WICKED Performance Raises $80,000 Plus to Support beyondblue

A cheque for almost $83,000 was presented to beyondblue at the final dress rehearsal performance of WICKED on May 4, 2014 at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre.

The hit Broadway musical is beyondblue’s official charity partner and donated the full takings of the sold out performance to help raise awareness of depression and anxiety.

beyondblue CEO Kate Carnell said the donation would go towards continuing beyondblue’s work reducing stigma and encouraging people to take action to get help for depression and anxiety.

“This has been a hugely successful partnership, with all tickets sold in a matter of weeks and extra tickets released to meet demand,” she said.

“We are very thankful to WICKED for generously donating the proceeds of ticket sales and are proud that this award-winning smash hit musical is our arts partner.”

The donation was made possible thanks to the Marriner Theatre Group, Ticketmaster and the WICKED Company.

“We are also grateful for the opportunity to deliver our messages about depression and anxiety to theatre enthusiasts, and remind them our Support Service is available 24/7 for people with these conditions and their families.

“At any one time, a million people in Australia have depression and two million have anxiety, so it is highly likely everyone will know someone who has been affected. This partnership has enabled beyondblue to reach theatre goers, in the same way we promote mental health awareness at sports events, in schools and in workplaces.”

This 10th Anniversary tour of “Broadway’s biggest blockbuster” (The New York Times) stars Lucy Durack as Glinda and Jemma Rix as Elphaba, with Reg Livermoreas The Wizard. Joining the WICKED Company in his first musical theatre leading role is Steve Danielsen as Fiyero, while Maggie Kirkpatrick returns as Madame Morrible. The role of Dr Dillamond is played by Nathan Carter, Nessarose is played by newcomer Emily Cascarino, while Edward Grey plays Boq.

beyondblue information is also being distributed via the WICKED Education Program. Over the last 10 years, hundreds of thousands of students from around the world have experienced and learnt from the important messages in the story that is WICKED and the Education Program will continue on this path.

WICKED inspires discussion about friendship, accepting differences, personal values and the consequence of choices. Within the show there are themes about bullying and WICKED recognises that bullying can be a factor in people developing symptoms of depression and anxiety.

For more information on beyondblue go to www.beyondblue.org.au

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