Theatre Career
Harrison made her professional debut playing Jenny in Aspects of Love. Other theatrical credits include Sunset Boulevard, Les Misérables, The Journey Girl, and as Liza Minnelli in The Boy from Oz with Todd McKenney. For The Production Company, she has appeared in Mame, She Loves Me, Guys and Dolls, and a Green Room nominated performance of Ado Annie in Oklahoma!
In 2001 Harrison moved to London and made her debut in the West End as Ali in Mamma Mia! She was also an Original London Cast member of We Will Rock You understudying the roles of Scaramouche and Meatloaf (Oz).
Harrison returned to Australia in 2003 for the Australian Tour of We Will Rock You and was awarded the 2004 Helpmann Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Oz.
In 2005 Harrison appeared in Leader of the Pack – The Ellie Greenwich Musical playing Ellie Greenwich, an inspirational songwriter of the 1960s. Her performance was nominated for both Helpmann and Green Room Awards. In 2007, Harrison played Ellen in Miss Saigon for the Brisbane and Sydney seasons.
In 2008 Harrison originated the role of Elphaba in the Australian production of Wicked which opened in Melbourne at the Regent Theatre. Harrison took a leave of absence from the show in November 2009 citing health and family reasons, with the intention of returning in 2010, however by February it became clear the leave would be permanent. For playing the role, Harrison was nominated for Green Room, Helpmann and Sydney Theatre Awards for Best Leading Actress in a Musical.
July 2011 saw Harrison appear as Reno Sweeney in "Anything Goes" for The Production Company.
Harrison originated the role of Paula Pokrifki in the World Premiere of An Officer and a Gentleman at the Sydney Lyric Theatre.
Read more about this topic: Amanda Harrison
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