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Sisters take to the stage together in new Aussie production of hit musical Wicked

By Sarah Swain|

When the curtain rises on Courtney Monsma's performance in one of musical theatre's biggest roles, her beloved sister won't be in the audience จC she'll be right behind her on the stage with her.

Because Emily Monsma, 28, is starring alongside sister Courtney in the new production of smash hit show Wicked.

?Courtney is playing 'good witch' Glinda in the show, an alternative take on the Wizard of Oz, while Emily is her understudy and will also perform in the ensemble.

When the curtain rises on her performance in one of musical theatre's biggest roles Courtney Monsma's sister won't be in the audience - she'll be right behind her on the stage with her.Because Emily Monsma, 28, is starring alongside sister Courtney in the new production of smash hit show Wicked.
Courtney Monsma, left, and sister Emily are both starring in show Wicked. (Instagram)

Courtney said they can't wait to perform together again having previously both worked at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast as they started carving out stage careers.

"It's so special, there's nothing like it," Courtney tells 9Honey.

It was Emily who inspired Courtney to get into performing, as the older sister was a step ahead of her in classes.

But Courtney said there's no rivalry between them.

"I have so much love for my sister," she says. "We've always just been so supportive of each other.??"

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When the curtain rises on her performance in one of musical theatre's biggest roles Courtney Monsma's sister won't be in the audience - she'll be right behind her on the stage with her.Because Emily Monsma, 28, is starring alongside sister Courtney in the new production of smash hit show Wicked.
It was Emily who inspired Courtney to get into performing, as the older sister was a step ahead of her. (Instagram)

The show, which first opened 20 years ago on Broadway, is about to be everywhere as it's also being made into two films.

The movies will star pop singer Ariana Grande? and actress Cynthia Erivo, with the first part out next year.

"I think the movie will bring a whole new generation of fans to the show," Courtney says.

Wicked is not Courtney's first lead role จC she also played Anna in Disney's Frozen on stage?? around the nation, with little girls falling in love with her version of the hapless heroine.

"You become that character for a lot of people," she says.

READ MORE: New musical offers a pop-tastic take on tragic tale?

When the curtain rises on her performance in one of musical theatre's biggest roles Courtney Monsma's sister won't be in the audience - she'll be right behind her on the stage with her.Because Emily Monsma, 28, is starring alongside sister Courtney in the new production of smash hit show Wicked.
Sheridan Adams left, and Courtney Monsma, right, will appear in stage show Wicked. (Supplied)

Bullying inspires performance?

Monsma's Wicked co-star Sheridan Adams said she can call on an upsetting school ordeal to inspire her character, the misunderstood 'wicked' witch, Elphaba.

Adams, 25, tells 9Honey she was bullied at school in Melbourne's west.

"There wasn't a reason and it's hard because it was from friends," she said.

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"Someone said that bullying among women when they're younger, it often comes from friendships, and women would rather be bullied than them be alone.

"I definitely I feel I relate to that.

"But as I've grown up, I feel really lucky that the people I've met along the way have been so supportive and so caring. "

James D. Gish and Talia Suskauer in the Broadway Production WICKED
James D. Gish and Talia Suskauer in the Broadway Production of Wicked. (Joan Marcus)

One thing Adams will need to contend with is being covered with green paint, as Elphaba famously has the unusually hued skin.

She'll also have to remove it each night.

"I'm in contact with the other Elphaba's around the world and getting their hints and tips," she says, laughing.

She said former Aussie Elphaba, Jemma Rix told her she'll need? "a lot of wipes and a lot of patience."

Wicked opens at Sydney Lyric Theatre in August?.

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