All the latest news in the Weekly Wrap!
CURRENT SHOWS
NEW SOUTH WALES
Capitol Theatre: Charlie and the Choco
Sydney Lyric Theatre: The Book of Mormon
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QUEENSLAND
QPAC Lyric Theatre: Jersey Boys
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VICTORIA
Arts Centre Melbourne- State Theatre: Evita
Comedy Theatre: Calamity Jane
Arts Centre Melbourne- Playhouse: Peter Pan Goes Wrong
Her Majesty’s Theatre: School of Rock
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AROUND AUSTRALIAN THEATRES
Opening Night: Jersey Boys
Saturday, January 5th saw Jersey Boys open at Brisbane’s Lyric Theatre, QPAC. Jersey Boys is the story of The Four Seasons, made up of band members; Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. Originally from New Jersey, USA, The Four Seasons became internationally successful during the 1960s and 1970s with hits such as their 1962 album Sherry and Others which included songs such as the titular song and Big Girls Don’t Cry, their February 1963 album with hits such as Walk Like A Man and December 1963 (Oh, What A Night) from their 1975 album Who Loves You.
These songs and more are weaved effortlessly into the story line performed by a talented cast of 18 including Ryan Gonzalez (Frankie Valli), Cameron MacDonald (Tommy DeVito), Thomas McGuane (Bob Guadio) and Glaston Toft (Nick Massi).
Jersey Boys runs at QPAC until February 17th with tickets available from https://jerseyboys.com.au/
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Opening Night: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
The pink carpet was rolled out at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre on Friday, January 11th. The cast received a standing ovation. On the evening Charlie was played by 13 year old Ryan Yeates.
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Show Milestone: Evita celebrates 100th show
The company of Opera Australia’s Evita have rounded out their first week of 2019 performances by celebrating their 100th show on Sunday, January 6th. Congratulations to all involved!
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Performance: School of Rock
New Years Day 2019 saw cast members from The School of Rock perform as part of the the pre- match entertainment at the Melbourne Stars vs Melbourne Renegades match at the MCG! Well done everyone !
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Performance: Female cast of Jersey Boys at Brisbane International
Sunday, January 6th saw the female cast members of Jersey Boys Sage Douglas, Mia Dabkowski- Chandler, Cristina D’Agostino and Mackenzie Dunn perform the National Anthem at the Women’s Final of the Brisbane International. Well done ladies!
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Performance: Steve Danielsen
You may of spotted a familiar face at the cricket this weekend when Steve Danielsen (Book of Mormon) sung the National Anthem prior to the Australia vs India match at the SCG on Saturday, January 12th.
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Carols By Candlelight – Melbourne Christmas Eve
Musical theatre performers dominated the line up for the traditional Carols by Candlelight in Melbourne on Christmas Eve. If you missed it, you can watch the full night’s entertainment here:
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CELEBRATIONS
Wedding: Andrea Arena
Congratulations to Andrea Arena (Aladdin, Grease) on her wedding to Shake and Stir Theatre Touring Company Manager Johnny Balbuziente on December 22nd, 2018. We wish you the best of futures together.
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Wedding: Shaun Rennie and Ben Gerrard
December 26th, 2018 saw director of The View Upstairs and Only Heaven Knows Shaun Rennie wed his now husband Ben Gerrard (American Psycho, I Am My Own Wife) in front of family and friends. Congratulations Shaun and Ben.
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Engagement: Jan Di Pietro and Suzie Melloy
Boxing Day also saw Jan Di Pietro (Dream Lover, Singin’ in the Rain) propose to his girlfriend Suzie Melloy (CATS, Anything Goes) in the NSW Northern Tablelands. We wish for you both the best and most beautiful years.
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OPENING SHOWS
NEW SOUTH WALES
Sydney Opera House: In the Heights (January 16th)
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QUEENSLAND
Brisbane Powerhouse: Sweet Charity (January 24th)
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SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Adelaide Entertainment Centre Theatre: Madiba (January 17th)
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VICTORIA
Princess Theatre: Harry Potter and the
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WESTERN AUSTRALIA
RAC Arena: Grease – The Arena Experience (January 19th)
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CLOSING SHOWS
NEW SOUTH WALES
Sydney Opera House: In the Heights (January 20th)
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SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Adelaide Entertainment Centre Theatre: Madiba (January 20th)
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VICTORIA
Arts Centre Melbourne- Playhouse: Peter Pan Goes Wron
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WESTERN AUSTRALIA
RAC Arena: Grease – The Arena Experience (January 19th)
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AUSSIES ABROAD
Ainsley Melham
Ainsley Melham is about to take on a whole new world as he takes on the role of Aladdin in the Broadway production of Aladdin. Melham starts in the role on February 19th. Congratulations and chookas Ainsley!
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Callum Francis
One of our favourite adopted Australian’s Callum Francis is taking his sparkling personality to Broadway as he commenced performances as Lola in Kinky Boots on January 11th. Congratulations from everyone at Theatre People Callum!
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Laura Greenhalgh
Congratulations to Brisbane performer Laura Greenhalgh (Garfield, Memphis) who will join the cast of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert 2019 cast aboard the Norwegian Epic. Happy Sails Laura!
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Trevor Ashley
Trevor Ashley’s “Liza’s Back (Is Broken)” will make its American debut at Sony Hall on February 4. The evening’s set goes beyond Liza’s existing catalog by featuring interpretations of songs from musicals Minnelli might have sung in her heyday, including “Sunset Boulevard” and “Wicked.”
Tickets are available from https://www.sonyhall.com/
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Heather Makalani
Many Australian performers have started 2019 with a bang and none more then Heather Makalani (previously Heather Manley) who soared above the stage of the New Amsterdam Theatre (Saturday, January 5th) making her Broadway debut as Princess Jasmine. We wish you many more magical adventures!
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Aladdin in NZ
The cast of Aladdin commenced their Auckland, NZ season this week with audiences already in love with the production. The Auckland season runs until March 3rd, 2019 before the magic sweeps over Adelaide in April.
Tickets are available from the below links-
AUCKLAND: https://www.aucklandlive.co.
ADELAIDE: https://www.bass.net.au/
