Lucy Durack has had quite the eclectic career, starting out playing Glinda in the Australian production of Wicked, to then going on to play Elle Woods in the Australian production of Legally Blonde: The Musical. As she returns to her first big role as Glinda, we take a look back at this amazingly talented and successful performer’s career so far. The Incredible Story of Lucy Durack: From Wicked Witch to Elle Woods
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was born in Southport on 23 May 1982. Growing up she knew she wanted to be involved in entertainment. Her father was a singer and her brother James Durack became a professional opera singer. The Incredible Story of Lucy Durack: From Wicked Witch to Elle Woods
Bio
Lucy Durack is an Australian actress, singer and television personality who played Glinda in the Australian production of Wicked, and Elle Woods in Legally Blonde The Musical. She was also a celebrity contestant on Dancing with Stars Season 7. In March 2011 she won a Logie Award for Most Popular New Female Talent. For her performance as Glinda, she received two Helpmann Awards, an Astra Award and was nominated for several more. Wikipedia
Family
Born in Perth, Australia on February 24, 1985. Her father is Tony Durack who was a founding member of The Seekers and her mother is Elizabeth (née Harvey). Her father and uncles were members of a singing group called The Vernons Girls.
Physical info
Physical info History: Born on December 10, 1976 in Southport, Queensland. Is an Australian actress, singer and television personality who played Glinda in the Australian production of Wicked and Elle Woods in Australia’s original production of Legally Blonde. Has a brother named Alex. Began performing at age 9 when she joined a cabaret group called The Young Generation.
Career
Her first appearance on television was a guest role on The Saddle Club in 2002. Durack’s most recent work has been an eight-month stint as Glinda, in a touring production of Wicked, which ended in December 2006, and also landed her an Australian Recording Industry Association Award for ‘Best Female Artist’ in 2006. Her debut CD A Little Heaven was released on 7 November 2006 through Sony BMG Australia and debuted at number 1 on the ARIA charts.
Awards
Has been nominated for a Helpmann Award for Best Female Actor in a Musical, and won a Matilda Award as Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. Both were for her role as Glinda in Wicked.
Net worth
Net worth After taking on one of theatre’s most iconic roles in Australia, she reprised her role as Glinda in ‘Wicked’ from 2006 until 2009. With a stunning voice and impressive vocal range, (she can belt out high C’s) she also played starring roles as Carmen in Opera Australia’s ‘Carmen Jones’ and Maria von Trapp in The Sound Of Music. She won Sydney Theatre Awards for both performances.
sweetest time
sweetest time Lucy Durack : most popular role? most popular role? Lucy Durack : best performance ever!
secrets of beauty
secrets of beauty Lucy Durack : tips for sleep. How to get a good night’s rest. Sleeping tips and suggestions by Australian actress, singer, and television personality , Lucy Durack.
first love
first love Lucy Durack : Broadway debut at 17 years old in Les Miserables as Young Cosette. : Broadway debut at 17 years old in Les Miserables as Young Cosette. Lucy Durack : Her big break was playing Glinda in Australian production of Wicked, for which she won a Helpmann Award for Best Female Actor in a Musical. This performance led her to be cast as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde: The Musical, where she stayed for 2 1/2 years and won another Helpmann Award for Best Female Actor in a Musical.
first success
first success Win a Logie for The Voice : Lucy won a 2012 Gold Logie for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television as a contestant on The Voice Australia.
dearest person
dearest person Better known for her spellbinding portrayal as Glinda in Wicked and Elle Woods in Legally Blonde: The Musical, Lucy Durack has been dazzling audiences on stage and screen alike for years. Raised in Sydney’s North Shore, a young Lucy knew she wanted to be involved with performing arts at an early age.
A young girl
When she was still a young girl growing up in Australia, things weren’t looking too great for Lucy. She had been born with clubbed feet and doctors predicted that she would never walk. Though having no legs meant that she couldn’t run down and play with her friends, her disability didn’t stop her from enjoying life. Instead, it spurred her on to do great things – like become an actress and singer!
Getting into singing
It was in third grade that she decided to take up ballet, and it was only later that she discovered her love for performing. When I was young, I just wanted to learn how to twirl a baton properly so my PE teacher signed me up for dance lessons, says Lucy.
