CURRENT SHOWS
NEW SOUTH WALES
Hayes Theatre: The Bridges of Madison County
NSW Regional Tour: H.M.S. Pinafore
Sydney Lyric Theatre: War Horse
Sydney Opera House- Joan Sutherland Theatre: Carmen
–
VICTORIA
Comedy Theatre: Come From Away
Her Majesty’s Theatre: Shrek
Princess Theatre: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Regent Theatre: Billy Elliot
–
NEW ZEALAND
The Civic (Auckland): The Book of Mormon
–
WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND AUSTRALIAN THEATRES
Show Announcement: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
The critically acclaimed, Olivier nominated musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is heading to Australia!
Inspired by a true story and a BBC documentary “Jamie: Drag Queen at 16”, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie tells the story of the adversity and bullying Jamie faced at school, as well as the incredible love between a mother and her son.
–
Show Announcement: Midnight The Cinderella Musical
Stars of stage and screen Shane Jacobson and Rob Mills will lead the new musical production of MIDNIGHT- The Cinderella Musical, with music/lyrics by John Foreman and Anthony Costanzo, which is premiering in Melbourne on June 26 at Her Majesty’s Theatre.
This enchanting tale will be re-imagined for the stage with Direction/Book by Dean Murphy (The Very Excellent Mr Dundee, The Divorce) & Pip Mushin (Resident Director: Book of Mormon, Fiddler on the Roof) and Music and Lyrics by John Foreman (Oprah Winfrey finale concert, Carols By Candlelight), & Anthony Costanzo (Life’s A Circus, Crossroads). Choreography by Kelly Aykers (So You Think You Can Dance, The Wizard of Oz, Barnum) will round out this magical offering.
Debuting just in time for the school holidays, MIDNIGHT features a funny, intelligent and strong-willed Cinderella who is determined to make her mark. The last thing she wants, or needs is a so-called Prince Charming. Enchanted by this feisty and alluring stranger, the Prince wades into uncharted territory and quickly learns ‘Ella’ is like no one he has met before.
Can Ella do all she plans before the Fairy Godmothers spell breaks at the stroke of MIDNIGHT?
In addition to Shane Jacobson as The King and Rob Mills as the Prince, a national search will begin in March to find the perfect Ella and producers are hoping to cast an unknown talent to fill the role.
The show opens at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne on June 26th with all information available at https://midnightmusical.com.au/
–
Show Announcement: The Wedding Singer
It’s 1985. Hair is huge, collars are up and a wedding singer might just be the coolest guy in the room. By the writer of the original smash-hit movie starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, The Wedding Singer achieved a Tony Award nomination for Best Musical and has toured internationally to great acclaim.
Following sold out performances on Broadway and across the UK, The Wedding Singer’s smashing sing-a-long score does for the ‘80s what Hairspray did for the ‘60s.
In what might be a first for an Australian musical production, the company is casting a wide net to find their Australian Wedding Singer. Real life wedding singers with a comedic flair are invited to submit for the title role, played by Adam Sandler in the movie. Submission details can be found on weddingsingermusical.com.au, with submissions from all regions, including remote areas, encouraged to apply.
The Wedding Singer will premiere at Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre from 19 June with tickets on sale now!
–
Cast Announcement: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Director and Producer, Bonnie Lythgoe is delighted to announce she has cast ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Judge Tristan MacManus to play the role of ‘The Prince’ and one Australia’s favourite performers Rhonda Burchmore returns for her second Panto to play ‘The Queen’. Young, up and coming performer Anastasia Feneri also returns for her second panto to play ‘Snow White’. The cast is rounded out by funny man Kev Orkian and newcomer Max Fulham. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will this year play exclusively at the all-new Sydney Coliseum Theatre, West HQ from Friday 3 to Sunday 12 July.
Further details can be found at https://www.ozpanto.com/shows/snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs/
–
SPECIAL EVENTS
Event: International Women’s Day
Sunday, March 8th saw the female cast members of current Australian musicals join with women from around the world celebrate International Women’s Day. Here are some photos from around the theatres.
–
Arts in Schools Charity Event
Young Women of Williamstown are organising a performance event in their Centenary Theatre which involves some of Australia’s best musical theatre performers coming together with the Williamstown High School Vocal Ensemble to raise funds and provide opportunities for performance arts in schools.
Joining the school’s vocal ensemble will be Ruva Ngwenya (Ragtime, Caroline, Or Change), Rachael Ward (Chicago, Evita), Jessica Mills, Anna O’Bryne (Phantom of the Opera, My Fair Lady), Olivia Charalambous (Puffs, 21 Chump St), Georgina Hopson (The Secret Garden, Evita) and Caitlin Quinn (PARIS- A Rock Odyssey, Priscilla Queen of the Desert).
The event will be held at Centenary Theatre on Thursday 19 March 2020 at 6:30pm with tickets available from https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=612051&fbclid=IwAR1DJE9EsCTww5exSYHzQf1-FW6jjkjcCo0Cc8sdvuCXrcAQDuPq4DzWX2o
–
Karina Russell creates Climate Crisis mini series
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory‘s Karina Russell has written and choreographed Video For Change’s mini series about the current Climate Crisis.
