After much uncertainty following the cancellation of the sold out May performances at Redland Performing Arts Centre (RPAC), the Cast, Band and Crew of the Australian School of the Art’s production of “Wicked the Musical” were thrilled to finally bring the show to the stage, in a QLD Health approved COVID-Safe format.

According to Musical Director, Mr Darren Harvey, the 2020 Musical journey was a relentless test of resolve to bring the beautiful story of Wicked to fruition. Mr Harvey recalls that on the evening of what should have been Opening Night in May, he received a virtual card from the Year 12 students in the Cast and Band, wishing him a Happy Virtual Opening Night. Along with a personalised message of encouragement, the card read “Fellow Ozians, the only way to stick together is to be apart, for now. But remember, this is #onlyintermission and everyone loves a second act that changes you for good”.

“To say I was proud is an understatement,” stated Mr Harvey.

“These incredible students, who have had so much taken from them in their final year of school, took the time to thank and encourage each member of the Production Team, at a time when nothing seemed at all certain in their own worlds.”

“The internal fortitude it has taken to continue to be passionate, work for and believe in something over the past few months, when the whole world was telling them they were crazy, has been nothing short of inspirational. These students are a living example of the old adage that the show must go on and we as adults have much to learn from them,” Mr Harvey added.

The Senior College Musical is one of the major events in the College calendar each year and in the words of one Musical Parent, Grant Mather, it “embodies the culture of the College”. The College’s unwavering determination to give students the opportunity to perform the 2020 Musical, despite the circumstances, provided a sense of normality in a not so normal time.

Wicked the Musical was the Australian School of the Arts’ (ASTA) 21^st annual Senior College Musical and boasted more than 120 students making up the Cast, Band, Backstage and Technical Crews, all utilising their special talents to make this show a Wicked one. Student performances, both on stage and in the Band, were remarkable, bearing testament to the depth and breadth of the Arts Program at Sheldon College.

The standard of acting was second-to-none, supported by incredible music from the vocalists and of course, the Band, whom successfully and immaculately perfected the full Broadway score.

The Sheldon Event Centre was transformed into an intimate venue, with extended stage and pods of socially distanced seating. Impressive sets, sensational costumes and high-tech lighting all combined to create an intimate and captivating experience for the capacity audiences, making this year’s show certainly one to remember.

Congratulations to all the staff, students and volunteers involved in the production of Wicked the Musical. It was an outstanding spectacle that captivated all in attendance.

Auditions are now under way for the The Australian School of the Arts’ 2021 Senior College Musical, Les Miserables School Edition, with record numbers of students from Years 8 to 12 vying for selection as members of the Band and Cast of this iconic Musical.