Life on stage
Australian actress, singer and television personality, Lucy Durack is best known for her role as Glinda in The Wizard of Oz in Australia. She played a major role in Legally Blonde when she played Elle Woods as well. Let’s find out more about her!
Then comes Wicked
It was just by chance that musical theatre lover Durack decided to audition for a tour of wicked, despite her lack of theatrical experience. I had only been out here [in Los Angeles] for about a month and had already done loads of auditions, says Lucy. It wasn’t until I got home from one that my agent rang me and said, ‘you know you were supposed to come in today?
Next, Legally Blonde
The Musical (2001-2006) took off; Lucy won a Helpmann award for her portrayal of Elle. But, despite being an international star, there was one role she’d always dreamed about – Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. Finally, in 2006, her wish came true. Playing Dorothy alongside Australian actor Todd McKenney as The Scarecrow, Lucy flew off on a magic carpet ride back into public consciousness with a new revival of The Wizard Of Oz at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre.
Other film/TV roles
Jane in All Saints, Daniella Pateli in Home and Away, Libby Kennedy in Neighbours, Kylie Kwong in The Living Room. She also appeared as herself on Have You Been Paying Attention? and had a role as Layla Harrison in Underbelly. Her theatre credits include a principal role in Hairspray at Sydney’s Theatre Royal.
Taking time off from music
A few years ago, Australian actress, singer and television personality Lucy Durack was starring in a show on Broadway. Since then she’s lived in Los Angeles and earned a Best Actress nomination at The Helpmann Awards. But while her career in theater was flourishing, something inside of her told her it wasn’t right. She left everything behind – including Broadway stardom – and embarked on an incredible journey that lead her back to who she really is.
Returning to stage and taking a break from performing again due to anxiety
In an interview with Woman’s Day, she revealed how her anxiety had pushed her away from performing. I loved it, but I was really anxious before every show. It got too much, so I took a year off to do an acting course, she said. Now that I’ve learned about my triggers and know what makes me anxious and what doesn’t, I’m in love with acting again.
A TV presenter role on Carols by Candlelight
In 2010, she hosted Carols by Candlelight alongside James Blunt. The Carols were simulcast on Channel Seven, Foxtel and Austar in Australia, on CTV in Canada and TV3 in New Zealand. In 2011, she hosted Carols By Candlelight alongside Blake Shelton. Her role included interviews with stars including Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum and Sheryl Crow. The show was watched by 2.5 million viewers (in comparison to 8 million viewers during 2008).
Final thoughts
I’ve read a lot about how an actor can’t succeed unless they leave Australia and head overseas, but that doesn’t seem to be Lucy’s experience. At only 26 years old she has been in three major musicals, two on Broadway and one in her home town of Adelaide. I wanted to know how she was able to achieve all these things at such a young age! This year is already shaping up for her with a new production of Legally Blonde opening early next year at The Lyric theatre.
Q.&A.
How was it playing Elle in Legally Blonde? Have you had a chance to see her in any other productions? What do you think she would be doing today? What’s next for your career, and what are your plans for 2018?
What is Lucy Durack doing now?
Australian actress and singer, known for her portrayal of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde: The Musical. As a teenager, she played Glinda in Wicked, taking over from Caroline Keiff in 2007. In 2017 she co-hosted Australia’s Got Talent with Shane Bourne and performed at Queensland Music Festival. Recently starred as Margaret Hamilton in Goodspeed’s new production of The Wizard of Oz! A true triple threat! Or is it quadruple?
What musicals has Lucy Durack been in?
She played Glinda in Australia’s production of Wicked, and Elle Woods in its national production of Legally Blonde: The Musical.
Has Lucy Durack been on masked singer?
Yes, The Masked Singer is an Australian reality show where celebrities wear elaborate costumes while performing songs. In fact, Durack donned a wig and catsuit to perform Defying Gravity from Wicked. The singer behind Glinda also sang Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic by The Police for Australia’s Got Talent in 2012!
Who has starred in Wicked in Australia?
Australian actress, singer and television personality Lucy Durack has played Glinda in every Australian production of Wicked. But it wasn’t a direct path to Oz’s Emerald City for Durack, who rose through the ranks in Australia thanks to her chops as a singer, comedian and comedic actress.