|
CLOC counts down to Boy From Oz
7th May 2008
By Chris Hughes
 Theatre
People’s Chris Hughes caught up with CLOC’s Peter Allen to be, Jon
Sebastian to talk about what’s
it like stepping into the shoes of a legend.
CLOC’s Boy From
Oz is possibly the hottest ticket in town. With ticket sales through
the roof, CLOC looks set to uphold it’s reputation for pleasing it’s
patrons with the high quality, premier productions . TBFO features
an all star cast with several guild winners, both in the cast and on
the production team, however the show’s success will be hinged on a
relative newcomer to the leading male category, Jon Sebastian.
For years, Jon
has worked in Melbourne in featured ensemble roles, but got his big
break last year when he performed the role of Lumiere in
Whitehorse’s Beauty and the Beast, and to critical acclaim, he made
his mark as a formidable performer. Jon, playing the challenging
role of Peter Allen, has big shoes to fill, on a path worn by his
predecessors Todd McKenney and one of Australia’s brightest stars,
Hugh Jackman. It’s not surprising that he’s excited, yet
understandably anxious about the show.
The Boy From Oz
opened in the 1990’s, a decade in which more traditional musicals
gave way to the “juke box musical”. Shout! Mamma Mia! and The Boy
from Oz all were released in the same era and have been tarred with
the same brush… a musical with a pretty empty story line and daggy
pop songs, squarely aimed at the lucrative boomer market, selling
tickets based on familiarity with the songs, rather than artistic
merit, however Jon doesn’t necessarily agree that TBFO falls into
that category.
Jon:
“In my opinion, what sets TBFO apart from the others is that
Peter did actually write these songs about the people in his life.
It's not a case of taking his songs and forming a story based on the
lyrics, it's about taking his story and slotting in his songs to
tell the story, as they were generally written about those moments
of meaning in his life. Obviously for artistic reasons a few things
are thrown in here and there, but the lyrics of each song have total
input to the story, not just the first lyric and the last.”
Chris:
"Juke Box Shows that are based on the composer ort performer shows
are meant to be impersonations right? Buddy,
Jersey Boys and
Shout! for example. So what’s Jon’s Peter Allen impersonation like?"
Jon:
(laughs) “I haven't gone out to do an impression of Peter Allen
as such, the show is a medium to showcase his life, not to replicate
it. I mean, after all, I could not name one person who could
replicate Mr Allen. I am just keeping it real and trying to do
justice to his music and his life, obviously there are certain
things you need to 'replicate' but it is me playing the character
Peter Allen, not imitating Peter Allen”
 When
you think about it, he may have a point there. Does TBFO actually
require a Peter Allen impersonation to be successful? It was lot to
ask the audience to believe that Hugh Jackman really looked anything
like Peter Allen, or acted a great deal like him for that matter,
yet people seemed to enjoy his performance. Were they just star
struck? Maybe the American audience just didn’t really remember who
Peter Allen was, or perhaps they just didn’t care? Then again, I
think about David Campbell in Shout and Tamsin Carroll in Dusty and
so on and I wonder if they’d enjoy similar success if they hadn’t
characterised their performances as realistic portrayals of their
subjects? Jon seems to be going against the grain on this one, but
I’m willing to bet that his comments are more playing down his
ability to actually do an impersonation, rather than his reluctance
to do one. I think back a few years, when I heard about a cabaret
that Todd McKenney was doing just after his Boy From Oz stint and
hearing about how he could sing full songs while doing sit ups, such
was his level of fitness. Perhaps he had a little chemical
assistance back then? (sorry, I couldn’t help myself). I wonder
what pre show preparation Jon has undertaken. Any crazy diets or
workout regimes?
Jon: “I
guess I cannot really get away with lying too much here. I wish
there were crazy workouts and the like, however due to my work
commitments and travel it's pretty much just get in and do it. The
show is full on, I'm only offstage for about 35 minutes per night
and that includes the 20min interval. At the end of the day all you
can do is look after yourself and pace yourself. Not much can
prepare you for how much energy you will need until you are there
doing it... then once you have done it, you run off, get a massage
and eat a jar of Manuka honey (it's gold I tell you)”.
Of course, Jon
doesn’t rely on being amateur theatre performer to pay his bills. He
holds a role with Vodafone as a Business Analyst, looking at the
operational improvement of the customer operations areas across the
country.
Jon: “I pretty much get to
focus on the Billing Systems ensuring that the business operates in
the most efficient manner with the systems which (hopefully)
contributes to a delighted customer”.
 Not
only is Jon a performer, holds a grown up job, but he’s also on the
team at Theatre People.
Jon: “I look after the hosting
and the general techie stuff. I’ve been making lots of promises so
if I do take a break I might actually deliver on one of them, God
forbid. The site is great, it's always good to be getting "warning"
emails earlier each month saying that your traffic is going through
the roof. Just proves the site is the number one theatre site in
Vic”.
Chris:
"I recently saw
the pro version of Shout! and it differed greatly from the amateur
version. Does TBFO differ at all from the pro version?"
Jon:
“From my understanding there are some changes, not out of want but
need. Whether it be rights issues on individual songs or changing
arrangements. Generally the show is the original Australian version
(which starred good old Todd). It appears that some aspects of the
Broadway production have been thrown in as well, again around
arrangements and the adding of a song or two”.
With so much to do and so many great songs to cover, it must be hard
to pick out a stand out moment for him, but I urge him to come up
with something. He taps his chin and ponders the question for a
moment.
 Jon:
“ I will have to break this one up a bit. All Peter Allen songs
are so lyrical to sing. So vocally I’m enjoying everything. They
just make sense musically which, as a singer, just makes it
enjoyable. Emotionally, I would say the relationship with Liza and
Greg. And for just pure fun, well you just can't go past
Rio!”
Considering that
Jon is expected at almost every rehearsal, he’s put under a great
deal of pressure stay healthy and balance a day job, but having
worked with most of the production team before has made the task
less grueling and much more enjoyable.
Jon:
"What can I say about them (the production team)? They are
supportive, encouraging, PATIENT! LOL.... This is now my 7th show
with Chris [Bradtke] as Director, it is different being in the lead
so I am able to speak up just that little more. It's great to be a
part of the thought process and getting to have some input. With
Susan Lewis, two of my earlier shows in Melbourne were with Sue; ACL
at Altona and Singing in the Rain at CLOC and well I have wanted to
work with her again ever since. It's an absolute pleasure. Gregory
Smith has MD'd three of my last four shows so there's not much
change there, he's crazy but so much fun.....he let's you get away
with things vocally, but just don't go too far as he can say 'NO',
it's rare but it does happen”.
Jon really has no
idea what he’s looking to do next and has chosen to keep his eye on
the ball and stay focused on TBFO for the moment.
Jon: “ I really
should be focusing on work. But once a thespian always a thespian, I
don't think I have taken a break since 2000, and I am still not so
sure if I want to. I’m planning on a move to
UK mid 09 so may
just have to keep going and take a break then. But thoughts are Aida
is an option (love the show, just wanna sing it), Hot Shoe Shuffle
would be great, Susan Lewis is just magic”.
Chris:
"So where does everyone go to unwind after rehearsals for an after
party?"
Jon: “You say after party?...
well that would have to be Caro's ! LOL. As for after rehearsals
that changes with the show, for TBFO it's been Mother's Milk in Bay
St, Brighton, can't beat $2 Champas and $3 Beers on a Sunday
Evening!”.
CLOC’s Boy From OZ Opens May 9
Details can be
found in What’s
On
Click on the images below to see a larger version of the
photo.
Then to return to this page use the back button on your
browser
|
