THEATRE PEOPLE WEEKLY WRAP- MARCH 17TH 2020

Dear Readers,

It is sad that whilst writing this post, our industry has been severely impacted by this unfathomable incident of 2020. Our thoughts go out to all those in the performing arts and beyond who have lost their sources of income, those who are struggling mentally, those who are worried about providing for their family and those who are unsure of what the future will hold.

Please check on those around you during this time and please don’t forget we are a collective known for our generosity, our love and our creativeness. Please hold onto these traits dearly.

Theatre People are doing their upmost best to keep everyone updated on what is happening around the clock but remember those providing updates and decisions are human too. Lastly if I could ask those who are able if you could complete the survey about the impact of coronavirus on your work and income in the media, entertainment and arts industries.

https://www.meaa.org/coronavirus-survey/?fbclid=IwAR31tHsnXlniBRygRDZqTaZhqUO_quOy-weIHgYUksDaODmUeXZe2NaYN4g

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SHOW ANNOUNCEMENTS

News regarding The Green Room Awards

Dear Friends,

In light of efforts to slow the COVID-19 virus and the recent ban on non-essential gatherings of over 500 people, the Green Room Awards ceremony will sadly not go ahead at the Comedy Theatre on Monday 30 March 2020.

To ensure that artists, supporters and audiences can celebrate the outstanding work presented during 2019, we are instead working on a virtual ceremony.

We will be back in touch with further details of the virtual Green Room Awards celebration and ceremony shortly.

If you have already bought tickets, you will shortly be contacted by Ticketmaster to arrange a refund. If you are in a position to do so, please consider donating the refunded amount to the Green Room Awards to help support our costs. You can do so by clicking here: http://ow.ly/q1hb50yNznu

With best wishes,

Hilary Glow
President, Green Room Awards Association

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Come From Away– encore Melbourne season

Due to the current climate, award winning hit musical Come From Away like many shows have cut their seasons short to protect the health, safety and well-being of their staff, artists, audiences and their community.

Whilst they are concluding their season at the Comedy Theatre after nine months of critical acclaim and standing ovations, becoming the most successful production in the theatre’s 91-year history, they have announced that Come From Away will return to Melbourne for strictly limited, six-week encore season in February 2021.

Further news can be found at https://comefromaway.com.au/

The company of Come From Away

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CHESS announces new dates

The Very Popular Theatre Company has announced new dates for CHESS with a press release on Wednesday, March 18th 2020.

“Our cast, choir, orchestra and creative team have shown so much love and enthusiasm to continue the production into 2021. Both David Harris and Silvie Paladino will be returning for their Very Popular Theatre Company debuts, alongside the familiar faces of Amy Vee, Marty Worrall, Marissa Saroca, Matt Edwards and Christopher Allan.”

The new dates are February 26th and 27th, 2021 at The Civic in Newcastle, NSW. For further information head to https://www.verypopulartheatreco.com.au/

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Hayes Theatre- Bridges of Madison County Season

In response to restrictions on indoor gatherings announced by the Department of Health this morning, Hayes Theatre Co has cancelled all performances until Sunday June 21. This means that there will be no further performances of The Bridges of Madison County and both Merrily We Roll Along and Dubbo Championship Wrestling will be postponed.

Sadly, the intimacy and immediacy of a performance at Hayes is incompatible with social distancing recommendations and the health and well-being of our performers, staff and patrons has to be of the upmost priority right now. We’re devastated by the impact being felt right across the creative community and the loss of opportunity for our incredible artists. Making art is hard; this goes far beyond that. We’re not stopping working at Hayes. We’ll be putting our energy and resources into creative development and when the time comes to welcome audiences back, we promise to have wonders in store for you. If you have tickets to any of the three productions, a member of our box office team will be in touch to organise a full refund (including booking fee).

We’d like to ask that you consider converting the value of your tickets to a tax-deductible donation to Hayes, if it’s within your means. Support from individuals is a huge part of our income and the only way we can put our musicals onstage. To lose that support as well as our box office income for the next three months would be a terrible blow to the company and our future productions. Thank you for your understanding. We hope that you too are finding a way through this difficult time.

Warm regards,

Hayes Theatre Co

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Frozen

Sunday, March 15th saw the announcement of the full cast of Disney’s Frozen. Joining the previously announced Jemma Rix (Elsa) and Courtney Monsma (Anna) will be Matt Lee (Mary Poppins, Happy Feet) as lovable snowman Olaf, Thomas McGuane (Jersey Boys, Bring It On) as Hans, Sean Sinclair (Aladdin, Beautiful) as Kristoff, Aljin Abella (Aladdin, Anything Goes) as Weselton and Jonathan MacMillan (War Horse, King Kong) and Lachlan McIntyre (Musical Theatre Debut).

