The Mystery in Musicals

MI Ticket Giveaway- Oliver! in Sydney

2012-01-20T00:04:00.000-08:00

The Musicals Insider is excited to announce it's first ever ticket giveaway.

We have 1 double pass to give away for the new pro-am Oliver! at Riverside Theatres in Sydney, presented by Packemin Productions.

In the leading roles are Wayne Scott Kermond as Fagin, Todd Keys (Phantom, Zhivago) as Bill Sikes and Katie McKee (My Fair Lady, Floyd Collins) as Nancy. They are joined by the adorable Damian Hempstead as Oliver and a supporting cast of almost 100.

We have one double pass for either Friday the 3rd of Feb 7:30, Saturday the 4th of Feb at 7:30 and Sunday the 5th of Feb at 3:00.

To go into the draw for the double pass, tweet us the answer to the following question:

What was the name of the recent BBC series to find a Nancy for the West End, and who was the eventual winner?

Entries close at 10pm on Wednesday the 25th of Jan, with the winner drawn and notified on Australia Day. Make sure you are following us at @MusicalsInsider

Good Luck!

If you would like to get us to organise a ticket giveaway for your show, please contact us at MysteriousMusicals@gmail.com

Major Musicals Movements

2011-11-16T19:54:00.001-08:00

With several new announcements and developments recently, it is time for our favourite segment: Major Musicals Update!

Currently Running:
Rock Of Ages: 1 month in Brisbane, then unknown
Mary Poppins: Brisbane season, then Perth and Asia
Love Never Dies: 3 months in Syd then closing
Jersey Boys: New Zealand before Australian Capitals

Opening 2012
Annie: East coast and Perth tour, Adelaide TBC
A Chorus Line: Adelaide & Melbourne, then probably tour
An Officer & A Gentleman: Sydney & Melbourne
Legally Blonde: Sydney from September
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: No official date as yet
South Pacific: Australian Tour
Strange Bedfellows (hopefully...)

Opening 2013
Addams Family: Sydney March, followed by tour to all Australian Capitals
Strictly Ballroom: Sydney September
Ghost: Melbourne August
King Kong: Melbourne's Regent
The Lion King: Sydney's Capitol

Still rumoured:
Sister Act
Book of Mormon
Shrek
Les Mis

Theatre-by-Theatre

Sydney:
Opera House
South Pacific: August- September 2012

Capitol Theatre
Love Never Dies: from the 8th of January - April 1st 2012

Next to Normal: Late 2012
Addams Family: March 2013

Lion King: December 2013

Lyric Theatre
Annie: 28th of December - 28th of March 2012
An Officer & A Gentleman: May - August (TBC) 2012
Legally Blonde: Late September 2012 onwards
Strictly Ballroom: September 2013

Royal
Nothing at this stage, possibly A Chorus Line or Rock of Ages

Melbourne

Theatres TBA
South Pacific
Legally Blonde
Strange Bedfellows

Regent Theatre
Annie: 24th of May - July 2012
King Kong: Early 2013

Her Majesty's Theatre
A Chorus Line: 4th of February to the 10th of March

An Officer & A Gentleman: Depending on success of Sydney, approx August/September
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: Late 2012 TBC
Ghost: August 2013

The Princess Theatre
Moonshadow: May 2012

Brisbane
QPAC
Mary Poppins: 27th of December - March 2012, approx 12 weeks
Annie: April 7th - Mid May 2012
Opera Australia Season: May - June

Jersey Boys - July

South Pacific 2012

Perth
Burswood Theatre
Mary Poppins: from March 2012

Annie: Dates TBA, from August 2012 most likely
Jersey Boys: TBA

Adelaide
Festival Theatre
A Chorus Line: December 31st - January 2012
Jersey Boys: TBA
South Pacific: TBA

Full cast of A Chorus Line

2011-10-26T20:04:00.000-07:00

The full cast of the upcoming production of A Chorus Line has been revealed, with a mix of well known performers and up and coming performers.

