Crossroads Live, along with co-producers Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt, and David Stone, announced today the two rising stars set to take on the iconic roles of Elphaba and Glinda in the Australian production of WICKED. This announcement comes a few months ahead of the premiere of the new Australian tour, set to commence at the Sydney Lyric Theatre on 25 August 2023.
Sheridan Adams has been cast as Elphaba, the emerald-skinned girl who grows up to become the “Wicked Witch of the West,”. Adams, a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts, has previously performed in Tick, Tick… Boom! and Cruel Intentions: The 90’s Musical. This will be her first leading role. Opposite her will be Courtney Monsma portraying Glinda, the bubbly and popular girl who becomes “Glinda the Good.” Monsma, a Queensland Conservatorium alumna, is known for her roles in Six The Musical, Mamma Mia!, and the Australasian tour of Aladdin, as well as starring as Princess Anna in the Australian tour of Disney’s Frozen.
The producers expressed their excitement at casting the two talented performers. John Frost recalled being mesmerized by Adams’ rendition of “Defying Gravity” during her audition, while Monsma’s comedic abilities caught them by surpris:
When Sheridan auditioned for an ensemble role and we heard her sing Defying Gravity, we were mesmerised. When she sang Defying Gravity four times in a row, getting stronger each time, we immediately knew we had found our Elphaba,” said John Frost. “Courtney has proven to be an exciting performer in Frozen, Six and Aladdin, but we didn’t know how funny she could be until she blew us away during the auditions. We are so excited to have Australia’s two most electrifying new leading ladies play Elphaba and Glinda.
John Frost – Producer
Both Adams and Monsma are elated to be part of WICKED, being some of their earliest memories of musical theatre. Adams described Elphaba as her dream role, while Monsma recalled being captivated by The Wizard of Oz and WICKED from a young age, drawn to Glinda’s sparkle, gowns, and journey throughout the show.
WICKED is a very special show for so many people, including me. Elphaba has been my dream role since I was young. My first experience was on You Tube, watching Idina Menzel sing Defying Gravity, and I sang it all the time. Then my Mum bought me The Grimmerie, and I finally got to see the show when I was 16. This is a dream come true
Sheridan Adams – Actor
WICKED was one of the first professional shows I ever saw. I remember getting a ticket through my high school, and I was absolutely mesmerised. As a kid I was obsessed by The Wizard of Oz so having that connection it blew my mind. I’m so excited to be in WICKED; this is a dream come true. I’ve always loved the role of Glinda. The sparkle and the gowns drew me to her, but I think Glinda has a beautiful heart and I love the journey she gets to go on throughout the show.
Courtney Monsma – Actor
WICKED, which premiered on Broadway almost 20 years ago, continues to be a worldwide phenomenon. The production has won over 100 major awards, including the Grammy Award, the Olivier Award, six Helpmann Awards, three Tony Awards, and six Drama Desk Awards. The musical has been staged in 16 countries and translated into six languages, making it the fourth longest-running show in Broadway history, surpassing CATS.
Based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, WICKED has sold 5.5 million copies, with 5 million of those sales occurring since the musical’s debut in 2003. The story, set in the land of Oz, explores the relationship between two young women – one born with emerald-green skin and the other bubbly and popular – before they become the “Wicked Witch of the West” and “Glinda the Good”. Many have grown up following the story of The Wizard of Oz with its catchy tunes and iconic characters – but this tale shows that not everything is as it seems in Oz.
Biographies of the Newly Announced Cast Members of WICKED
SHERIDAN ADAMS (Elphaba)
Sheridan is a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts where she completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre). Whilst studying, Sheridan performed the role of Charlotte in Flora the Red Menace and was in the Ensemble in On the Town.
Since graduating, Sheridan appeared in the Australian premiere of Cruel Intentions (David Venn Enterprises). She is currently touring in the Australian premiere of Tick, Tick… Boom! (Storeyboard Entertainment). Sheridan has featured as a vocalist on Lindenfelzer and Newman’s Scarlet: The Concept Recording.
COURTNEY MONSMA (Glinda)
Courtney Monsma is most well-known for starring as Princess Anna in the recent Australian tour of Disney’s Frozen the Musical. She is currently filming the new Australian drama series Paper Dolls for Helium Pictures which is coming soon to Network 10 and 10 Play.
Other theatre highlights include the role of Katherine Howard in SIX The Musical presented by Michael Coppel, Louise Withers and Linda Bewick at the Sydney Opera House in 2020, the Australasian tour of Disney’s Aladdin covering the role of Princess Jasmine, the Australian 2017/2018 tour of Mamma Mia! presented by Michael Coppel, Louise Withers and Linda Bewick covering the role of Sophie, and Opera Queensland’s Kiss Me Kate.
Hailing from Queensland’s Gold Coast, Courtney has performed in concerts and live events across the local area from a young age and graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University with a Bachelor of Musical Theatre in 2017. At the Conservatorium, under the direction of Associate Professor Paul Sabey, Courtney appeared as Charity in Sweet Charity, Carmen in The Life and Maria in West Side Story. She also toured with the production of I Love You, You’re Perfect Now Change.
On screen Courtney has appeared in numerous short films including playing the title role in award winning short Dorothy, as well as appearances on Toasted TV for Network 10 and The Strip for Nine Network. Courtney released her debut album In The Light in 2022 which features some of her favourite and career moment songs as well as her original track The Light That You Are.