The adult ensemble members are Jakob Ambrose, Justin Anderson, Tanika Anderson, Blake Appelqvist, Sage Douglas, Nicholas Eaton, Mitchell Fistrovic, Joti Gore, Samm Hagen, Jayme-Lee Hanekom, Kimberley Hodgson, Todd Jacobsson, Jessica Kane, Andrew Kroenert, Jordan Malone, Hayley Martin, Adele Parkinson, Liam Peel, Anthony Sheppard, Thalia Smith, Sophie Weiss and Brendan Xavier.

Sharing the role of Young Elsa will be Deeana Cheong Foo, Amelia Heaven, Sara Petrovski and Lucy Famborough.

Sharing the role of Young Anna will be Chloe Delle-Vedove, Faith Hedley, Sabrina Franco and Sienna Kann.

Disney’s Frozen has announced that they plan to proceed with all shows. Patrons can see any incoming updates at https://frozenthemusical.com.au/statement/

Tickets can be purchased from https://frozenthemusical.com.au/

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Tommy

Victorian Opera is excited to announce a star-studded cast for its Australian premiere production of five-time Tony Award musical, The Who’s Tommy. Based on The Who’s legendary 1969 concept album Tommy, which sold over 20 million copies, the rock musical is set to supercharge Melbourne’s Palais Theatre from 14 – 22 August.

Legendary British band The Who extended the possibilities of rock ‘n’ roll to new horizons in the 1960s and 70s. From their iconic 1969 rock opera album Tommy comes a five-time Tony Award-winning musical – a high-energy, one-of-a-kind theatrical experience.

Tommy’s traumatic childhood leaves his senses paralysed, but despite being deaf, dumb and blind, the teenager plays a mean pinball game. His extraordinary talent catapults him to international superstardom in this inspiring story of hope, healing, and triumph over adversity.

With music and lyrics by The Who’s guitarist and vocalist Pete Townshend, the electrifying and timeless score features smash hits such as ‘Pinball Wizard’, ‘I’m Free’ and ‘Acid Queen’.

Get ready to rock on with The Who’s Tommy as it takes over Melbourne’s rock ‘n’ roll stomping ground with raw energy and music that has the power to shake your soul.

In a role approved by The Who’s Pete Townshend himself, Victorian Opera welcomes back rising star Mat Verevis (A Little Night Music, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Nine Network’s The Voice) as Narrator / Tommy. He’s joined by stage stars Chris Ryan (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder) as Captain Walker and Amy Lehpamer (School of Rock, The Sound of Music) as Mrs. Walker.

Legendary performer Paul Capsis takes on the iconic role of The Gypsy (Acid Queen), with Victorian Opera regular Kanen Breen (Black Rider, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) as Uncle Ernie and Vincent Hooper (The Rocky Horror Show) as Cousin Kevin.

The ensemble cast includes Sheridan Anderson, Jared Bryan, Monique Dawes, Mark Doggett, Darcey Eagle, Courtney Glass, Matt Hamilton, David Hammond, Savannah Lind, Louis Lucente, John O’Hara, Matthew Predny, Emma Russell, Dean Schulz, David Sirianni, Darren Tyler, Jessica Vellucci, and Stephanie Wall.

Further details and information can be found at https://www.victorianopera.com.au/season/the-whos-tommy

The cast of Tommy

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BABY NEWS

Ayla Danielsen

Congratulations to Steve Danielsen (Book of Mormon) and Elisha Danielsen (Grease) on the birth of their daughter. Ayla was born on March 3rd, 2020. The family are doing well.

Ayla Danielsen

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AUSSIES ABROAD

Claire Lyon

Claire Lyon is currently performing in The Phantom of the Opera at the Blue Square Theatre in Seoul, South Korea. The show will continue to run during this time. A message from Claire:

“Overwhelmed with gratitude after our first weekend of packed houses in Seoul. Never have I ever been so grateful to be employed. It is sheer luck that we just happen to be scheduled in Korea right now.Thank you to our producers Troika, RUG and SnCo and of course @gwbentertainment for having the courage to keep us afloat, for having the courage to keep us afloat, and to every single company member for turning up ready to plough through amid everything that’s happening. This is an incredibly tough and potentially crippling time for the theatre industry. So many friends have lost their jobs overnight, without pay. It’s devastating. I only hope our colleagues overseas can get through this and come out the other end. Thank you Korea. Thank you, thank you, thank you “

Phantom Korea

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Josh Piterman

This week saw Josh Piterman meet and perform for HRH The Prince of Wales at the “Red Cross – Australian Bushfire Appeal” dinner at Mansion House last night. By all reports it was a beautiful, heart warming evening with over £250k raised for those affected for the fires.