Season 1 of GREEN & BLUE stars real Aussie children who care. After a state-wide search we found 12 young heroes aged 7-17 years old who are determined to use their gift of dance to promote positive action amidst our current Climate Crisis.
For further information and to help them raise funds for their project, head to https://www.gofundme.com/f/green-and-blue?fbclid=IwAR1nY_zoL3DONQ0coium7cqw6DcCRzQkAoEBTiEbjyGvr3Vw2GOcwMFbKwQ
Videos can be found at https://www.facebook.com/vidsforchange/
–
OPENING SHOWS
NEW SOUTH WALES
Civic Theatre, Newcastle: Chess the Musical (March 27th)
Darlinghurst Theatre- Eternity Playhouse: A Chorus Line (March 13th)
Riverside Theatre: Spamalot (March 19th)
Roslyn Packer Theatre: Bran Nue Dae (April 16th)
Sydney Lyric Theatre: 9 to 5 (April 19th)
The Art House Theatre, Wyong: Spamalot (March 26th)
–
QUEENSLAND
QPAC Lyric Theatre: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (March 18th)
–
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Adelaide Festival Theatre: School of Rock (March 20th)
–
VICTORIA
Chapel off Chapel: Stepping Out (April 15th)
St Martin’s Theatre: Jack Frost: the Musical (March 17th)
–
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Crown Theatre, Perth: War Horse (March 24th)
–
CLOSING SHOWS
NEW SOUTH WALES
Civic Theatre, Newcastle: Chess the Musical (March 28th)
Darlinghurst Theatre- Eternity Playhouse: A Chorus Line(March 13th)
Hayes Theatre: The Bridges of Madison County (April 5th)
NSW Regional Tour: H.M.S. Pinafore (March 14th)
Riverside Theatre: Spamalot (March 22nd)
Sydney Lyric Theatre: War Horse (March 15th)
Sydney Opera House- Joan Sutherland Theatre: Carmen (March 26th)
The Art House Theatre, Wyong: Spamalot (March 28th)
–
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Adelaide Festival Theatre: School of Rock (April 19th)
–
VICTORIA
Comedy Theatre: Come From Away (March 21st)
Regent Theatre: Billy Elliot (April 19th)
St Martin’s Theatre: Jack Frost: the Musical (March 22nd)
–
NEW ZEALAND
The Civic (Auckland): The Book of Mormon (March 21st)
–
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Crown Theatre, Perth: War Horse (April 12th)
–
AUSSIES ABROAD
Bushfire Benefit
Congratulations to everyone involved in the Australian Bushfire Benefit at London’s Royal Academy of Music on Sunday, March 1st. Australian performers included Lotte Betts- Dean, Embla Bishop, Catherine Carby, Samantha Clarke, Corinne Cowling, Amy Dickson, Helena Dix, Alex Given, Joseph Havlat, The Hills Quartet, Kurt Kansley, Renee Kennedy, Bridget O’Donnell. Phoebe Panaretos, Una Reynolds, Samuel Sakker, Helen Sherman, Stuart Skelton, Paul Tabone, Toby Thatcher, Simon Thorpe, Chad Vindin and Simone Young AM.
The event has raised over $82,000 for humans and animals effected by the bushfires.
–
Gareth Keegan and Shaye B. Hopkins
Congratulations to husband and wife performers, Gareth Keegan (Jersey Boys, Next to Normal) and Shaye B. Hopkins (Legally Blonde, Grease) who are both currently performing on Broadway in Diana: A True Musical Story. Keegan is in the Ensemble while Hopkins who is a Swing made her Broadway Debut this week as Lady Sarah Spencer.
If you find yourself in NYC, tickets are available from https://thedianamusical.com/
–
Kurt Phelan
Original Australian cast member Kurt Phelan (American Idiot, Dirty Dancing) will be Directing and Choreographing American Idiot in Padgett Productions presents the Kansas City Premiere of Green Day’s American Idiot which is set to show from April 3rd to 26th, 2020 at The Living Room Theatre, located at 1818 McGee St, in the vibrant Crossroads Arts District of Kansas City.
Details can be found at https://www.americanidiotlive.com/
Congratulations Kurt!
–
Hayden Tee
Hayden Tee is currently appearing in the Manila season of Matilda the Musical as villain, Miss Trunchbull.
Tee has been a hit with Manila audiences with one review stating “And since everybody loves a big, bad, baddie, the phenomenal Hayden Tee brings down the house with his portrayal of Miss Trunchbull. With solid vocals, and a thoroughly convincing attitude to match, Tee turns up the menace to a frightful, but absolutely entertaining eleven. His gigantic, brash performance is a fitting opposite the detached and self-possessed defiance of the tiny Matilda, and despite the character’s more sinister intentions and motivations, brightens up the stage whenever he steps into the light.”
Matilda is playing at The Theatre at Solaire until Sunday, March 22nd with tickets available from https://www.solaireresort.com/article/matilda-musical
–
