Rob Guest who plays the Wizard in the Melbourne production of WICKED passed away this evening from a massive stroke, which he suffered last night on the show's night off. He was 57.
Anyone who works in theatre in this country knows of the enormous contribution Rob made to Australian theatre as star of Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera (for eight years), The Sound of Music, Jolson and many others. Everyone who works on Wicked in anyway, including myself, are in a state of shock. I'm sure the official news will be announced in a matter of hours, but I just need to express my sorrow and shock at the loss of this incredible, gifted, committed and wonderful performer. A great soul, and a legend of the Australian stage. Rest in Peace, Rob.
"I will join this conversation on the proviso that we stop bitching about people. Wigs, dresses, bust sizes, penises, nightclubs and bloody Kylie!" - Bernadette, Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical
A sudden and horrible tragedy. For those who don't know his work, Rob was one of Australia's most respected musical theatre veterans, having performed the role of The Phantom over 2000 times. Everyone in Australian Theatre will feel the blow, not just the cast of Wicked but the cast of every current, and past, production running who all have at some stage shared the stage with this talented individual.
Wait a sec! Was this the guy who was on the 10th Anniversary Concert video of Les Mis?
Butters, go buy World of Warcraft, install it on your computer, and join the online sensation before we all murder you.
--Cartman: South Park
ATTENTION FANS: I will be played by James Barbour in the upcoming musical, "BroadwayWorld: The Musical."
This is horrible. My prayers go out to his family. May he Rest in Peace.
2008: Feb. 18- Rent, Feb. 19- Curtains, April 18- Xanadu, April 22- Wicked, April 26- Legally Blonde, May 31- Wicked, June 13- The Little Mermaid, June 28- Wicked and Young Frankenstein, July 2- The Little Mermaid, July 6- A Chorus Line and Legally Blonde, August 16- Xanadu, September 13- Legally Blonde and 13, September 28- Xanadu and Spring Awakening, Oct. 12-GYPSY and [title of show], Oct. 19- Hairspray & Legally Blonde, Nov. 9- Wicked and 13, Dec. 14-13, Dec. 26- Billy Elliot, 2009: Jan 1- Shrek, Jan 2- 13 and Wicked, Jan 4- 13, Feb 17- In The Heights, Feb 19- Billy Elliot, Feb 22- Sweeney Todd (tour), March 28- Mary Poppins, April 4- Mamma Mia!, April 15- Jersey Boys (on tour), April 25- next to normal & 9 to 5
May 1- Billy Elliot, May 3- Spelling Bee (tour), May 8- Chicago, May 21- Wicked, June 6- Everyday Rapture, June 23- The Wiz, June 25- Hair July 15- Shrek, August 9- Wicked, September 7- Rock of Ages, October 11- Next To Normal, October 23- The Marvelous Wonderettes, November 7- Ragtime November 29- Dreamgirls, December 25- Billy Elliot, December 30- Finian's Rainbow, 2010: January 9- Bye Bye Birdie, January 16- Memphis February 17- The Phantom of The Opera, February 18- God of Carnage, March 7- Billy Elliot, March 31- American Idiot
"I don't see that many plays, and for me, musicals are rarely pleasing. I feel the actors are being put through a kind of nightmarish labor. They're like animals being forced to pull heavy carts of vegetables at incredible speeds." --- Wallace Shawn
Oh my God! This is terrible! Rest in peace, Rob Guest.
Butters, go buy World of Warcraft, install it on your computer, and join the online sensation before we all murder you.
--Cartman: South Park
ATTENTION FANS: I will be played by James Barbour in the upcoming musical, "BroadwayWorld: The Musical."
With Marina Prior in The Original Australian Production Of Phantom
Well I didn't want to get into it, but he's a Satanist.
Every full moon he sacrifices 4 puppies to the Dark Lord and smears their blood on his paino.
This should help you understand the score for Wicked a little bit more.
Tazber's: Reply to
Is Stephen Schwartz a Practicing Christian
I actually only meet Rob 2 weeks ago when I saw Wicked in Melbourne. He was so kind and giving to his fans and people that were waiting at the stage door. A true gentlemen who appriciated his friends and fans.
I'm shattered. I've seen Wicked 17 times here and he's the only main cast member I've seen all 17 times. He never missed a show. What a guy. He will indeed be sorely missed.
My thoughts, prayers and sympathy to his family. When I heard the name, I remembered that he represented Australia in the encore of the TAC of Les Miserables.
"TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD"- LES MISERABLES---
"THERE'S A SPECIAL KIND OF PEOPLE KNOWN AS SHOW PEOPLE... WE'RE BORN EVERY NIGHT AT HALF HOUR CALL!"--- CURTAINS