Zach: Josh Horner
Larry: Gerrard Carter
Don: Mark Hill
Maggie: Stephanie Grigg
Mike: James Maxfield
Connie: Leah Lim
Greg: Rohan Browne
Cassie: Anita Louise Combe
Sheila: Debora Kirzak
Dianna: Karlee Misipeka
Bobby: Ashley McKenzie
Bebe: Monique Salle
Judy: Renee Armstrong
Al: Will Centurion
Kristine: Sian Johnson
Val: Hayley Winch
Mark: Scott Morris
Paul: Euan Doidge
Roy: Mitchell Hicks
Tom: Jakob Ambrose
Frank: Mark Strom
Butch: Joel Hewlett
Lois: Samantha Dodemaide
Vicky: Amber Jean Thomas
Trisha: Meghan O'Shea

Alice Ramshaw - Dance Captain

Heath Keating - Swing

Producer: Tim Lawson
Director/Choreographer: Baayork Lee
Musical Director: Peter Casey

Congratulations to everyone. The show opens on New Year's Eve in Adelaide, then moving to Melbourne on the 4th of Feburary.

Mini shows updates.

2011-10-16T19:55:00.000-07:00

Just for some quick news on several shows.

The cast of the Adelaide and Melbourne seasons of A Chorus Line is to be announced very soon, but it has been revealed Debora Krizak will play Sheila, with Josh Horner to play Zack, Renee Armstrong as Judy Turner and Anita Louise Coombe as Cassie. Rehearsals start in November.
The show will play from New Year's Eve in Adelaide before transferring to Melbourne's Her Majesty's Theatre from early February 2012.

Mary Poppins last night bid farewell to four cast members - Christina Tan, Justin Anderson, Troy Sussman and Anna Lee Robertson. Taking their places are Jodie Harris, Glen Oliver, David Spencer and Jennifer Peers respectively. Natalie Gamsu will soon be taking over the role of Miss Andrew from Judi Connolli and Monica Swayne (Swing/Mary understudy) will also be joining the company in the near future.

At Love Never Dies, Ben Lewis is back playing the Phantom after a recent illness following the DVD filming. During this time both of his understudies, Matt McFarlane and Tod Strike have been playing the coveted role.

Legally Blonde has been pushed back to September 2012 and is now expected to play in the Lyric theatre, after speculation it would play the Capitol. A formal announcement of casting is not expected to be made until February.

The Addams Family and King Kong are both currently auditioning, with King Kong looking for more cast members for their Workshops and possible future seasons. Esther Hannaford and Queenie van de Zandt are both participating in the current workshop.

Addams Family is currently auditioning for leads for their 2013 season. Ensemble auditions are not until mid 2012.

The Asian tour of Wicked is in negotiation with Equity regarding contracts and conditions. This follows an unfortunate trend of sub-standard tours through Asian countries. A tour of Kiss Me Kate earlier this year ended abruptly when producers went bankrupt, owing artists many performance fees.

Joining the cast will be Glen Hogstrom as Dr. Dillamond and Anne Wood as Madame Morrible. Joining the ensemble is Justin Anderson, straight from Mary Poppins, Luigi Lucente from Jersey Boys, Chris Scalzo from Zhivago and Claire George as ensemble/Glinda understudy. Former ensemble member Deanna O'Leary is also rejoining the company for the tour, again the ensemble.

An Officer and A Gentleman Official Casting

2011-09-26T02:59:00.000-07:00

The casting for An Officer and A Gentleman was officially announced today.
Several of the names mentioned in our August casting blog post have succeeded in winning roles.

These include Ben Mingay and Amanda Harrison in the lead roles of Zack Mayo and Paula Pokrifki respectively. Kate Kendall and Alex Rathgeber were also announced as landing roles. Ensemble casting will be announced soon, but we understand Bert La Bonte will play the role he originated in the workshop, that of Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley.
Zahra Newman has also been cast in the ensemble.

Mary Poppins Cast Updates

2011-09-26T02:12:00.000-07:00

This week is set to be a busy one on Cherry Tree Lane.

6 months into the Sydney season and it is time for a significant cast change.

