The production opened in August, at the Sydney Lyric.
‘Wicked’ is an original musical and winner of more than 100 awards including a Grammy Award, an Olivier Award, six Helpmann Awards, six Drama Desk Awards and three Tony Awards. It is as popular today as it was 20 years ago when it premiered.
The musical has played in 16 countries around the world.
Long before Dorothy dropped in, two other young women meet in the land of Oz. One born with emerald-green skin (Elphaba, played by Sheridan Adams) is smart, fiery, misunderstood and possessing an extraordinary talent.
The other (Glinda, played by Courtney Monsma) is bubbly, blonde, ambitious and exceptionally popular. They become rivals, then friends. . . Until the world decides to call one 'good' and the other one 'wicked'.
'Wicked' features huge musical moments and ensemble dance numbers, as well as smaller-scale, more intimate pieces. It's Dance Captain Jackson Reedman's role to make sure each and every dance performance in the show is up to standard, to ensure the most dynamic and entertaining performance possible.
Jackson was most recently a part of the 50th anniversary production of Richard O'Brien's 'The Rocky Horror Show' as Ensemble/Dance Captain.
Here, we chat to Jackson about his time so far as Dance Captain 'Wicked', about 'Wicked''s impact on queer audiences, and the show's main themes.
First of all, tell us a bit about where your involvement in ‘Wicked’ began!
I first saw the show back in 2009 in the original Australian opening season in Melbourne at the Regent Theatre and immediately fell in love. I was cast in the new Australian tour at the beginning of this year and began pre-production preparation from then.
As Dance Captain, what’s your biggest challenge and your biggest reward?
Biggest challenge at being a dance captain would be juggling all parts of the job at the same time; making sure the show is taken care of day to day, cast changes, rehearsals, checking in with other departments/ company members etc. But the biggest reward is knowing that I am a part of helping the bigger picture, it takes a village to run a show of this size so it’s very special to be even just a small part in that.
And where did your interest in dance in general come from – what inspired you to get into it?
I started dance at the age of four after my sister started dancing the year prior. It wasn’t until my early teen years that I really started to consider it as a career after starting to see musicals with my family.
Were there any queer figures in your life in general (be it celebrity or otherwise) who really spoke to you growing up?
Judy Garland hands down. From the age of six I fell in love with Judy and I researched every performance, show, movie and interview there was of her. Her raw talent and the way she commands a stage is mesmerising, she was such a beacon of light.
What advice would you give to a young queer person who has dreams of making it in theatre and isn’t sure where to begin?
Learn as much as you can in all aspects of performing, whether that's going to dance classes, singing lessons, learning the history of theatre. Just keep going until the dream happens, a lot of us say it’s preparation met with luck.
You’ve come straight out of ‘Rocky Horror’. What was that experience like?
'The Rocky Horror Show' was such a brilliant experience working with some amazing cast and creatives. I got to be Dance Captain as well as understudy some of the lead roles which was a big learning experience for me. The fanbase with that show is so strong and you can see why, as the show not only is pure rock and roll with lots of queer themes, but it also has a big heart.
‘Wicked’ is an iconic story at this point. What do you love so much about it?
No matter what age you are, your values or your interests, I believe you can resonate with this story. It is filled with so much heart, exploring the idea of not judging a book by its cover and true friendship. It’s also a beautiful spectacle to the eye that leaves audience members mesmerised.
What’s your favourite routine in the show?
I would have to say my favourite routine from the show would be 'Dancing Through Life' into 'OzDust Ballroom'. It’s an amazing part of the story with dance leading the narrative. Not only do you get to perform such iconic choreography by Wayne Cilento that oozes with style, but you also get to be a part of the narrative of two unlikely people becoming friends.
Why do you think it’s particularly resonant with a queer audience?
The leads are two strong female characters that explore the power of love and friendship over adversity. I think a queer audience can relate to that if they have ever felt different, I myself growing up in a coastal town where being queer wasn’t the norm can relate.
What do you think is the main message and take home of ‘Wicked’?
That acceptance, tolerance and love is still so needed in the world today and I believe 'Wicked' showcases this so beautifully.
'Wicked The Musical' is now playing at Sydney Lyric Theatre until 21 January.
