New Zealand-born star of stage, television and screen, JAY LAGA’AIA, is today confirmed to play The Wizard of Oz in the Auckland season of WICKED – the Broadway musical blockbuster coming to New Zealand in September.
Jay – known for his roles as Captain Typho in the films Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith – has had a long and illustrious career that includes roles in television shows such as Water Rats, Play School, McLeod’s Daughters, Xena: Warrior Princess, All Saints, Home and Away and Street Legal.
He is also known for his stage productions such as The Lion King in which he played Mufasa and for playing Judas in the New Zealand production of Jesus Christ Superstar.
The role of The Wizard of Oz is a pivotal one in Wicked. It has been performed by television personality Bert Newton for the past few years after the sudden death of New Zealand star Rob Guest in 2008.
“To be able to come home with a show that is absolutely awe-inspiring is something that this prodigal son could only dream about. My biggest fear is not The Wizard but the amount of ticket requests from family and friends! Maybe Glinda or Elphaba could whip up a spell for me.”
WICKED plays at The Civic in Auckland from 17th September 2013 – the first stop on its 10th anniversary celebration tour – and will run for a strictly limited season.
Tickets go on sale Monday 8th April from buytickets.co.nz or phone 0800 BUY TICKETS (0800 289 842) or ticketmaster.co.nz (09 970 9700). For groups of 12 or more,
call 09 357 3360 and for premium packages visit showbiznz.co.nz
Jemma Rix – who has toured Australia and Asia as Elphaba – will reprise her role as the green witch and Suzie Mathers – with 300 performances in Singapore and Korea to her credit – returns to the role of Glinda, the good.
WICKED is “one of the most successful shows in Broadway history” (The New York Times) and now it is Auckland’s turn to be enchanted by the award-winning hit musical, before Australia is reacquainted with the magic of WICKED.
When WICKED opened on Broadway, it worked its magic on critics and audiences alike. Winner of 35 major awards including a Grammy® and three Tony Awards® , WICKED is the untold story of the witches of Oz. Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the Land of Oz, one born with emerald green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. WICKED tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.
“The defining musical of the decade.” The New York Times