As we have reported earlier, Verity Hunt-Ballard is taking time off in order to recover from an injury. We believe it is a repetitive strain injury (RSI) to her shoulder caused from the harness required to fly and constant use of the umbrella.
Scarlett Strallen has been flown in to help out before the Brisbane season. She watched a performance last weekend and will start rehearsals this week.
She will play the leading role between Wednesday the 5th of October and Sunday the 27th of November.

Marina Prior has now left the company, with Pippa Grandison taking over as Mrs Banks, playing her first 'unofficial' performance last week.

Several ensemble changes are also about to happen.
Glen Oliver will come from Wicked to replace Justin Anderson, with Justin heading on the Wicked Asian tour.

Jennifer Peers will replace Anna Lee Robertson as Miss Lark, understudying Miss Andrew

David Spencer will replace Troy Sussman as Von Hussler, also understudying Mr Banks and the Park Keeper.

Jodie Harris is replacing Christina Tan in the ensemble, as well as Mrs Banks, Miss Lark and Bird Woman understudies.
Monica Swayne will be an onstage swing and new understudy for Mary Poppins.

And finally Philip Quast has been cast in Yes, Prime Minister, so will also not be continuing on the Australian Tour.

Trouble on Cherry Tree Lane

2011-09-18T17:24:00.000-07:00

Mary Poppins star Verity-Hunt Ballard has injured herself. The full implications of her injury are unknown, however it is a shoulder injury and was not sustained during a specific performance. She will be taking a period of time off from the show to attempt to fully recover before the tour. It is believed a performer from the West End will be flown in to help out during this time. Once her replacement has been rehearsed, Verity will most likely not be performing in the show for the next 6 weeks.

Marina Prior is also set to leave the show on Sunday the 25th of September, with Pippa Grandison replacing her for the remainder of the Australian tour.

Edit: We have now been informed that Scarlett Strallen will be the one flown in to perform while Verity is recovering.

Another Musicals Update

2011-09-05T03:23:00.000-07:00

Hairspray will be closing on the 25th of September, 2 weeks earlier than initially announced. The show has been playing to houses of 400-500 people, well under their capacity of about 2,000. Cheap seats are now available everywhere, go and see it before it's too late.
While producers are looking to tour the show internationally, for now the show will go into storage.

An adaption of Doctor Zhivago is currently auditioning for a Korean language version. The show will be adapted and recast for performance in Korean. Us here at the MI are just very glad we don't have to do a Russian accent in Korean...

The King Kong workshop had a setback recently when the rig collapsed. It is not believed anyone was injured, however it is inconvenient. The workshop was held recently, with Lisa-Marie Parker in the lead role of Anne.

A new musical, Dream Lover, based on the life of Bobby Darin is in workshops this week, being directed by Simon Phillips. Actors in the workshop include Hugh Sheridan as Bobby, Christy Sullivan, Robert Grubb, Sheridan Harbridge, Trisha Noble, Christen O'Leary

Legally Blonde casting is still underway, however quite a few roles and most of the ensemble has now been cast. There are quite a few performers also currently on hold for it. A formal cast announcement will not be made until February. The venue for the show has been subject to much rumour of late. It is becoming more and more likely to play in the Lyric theatre instead of the Capitol.

Rock of Ages will be closing on Sunday the 6th of November in Melbourne. It will do a very quick turnaround to get into QPAC in Brisbane by the 12th. It will play about a month in Brisbane moving into Sydney's Royal from about the 14th of January.

Love Never Dies will close on he 18th of December, with final tickets on sale now. It will open in Sydney's Capitol on Friday the 13th of January. The cast and creatives are getting ready for a DVD recording of the show to happen next week.

As we tweeted several months ago Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is expected to open in Melbourne in late 2012, produced by Tim Lawson.
Tim is currently auditioning for A Chorus Line, which is expected to open in Adelaide late 2011.
Sister Act will also make it's Australian premiere in Melbourne in 2012, according to Theatrepeople.com.au

John Frost announced the full cast of Annie earlier this week. It includes Lisa Bluthal, Tony Farrell, Anna Freeland, Todd Goddard, Emma Hawthorne, Luke Joslin, Jayde Kirchert, James Lee, Samantha Riley, Stephanie Silcock, Brianne Turk, Rod Waterworth, Jack Webster and Matt Young.
This is in addition to the other cast members already announced: Anthony Warlow, Nancy Hayes, Todd McKenny, Chloe Dallimore, Julie Goodwin and Alan Jones.
It will open in Brisbane in April and Melbourne's Regent Theatre in May 2012.

