of the “Wicked” cast are Emily Cascarino as Nessarose, Maggie Kirkpatrick as Madame Morrible, Edward Grey as Boq, Nathan Carter as Dr Dillamond. Karen Johnson Mortimer is resident director and Kellie Dickerson is resident musical supervisor.

For ticket information, visit Ticketworld (https://www.ticketworld.com.ph/Online/) or call 891-9999. For show updates, visit Concertus Manila’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ConcertusManila) and the #WickedManila website (http://www.wickedthemusical.com.ph/).