Acting favourites were spread across the three big budget new musicals.
Thanks to the hundreds of music theatre fans who voted in the inaugural Theatre People Pro Choice Awards. With plenty of productions on offer, Melbourne theatre fans have been spoilt for choice this year. Established stars such as Marina Prior, Phillip Quast, Anne Wood, Michael Cormick, Sylvie Paladino and Todd McKenney were joined by a tidal waves of newly minted stars such as Verity Hunt–Ballard, Josh Piterman, Jaz Flowers, Esther Hannaford and Christy Whelan.
The bigges
t winning margin in TP Pro Choice voting went to Esther Hannaford in her hilarious performance as Penny Pingleton in Hairspray.



[title of show] was a clear favourite in the Limited Run/Concert category.

West Side Story was streets ahead as Best Revival.

Ultimate honours for Best New Musical went to the dazzling Australian production of Hairspray.

Looking ahead to 2011 Melbourne music theatre is in for another big year. The first half of the year will see:
The Boy from Oz return to the State Theatre
Xanadu open its Australian tour in a Grand Marquee at the Docklands
Doctor Zhivago take the place of Mary Poppins at Her Majesty’s
Love Never Dies premiere at the Regent
Next to Normal run at the Playhouse.
These shows will compete for audience attention with special events such as Le Grand Cirque, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Walking with Dinosaurs, Riverdance and Cirque du Soleil’s Saltimbanco.
See you at the theatre!
Best New Musical |
Best Revival of a Musical |
Best Limited Run/Concert Musical |
Best Actor |
Trevor Ashley; Edna; Hairpsray |
Todd McKenney; Peter Allen; The Boy from Oz |
Josh Piterman; Tony; West Side Story |
Phillip Quast; George Banks; Mary Poppins |
Geoffrey Rush; Man in Chair; The Drowsy Chaperone |
Best Supporting Actor |
Rohan Browne; Riff; West Side Story |
Michael Cormick; Sam; Mamma Mia! |
Adam Murphy; Adolpho; The Drowsy Chaperone |
Dennis Olsen; Sir Osgood Fielding III; Sugar |
Stephen Wheat; Charley Kringas; Merrily We Roll Along |
Best Actress |
Jaz Flowers; Tracy Turnblad; Hairspray |
Chelsea Gibb; Anna Leonowens; The King & I |
Julie Goodwin; Maria; West Side Story |
Verity Hunt-Ballard; Mary Poppins; Mary Poppins |
Anne Wood; Donna; Mamma Mia! |
Best Supporting Actress |
Robyn Arthur; Marion Woolnough; The Boy from Oz |
Esther Hannaford; Penny Pingleton; Hairspray |
Christen O’Leary; Judy Garland; The Boy from Oz |
Sylivie Paladino; Lady Thiang; The King & I |
Christie Whelan; Janet van de Graaf; The Drowsy Chaperone |