September will see the release of both the MTC and STC seasons. Rumour suggests STC will possibly picking up the MTC's production of Next to Normal. STC will be launched on the 23rd of September and MTC on the 27th of September.

Mary Poppins will close on the 17th of December in Sydney before a 6 month tour to Brisbane and Perth. An international tour is on the cards but Adelaide is not expected to have a season at this stage.

And finally Wicked will play it's last Australian show this Sunday evening, 3 years after first opening in Melbourne. The show will head to Singapore in December.

An Officer and a Gentleman casting

2011-08-25T02:13:00.000-07:00

An Officer and a Gentleman casting is close to being finalised.

While we do not have any solid news, rumour has it Amanda Harrison, Josh Piterman, Ben Mingay, Bert La Bonte and Chrystal De Grussa are all in contention for roles.

Sydney Annie Cast, Melbourne and Brisbane Auditions

2011-08-25T02:08:00.000-07:00

The children's cast for the Sydney seaso of the musical Annie was announced today.
The lead role of Annie will be shared between Marley Aspinall, Siena Elchaar and Ella Nicol.
The rest of the orphans will be rotated between:
Skye Azzopardi, Gemma Bell, Keira Bellifemine, Ayanda Dlada, Jade Gillis, Zoe Ioannou, Alessandra Kitinas, Isabel Kratz, Jordan Lazarus, Lucille Le Meledo, Savannah Lind, Emily McKay, Antonia Marinovic, Natasha Mills, Imogen Ovijach, Jessica Percy, Emily Roach, , Maddison Smith-Catlin, Morgan Townsend, Kirsten Tsoltoudis and Ella Williams.

The Gordon Frost organisation are also taking expressions of interest for auditionees for the Melbourne and Brisbane seasons. Interested applicants should get their singing/dance schools to email Suzanne Jones, suzanne@gordonfrost.com.au with their details.
Adelaide auditions will be held at a later date.
Proper audition briefs will be send out later in the year, but below are the relevant details from the Sydney brief:

"The Producers for this new production of Annie are looking for girls aged between 6 and 13
to undertake the roles of the “ORPHANS and ANNIE” for the [Brisbane and Melbourne Seasons]

The vocal range required is Low B to High F#

Sheet music will not be required as all Auditionees will be taught a small section from the production.

Dance training is essential!"

The Rob Guest Endowment Concert 2011

2011-08-22T21:48:00.001-07:00

In what has turned into an annual theatrical tradition, this year's Rob Guest Endowment concert will again be held at Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne.

On Monday the 10th of October, seasoned Musical Theatre performers and industry names will perform in a gala concert, while 6 up and coming performers will battle it out to win this year's Endowment competition.

Those 6 finalists are Blake Bowden, Gretel Scarlett, Ashlea Pyke, Luigi Lucente, Kirby Lunn and Jamie Ward.
All finalists have a wealth of performance experience with most presently being involved in 'major' musicals and having trained in Australia's most elite institutions.

Blake Bowden
Studying at The McDonald College of Performing Arts, Blake has also spent time at NIDA and graduated from Sydney University. Professional theatre credits include Dirty Dancing, The Boy From Oz, Jekyll and Hide and the recent Australian tour of West Side Story. Blake has recently finished appearing in the Australasian tour of The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and is currently performing in A Midsummer Night's Dream with Belvoir Street.

Gretel Scarlett
Gretel is an exceptionally talented WAAPA graduate. She made her professional Musical Theatre debut in Breast Wishes, originating the role of Sal. She then went on to perform in the recent 10th anniversary tour of Mamma Mia! She is currently performing in Wicked in Perth and will continue on to the Asian tour as an Elphaba understudy.

