Here’s the latest news in the Weekly Wrap!
CURRENT SHOWS
NEW SOUTH WALES
Lyric Theatre: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
Roslyn Packer Theatre: Muriel’s Wedding
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QUEENSLAND
QPAC Lyric Theatre: The Wizard of Oz
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VICTORIA
Her Majesty’s Theatre: Aladdin
The Princess Theatre: The Book of Mormon
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WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND AUSTRALIAN THEATRES?
CAST ANNOUNCEMENTS
Darlinghurst Heights
The full cast has been announced for the 30th anniversary revival of Australian musical Darlinghurst Heights. Darlinghurst Heights will feature Baylie Carson (Dusty, Hello,Dolly!) as Mabel, Andrew Cutcliffe (Melba, Calendar Girls) as Frank, Natalie Gamsu (Ladies in Black, Strictly Ballroom) as Rose, Abe Mitchell (Paper Planet) as Spud, Billie Rose Prichard (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) as Cora, Sean O’Shea (Dinner, Rupert) as Ken and Justin Smith (Assassins, The Detective’s Handbook) as Joe.
Darlinghurst Nights explores the seductiveness of a life authentically lived, of a world where people can live without fear of intolerance amidst Sydney’s most colourful strip. Set during the 1920s and 30s, and inspired by Sydney poet Kenneth Slessor, writer Katherine Thomson (Diving For Pearls) and composer Max Lambert (Miracle City) capture a time when Kings Cross was the only place in Sydney where a person could live anonymously; where bohemian lifestyles were accepted and even encouraged.
The season runs from January 5th to 27th (excluding the 26th) . Tickets can be purchased from https://hayestheatre.com.
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Motown Live in Concert
After a sold out season, Motown Live returns for a one night only at Melbourne’s Chapel off Chapel on December 15th.The cast includes Duane McGregor (Grease, Starlight Express), Nik Murillo (Memphis), James Terry (Beauty and the Beast), Anna Francesca Armenia (The Color Purple, In The Heights), Jacqueline Irvine (The Cover Girls), and Rachel Bronca (The Cover Girls).
With tickets selling fast be sure not to miss your chance to see this fast pace, toe tapping events.
Tickets can be purchased from http://chapeloffchapel.com.au/
For further information on the show, tap on over to http://www.theatrepeople.com.
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OPENING NIGHTS
The Wizard of Oz – Brisbane Opening
Thursday, November 9th saw audience follow the yellow brick road into QPAC’s Lyric Theatre for the magic of the Australian Premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production of The Wizard of Oz. The audiences in Brisbane have been loving every moment of this much loved, multi- generational show which stars Jemma Rix, Lucy Durack, Anthony Warlow and introduces the talented Samantha Dodemaide as Dorothy Gale.
The Wizard of Oz has a limited season in Brisbane before flying into Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne. For tickets head to https://www.
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SHOW ANNOUNCEMENTS
Melbourne to do the Time Warp again!
Get ready to do the Time Warp again Melbournians! The Rocky Horror Show will play at Her Majesty’s Theatre from July 13th, 2018.
Featuring Craig McLachlan (The Rocky Horror Show, Dr Blake) as Frank N Furter, Kristian Lavercombe (Rocky Horror Show UK) as Riff Raff, Brendan Irving (The Bodyguard) as Rocky, Amanda Harrison (WICKED) as Magenta/ Usherette, Nadia Komazec (Matilda) as Columbia, Michelle Smitheram (Cabaret) as Janet and Rob Mallet (Singin’ in the Rain) as Brad , the much loved classic will be sure to have your toes tapping.
Tickets go on sale November 24th, tickets and further information can be found at https://rockyhorror.com.au
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Underground Broadway celebrates BRISmas!
December 4th will see Underground Broadway celebrate Christmas 2017 at The Paddo with BRISmas! Performers for this evening will be announced soon but with tickets guaranteed to sell out quickly, purchase yours from https://www.trybooking.com/
You can keep up to date with everything Underground Broadway at their new website https://www.undergroundbroadway.com
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American Song Cycle: A Double Bill
Lisa- Marie Parker (Blood Brothers) and John O’Hara (WICKED) feature in American Song Cycle: A Double Bill, a one night only event to be held at Melbourne’s Chapel off Chapel.
For further information and tickets go to http://chapeloffchapel.com.au/
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RENT– Brisbane
After a sell out season in February 2017, Jonathan Larson’s Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning musical RENT opens at QPAC’s Cremorne Theatre in May 2018. Tickets are on sale now at https://www.qpac.com.au/event/
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Show Queen
The November edition of Show Queen will take place at Gingers, Sydney on Sunday the 19th. This month’s lineup includes Trevor Ashley (Les Miserables), Naomi Price (Beautiful), Robert McDougall (Assassins), Sarah Murr (Les Miserables), Cameron MacDonald
Purchase your tickets for this evening from https://www.stickytickets.com.
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THIS WEEK IN MUSICAL THEATRE
The Wizard of Oz raises funds for the RSPCA
Audiences at last weekend’s charity dress rehearsal of The Wizard of Oz in Brisbane helped raise $30, 264.00 for RSPCA Queensland.
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Silvie Paladino releases a new Christmas CD
Talented performer Silvie Paladino has released a new Christmas CD titled O Holy Night. The CD is available on iTunes and from http://silviepaladino.com
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Making Muriel to air on ABC
After the success of her documentary Matilda & Me, Nel Minchin is back in the director’s chair with her new documentary, Making Muriel. Making Muriel follows the journey of bringing Muriel’s Wedding to the Australian Stage. From the very first auditions to the final casting decisions audiences have the opportunity to see the hard work and passion that has gone into turning this iconic story into a hit on stage.
The ABC are airing the documentary on Sunday, November 26th at 7:30pm
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OPENING SHOWS
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
Canberra Theatre Centre: Mamma Mia ! (November 24th)
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NEW SOUTH WALES
Capitol Theatre: The Wizard of Oz (December 30th)
Hayes Theatre: High Fidelity (November 18th)
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QUEENSLAND
QPAC Lyric Theatre: Mamma Mia! (December 26th)
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VICTORIA
Arts Centre: Dream Lover (December 27th)
MC Showroom: The Last Five Years (November 21st)
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CLOSING SHOWS
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
Canberra Theatre Centre: Mamma Mia! (December 17th)
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NEW SOUTH WALES
Hayes Theatre: High Fidelity (December 17th)
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QUEENSLAND
QPAC Lyric Theatre: The Wizard of Oz (December 3rd)
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VICTORIA
MC Showroom: The Last Five Years (November 26th)
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AUSSIES ABROAD
King Kong stomps onto Broadway
The dream of taking King Kong to Broadway is finally happening. Previews commence at The Broadway Theatre on October 5th with the official opening on November 8th. Theatre People sat down with Carmen Pavlovic, CEO of Global Creatures to discuss what it takes to achieve this dream. The interview can be found at http://www.theatrepeople.com.
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David Harris
David Harris (Legally Blonde, WICKED) has been nominated for a Broadway World regional Connecticut Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his role in Next to Normal. Next to Normal ran at TheaterWorks in Hartford from March 24th to May 14th, 2017.
Congratulations David!
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Anna O’Byrne
A recording of ‘I Believe My Heart’, a song from act 1 of The Woman in White
The Woman in White – http://thewomaninwhite.co.uk
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Lauren Ashlea Fraser
Congratulations to Brisbane performer Lauren Ashlea Fraser
The show also will feature live musicians, an onstage choir and dancers as part of a charity benefit.
Further information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/
