HUNKY HARRIS TO PLAY FIYERO IN WICKED

Musical theatre star David Harris will be joining the hit musical WICKED in the role of Fiyero for the 2011 national tour, WICKED Australia Co-Producer John Frost announced today.
Since being awarded a MO Award for Best New Talent in 1997, David Harris has become one of Australia’s leading men of musical theatre. He has starred in many of Australia’s top musical productions such as Miss Saigon (Helpmann Award and Sydney Theatre Award nomination), The Full Monty, Mamma Mia!, The Boy From Oz, Fiddler On The Roof and Damn Yankees to name just a few.
At this year’s Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Harris premiered his solo show, ‘Til The Night Is Gone to sell-out audiences, and performed with Stephen Schwartz as part of Stephen Schwartz & Friends. Concert engagements include performances with UK musical theatre star Michael Ball on his Australian tour and a series of concerts with Australian leading lady, Marina Prior. He was also invited to sing at the opening celebration of Hong Kong Disneyland.
“David will make a wonderful Fiyero,” said John Frost. “He has proven himself to be the foremost leading man of his generation in musical theatre, with an impressive list of roles. He commands the stage with his warmth, charisma and charm, and acts with truthfulness and intensity. His powerful voice can convey great emotion, and he dances magnificently. David is a true ‘triple threat’. I can’t wait to see him on stage with Lucy Durack (as Glinda the Good) and Jemma Rix (as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West).”
Harris is very excited to join the cast of WICKED. “Ever since I saw WICKED, I’ve wanted to be a part of this astonishing show. It’s one of those rare shows that has wide appeal, but also has something important to say. Fiyero goes on a fascinating journey throughout the show, and I feel very honoured to be cast in the role. I can’t wait to join the amazingly talented cast in the rehearsal room.”
WICKED, starring Lucy Durack, Jemma Rix, Bert Newton, Maggie Kirkpatrick and David Harris opens in Brisbane on January 11, before playing in Adelaide from April 15 and Perth from June 19.
DAVID HARRIS
Since being awarded a MO Award for Best New Talent in 1997, David has become one of Australia’s leading men of musical theatre. His credits include: Chris in Miss Saigon (Helpmann and Sydney Theatre Award nominations for Best Actor in a Musical); John Brookes in Little Women; Perchik in Fiddler On The Roof; Malcolm in The Full Monty; Bud in Gutenberg!-The Musical; Breast Wishes; LOVEBiTES, (GLUG Award for Best Actor in a Musical), and the national tours of The Boy from Oz and Mamma Mia!
For The Production Company, David has performed the roles of Prez in Pajama Game; Joe Hardy in Damn Yankees; Gilliam in Camelot; Jimmy Smith in Thoroughly Modern Millie; and Greg in the return of The Boy From Oz.
At this year’s Adelaide Cabaret Festival, David premiered his solo show, ‘Til The Night Is Gone to sell-out audiences. In addition he performed with Stephen Schwartz as part of Stephen Schwartz & Friends. In previous years he worked with Andrew Lippa (John & Jen and The Wild Party), and Richard Maltby Jnr & David Shire on their new musical Take Flight.
Concert engagements include performances with UK musical theatre star Michael Ball on his Australian tour and a series of concerts with Australian leading lady, Marina Prior. He was also invited to sing at the opening celebration of Hong Kong Disneyland.
David’s television and film credits include Rescue Special Ops, Blue Heelers, Neighbours, South Pacific starring Glenn Close and Harry Connick Jnr and soon will appear in the film Eye of the Storm starring Geoffrey Rush.
Later this year David will perform with international performer Lea Salonga in Vietnam.
David features on the cast recording of LOVEBites and The Boy from Oz and last year released his debut solo album, ‘Til The Night Is Gone.
“David Harris, one of Australia’s leading performers in musical theatre, in the role of Chris (in Miss Saigon) was simply electric. Not only can this man sing but he can act – a combination so often lacking in musical theatre performers where often one talent is so much stronger than the other. Harris brings a real masculine strength to the role which wins the hearts of the audience right from the start” – ABC Radio Brisbane
“The pairing of lovely-looking, soaring soprano Cadevida and handsome, clarion-voiced Harris (in Miss Saigon) works wonders…” – Variety
“Incredible Australian talent” – Adelaide Advertiser
“Harris reveals a vibrant flair for comedy and an appealingly adaptable voice” – Sydney Morning Herald
“David Harris is a performer of stature” – Stagenoise
“Harris is the perfect, muscular golden boy Joe Hardy (in Damn Yankees). He blends naivety, honesty and ambition and his voice has warmth and emotional quality.” – Herald Sun
www.david-harris.com.au