Ashlea Pyke
Ashley has been training for a performance career from an early age, specialising in dance. Professional Theatre credits include We Will Rock You, Oklahoma! with the Production Company, Shane Warne the Musical and Shout!
Ashlea is currently appearing in Hairspray, where she plays the role of Tammy, while understudying the lead roles of Penny Pingleton and the Female Authority Figure.

Luigi Lucente

Luigi trained at the Melba Conservatorium of Music and later graduated from the Industry School of Dance. Theatre Credits include Guys and Dolls, Urinetown, tick,tick…BOOM!, Brundibar (Opera Australia), King of SUN, The Wild Blue and The Silver Donkey. Luigi has also worked in Film and TV.
He is currently appearing in Jersey Boys in Sydney, as a Swing.

Kirby Lunn
Kirby's past theatre credits include Eurobeat with QPAC and various concert performances.
Kirby is currently in the ensemble of Hairspray playing Linda and is also the understudy for Tracy Turnblad.

Jamie Ward
Jamie graduated from WAAPA's Musical Theatre stream in 2010. Theatre credits while at WAAPA include King Arthur, 42nd Street, Company, Anything Goes and Ragtime. He has also performed Spring Awakening with STC. Jamie has just completed a the premiere Australian tour of the new musical Doctor Zhivago, playing the roles of Young Yurii and Yanko.

Also performing at the event will be Wicked stars Lucy Durack, David Harris, Rob Mills and Amanda Harrison, Esther Hannaford from Hairspray, last year's winner Francine Cain as well as performers from Love Never Dies, Rock of Ages and Strange Bedfellows.
The evening will again hosted by Bert Newton, with live auctions to be held during the evening as a fundraiser.

All of us here at the Musicals Insider will be live tweeting the event for anyone who can't make it, using the hashtag #RGE2011

Tickets are on sale now through ticketek.

An Officer and a Gentleman

2011-08-14T17:48:00.000-07:00

The brand new Musical adaption of An Officer and a Gentleman was officially launched in Sydney this morning, fittingly on the flight deck of HMAS Sydney. The show focuses on the story of Zack Mayo, a young trainee pilot in the Navy. The show explores the relationships Zack develops with a girl called Paula and his tough training officer, Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley.
The show will open on the 24th of May 2012 in Sydney's Lyric theatre.

A workshop of the show was originally held in 2009 with many now well known Musical Theatre stars such as Josh Piterman, Chris Durling and Bert LaBonte.

As callbacks were only held approximately two weeks ago, casting announcements are not expected to be made for several weeks yet.

The original creative team comprised of book writers Douglas Day Stewart and Sharleen Cooper Cohen, with music and lyrics by Kenneth W. Hirsch and Robin Lerner.

the Australian creative team is as follows:
Director: Simon Phillips
Assistant Director: Dean Bryant
Musical Director: Dave Skelton
Choreographer: Andrew Halsworth
Orchestrator: Spud Murphy
Designer: Dale Ferguson

Wicked Asian Tour Dates

2011-08-09T04:51:00.000-07:00

The dates for the Asian tour of Wicked are as follows:

Singapore December 2011
Korea June 2012- September 2012
Taipei October 2012 - TBC, though it appears this has fallen through at the last minute.

before heading to New Zealand in 2013.

Helpmann Awards 2011 - Full List of Winners

2011-08-01T05:46:00.000-07:00

Here is a full list of awards presented at the 2011 Helpmann Awards on Monday the 1st of August, 2011.

Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Philip Quast
Mary Poppins
Disney and Cameron Mackintosh

Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Esther Hannaford
Hairspray
Paul Dainty, Dainty Group & Joel Pearlman, Roadshow Live

Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play
Anthony Phelan
The Wild Duck
Belvoir

Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play
Anita Hegh
The Wild Duck
Belvoir

Best Male Performer in a Supporting Role in an Opera
Kanen Breen
Partenope
Opera Australia

Best Female Performer in a Supporting Role in an Opera
Elizabeth Campbell
Aida
State Opera of South Australia

