MEET AUSTRALIA’S NEW DOROTHY AND THE CAST OF THE WIZARD OF OZ ARENA SPECTACULAR - NEWCASTLE DEBUT
Announcement posted by Thurnham Teece 06 Dec 2018
MEET AUSTRALIA’S NEW DOROTHY AND THE CAST OF THE WIZARD OF OZ ARENA SPECTACULAR.
After an exhaustive nationwide search, newcomer Carly Bettinson has scored the coveted role of Dorothy in THE WIZARD OF OZ - ARENA SPECTACULAR, which is set to tour Australia in 2019.
At 19 years of age, Carly is a recent graduate of the Brisbane Academy of Musical Theatre (BAMT). Growing up in Brisbane, Carly started out as an audience member attending Harvest Rain shows, and that's where her love of theatre first blossomed.
"I think it was always a dream in the back of my mind to be in the cast of a Harvest Rain show one day", says Carly.
She's no stranger to arena productions, having performed last year as part of the mass ensemble in GREASE - THE ARENA EXPERIENCE. "I was just pinching myself the whole time that I got to be part of such a huge production. I never dreamed that a year later I'd be leading the principal cast of a major arena show. It really is a dream come true!"
Just like GREASE, this new arena production of THE WIZARD OF OZ will feature a large mass ensemble of over 500 young performers who will play Munchkins, Poppies, Emerald City Citizens, Winkie and Jitterbugs throughout the show.
Joining Carly on her journey down the Yellow Brick Road will be Chris Geoghegan in the role of Scarecrow, Michael Nunn as the Tinman and Josh Whitten as the Lion.
Aurelie Roque will play Glinda the Good Witch, and Bil Heit will strike fear in the hearts of children all over Oz when she plays the role of the Wicked Witch of the West.
Rounding out the principal cast will be Matty Johnston, Zane Powell, Joanna Nash, Bethany Wilson, Kamara Henricks alongside a large mass ensemble of over 500 young performers who will play Munchkins, Poppies, Emerald City Citizens, Winkie and Jitterbugs throughout the show.
This all-new arena production will be directed by Tim O'Connor and choreographed by Callum Mansfield, with Music Direction by Dennett Hudson, Set Design by Frances Hannaway, Sound Design by John Taylor and Lighting Design by Trudy Dalgleish. Illustrations by Elizabeth Botteand Animations by Optikal Bloc.
Says Director Tim O'Connor "Our vision for this production is quite different to the Oz we've seen on stage before. The original 1939 film is one of my favourite movies of all time, but we don't just want to replicate the movie on stage. Playing in the arena gives us the chance to full re-imagine the land of Oz, so our interpretation is a bit grungier and more moody, a little less pantomime and little more steampunk. The technology we're using to bring Oz to life for this production is state-of-the-art and totally breathtaking. There's 9-metre tall LED screens wrapping around the entire set playing wall-to-wall animations throughout the whole show so we really will feel transported into the fantastical land of Oz."
THE WIZARD OF OZ - ARENA SPECTACULAR opens at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre in April 2019, before heading to Brisbane Entertainment Centre in July 2019, Adelaide Entertainment Centre in October 2019 and Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney in January 2020. More cities to be announced soon.
THE WIZARD OF OZ ARENA SPECTACULAR
Directed by Tim O'Connor
Choreographed by Callum Mansfield
Music Direction by Dennett Hudson,
Set Design by Frances Hannaway,
Sound Design by John Taylor
Lighting Design by Trudy Dalgleish
Illustrations by Elizabeth Botte
Animations by Optikal Bloc.
Newcastle Entertainment Centre
During April School Holidays
26th – 27th April 2019
Tickets from $39
www.ticketek.com.au
www.wizardofozarena.com
After an exhaustive nationwide search, newcomer Carly Bettinson has scored the coveted role of Dorothy in THE WIZARD OF OZ - ARENA SPECTACULAR, which is set to tour Australia in 2019.
At 19 years of age, Carly is a recent graduate of the Brisbane Academy of Musical Theatre (BAMT). Growing up in Brisbane, Carly started out as an audience member attending Harvest Rain shows, and that's where her love of theatre first blossomed.
"I think it was always a dream in the back of my mind to be in the cast of a Harvest Rain show one day", says Carly.
She's no stranger to arena productions, having performed last year as part of the mass ensemble in GREASE - THE ARENA EXPERIENCE. "I was just pinching myself the whole time that I got to be part of such a huge production. I never dreamed that a year later I'd be leading the principal cast of a major arena show. It really is a dream come true!"
Just like GREASE, this new arena production of THE WIZARD OF OZ will feature a large mass ensemble of over 500 young performers who will play Munchkins, Poppies, Emerald City Citizens, Winkie and Jitterbugs throughout the show.
Joining Carly on her journey down the Yellow Brick Road will be Chris Geoghegan in the role of Scarecrow, Michael Nunn as the Tinman and Josh Whitten as the Lion.
Aurelie Roque will play Glinda the Good Witch, and Bil Heit will strike fear in the hearts of children all over Oz when she plays the role of the Wicked Witch of the West.
Rounding out the principal cast will be Matty Johnston, Zane Powell, Joanna Nash, Bethany Wilson, Kamara Henricks alongside a large mass ensemble of over 500 young performers who will play Munchkins, Poppies, Emerald City Citizens, Winkie and Jitterbugs throughout the show.
This all-new arena production will be directed by Tim O'Connor and choreographed by Callum Mansfield, with Music Direction by Dennett Hudson, Set Design by Frances Hannaway, Sound Design by John Taylor and Lighting Design by Trudy Dalgleish. Illustrations by Elizabeth Botteand Animations by Optikal Bloc.
Says Director Tim O'Connor "Our vision for this production is quite different to the Oz we've seen on stage before. The original 1939 film is one of my favourite movies of all time, but we don't just want to replicate the movie on stage. Playing in the arena gives us the chance to full re-imagine the land of Oz, so our interpretation is a bit grungier and more moody, a little less pantomime and little more steampunk. The technology we're using to bring Oz to life for this production is state-of-the-art and totally breathtaking. There's 9-metre tall LED screens wrapping around the entire set playing wall-to-wall animations throughout the whole show so we really will feel transported into the fantastical land of Oz."
THE WIZARD OF OZ - ARENA SPECTACULAR opens at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre in April 2019, before heading to Brisbane Entertainment Centre in July 2019, Adelaide Entertainment Centre in October 2019 and Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney in January 2020. More cities to be announced soon.
THE WIZARD OF OZ ARENA SPECTACULAR
Directed by Tim O'Connor
Choreographed by Callum Mansfield
Music Direction by Dennett Hudson,
Set Design by Frances Hannaway,
Sound Design by John Taylor
Lighting Design by Trudy Dalgleish
Illustrations by Elizabeth Botte
Animations by Optikal Bloc.
Newcastle Entertainment Centre
During April School Holidays
26th – 27th April 2019
Tickets from $39
www.ticketek.com.au
www.wizardofozarena.com