Best Comedy Performer
Denise Scott
Denise Scott Regrets
Token Events

Best Cabaret Performer
Eddie Perfect
Misanthropology
Sydney Festival

Best Costume Design
Gabriela Tylesova
Love Never Dies
The Really Useful Company Asia Pacific and Arts Capital Trust

Best Scenic Design
Gabriela Tylesova
Love Never Dies
The Really Useful Company Asia Pacific and Arts Capital Trust

Best Lighting Design
Nick Schlieper
Love Never Dies
The Really Useful Company Asia Pacific and Arts Capital Trust

Best Sound Design
Peter Grubb
Mary Poppins
Disney and Cameron Mackintosh

Best Original Score
Alan John
The Diary of a Madman
Belvoir

Best Individual Classical Performance
Sir Simon Rattle
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Sydney Opera House and the Perth Concert Hall

Best Chamber &/or Instrumental Ensemble Concert
Garrick Ohlsson in recital as part of the Sydney Symphony International Pianists in Recital Series
Sydney Symphony

Best Symphony Orchestra Concert
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Sydney Opera House and the Perth Concert Hall

Best Music Direction
Stephen Brooker and Michael Tyack
Mary Poppins
Disney and Cameron Mackintosh

Best New Australian Work
Tim Minchin & Sydney Symphony
Tim Minchin Vs Sydney Symphony
Sydney Symphony , Fox in the Snow and Smart Artists Management

Best Presentation for Children
Me and My Shadow
Patch Theatre Company

Best International Contemporary Concert
Leonard Cohen @ Hanging Rock
Leonard Cohen and Frontier Touring Company

Best Contemporary Music Festival
Splendour In the Grass 2010
Village Sounds and Secret Service

Best Regional Touring Production
Mathinna
Bangarra Dance Theatre

Best Australian Contemporary Concert
Powderfinger – Sunsets The Farewell Tour
Powderfinger and Secret Service & Village Sounds

Best Choreography in a Dance or Physical Theatre Production
Natalie Weir
Where the Heart Is
Expressions Dance Company and Queensland Performing Arts Centre

Best Choreography in a Musical
Matthew Bourne and Stephen Mear
Mary Poppins
Disney and Cameron Mackintosh

Best Direction of a Musical
Richard Eyre and Matthew Bourne
Mary Poppins
Disney and Cameron Mackintosh

Best Direction of an Opera
Nigel Jamieson
La Fanciulla del West
Opera Australia

Best Direction of a Play
Neil Armfield
The Diary of a Madman
Belvoir

Best Male Dancer in a Dance or Physical Theatre Production
Paul White
In Glass
Sydney Opera House & Artful Management

Best Female Dancer in a Dance or Physical Theatre Production
Kristina Chan
In Glass
Sydney Opera House & Artful Management

Best Male Performer in an Opera
John Wegner
La Fanciulla del West
Opera Australia

Best Female Performer in an Opera
Emma Matthews
Partenope
Opera Australia

Best Male Actor in a Musical
Matt Lee
Mary Poppins
Disney and Cameron Mackintosh

Best Female Actor in a Musical
Verity Hunt-Ballard
Mary Poppins
Disney and Cameron Mackintosh

Best Male Actor in a Play
Geoffrey Rush
The Diary of a Madman
Belvoir

Best Female Actor in a Play
Cate Blanchett
Uncle Vanya
Sydney Theatre Company in association with Bell Shakespeare

Best Visual or Physical Theatre Production
Not in a Million Years
Force Majeure

Best Ballet or Dance Work
Where the Heart Is
Expressions Dance Company and Queensland Performing Arts Centre

Best Opera
Partenope
Opera Australia

Best Play
The Wild Duck
Belvoir

Best Musical
Mary Poppins
Disney and Cameron Mackintosh

JC Williamson Award: Nancy Hayes, Jill Perryman and Toni Lamond.

Melbourne Open House Weekend

2011-07-29T06:30:00.001-07:00

Each year, the city of Melbourne put on an Open House weekend. This is a weekend where many of the city's buildings that are otherwise inaccessible to the general public, are opened up for display. This year, Many of Melbourne's important theatre buildings will be available to explore.

Highlights include Her Majesty's Theatre full backstage and front of house tours, the Melbourne Athenaeum, the Trades Hall, the Malthouse Theatre, the Melbourne Recital Centre and an opportunity to have the first look at the redevelopment of Hamer Hall.

This event will be held this weekend - Saturday the 30th and Sunday the 31st of July, with most things being open from 10am-4pm. A perfect thing to do just prior to seeing Love Never Dies or Rock of Ages!

For more details and opening hours, please visit:
Melbourne Open House

Plagiarism...

2011-07-29T06:19:00.000-07:00

It has come to our attention that there are certain theatre websites practically copying and pasting our blog posts without giving us credit or acknowledgement for it.

All of us here at the Musicals Insider spent quite a lot of time researching and writing up information in order to keep all of you readers as up to date with the theatre scene as possible.
The theatre industry is by nature full of gossip, rumour and speculation. We can be wrong on occasion, but for the most part we try to bring accurate infomation into the open.

When websites don't acknowledge us as their source this creates a Chinese Whisper effect, defying the purpose of what we have set out to do through this blog.
It's not hard to do, simply mention us when using our information. Most people seem capable of doing it, it's just a few ruining it for everyone else.
Thank-you all for your understanding.

Major Musicals Mayhem

2011-07-28T22:41:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's that time of year again, time for a summary of all the major shows. The next couple of months are going to be interesting in Musical Theatre, with most of the major shows traversing across the country or even ocean.
One interesting trend with shows at the moment is the revival of New Zealand as a viable tour destination, with both Wicked and Jersey Boys crossing the ditch. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues.

Mary Poppins
The show will be at the Capitol Theatre until the 17th of Decmeber. It will then transfer to QPAC in Brisbane, with previews starting from the 27th of December. After Brisbane it will head to Perth. After that there are rumours of a return Melbourne season or an international tour.
The Sydney season has seen the first of cast members leaving, with ensemble members Jack Webster and Louise Bell the first to go. Auditions are cureently being jold for another ensemble member, with spmeone else expected to leave soon also.

Rock of Ages
Rock of Ages has announced it's last weeks in Melbourne. Although a closing date has yet to be confirmed, the first week of November seems to be a likely candidate. The show is transferring to Brisbane in November, with previews starting from the 12th. It is in for a very short season however, as Poppins will need the theatre from roughly the 20th of December to bump in. After this, it will head to Sydney's Royal from
mid January

Wicked
Musical juggernaut Wicked has recently celebrated it's 3rd birthday in Australia. The Perth season will close on the 11th of September. This show will also be original Glinda Lucy Durack's final performance with the show. The show is set to tour through Asia next year and New Zealand in 2013. It is unknown exactly which cast members will continue with the show, but expect to see quite a turnover of approximately half the cast.

Jersey Boys
Jersey Boys will close in Sydney on the 18th of December before transferring to New Zealand. A return to Australia is most likely once the theaters become available.

Doctor Zhivago
Doctor Zhivago will close in Brisbane on the 14th of August. It is believed some minor reworking of the show will be done ahead of the show being taken internationally, while Anthony Warlow is busy performing in Annie. The show is rumoured to then head to Korea and then to London with Warlow still at the helm.

Love Never Dies
Love Never Dies will close in Melbourne on the 17th of December before opening at Sydney's Capitol Theatre at the start of the year. It will have a maximum 6 month run, as Legally Blonde will open in June.
A live recording of the show will also happen in September, with plans for an international DVD release.

King Kong
King Kong is in workshops in Sydney at the moment, with rumours for a 2012 Opening in Melbourne's Regent Theatre

Hairspray
The fate of Hairspray is as yet unknown. The season again seems to be struggling with poor ticket sales, just as in Melbourne. The show will close in Sydney on the 25th of September. Other major cities in Australia will not host the production at this point.

Annie
Annie casting is still being finalised, as there is such a wide range of young children required. The season will open in Sydney's Lyric theatre in late December for a 12 week season. An Australian tour will then happen, heading to Brisbane in April and Melbourne mid year.

Strange Bedfellows
Strange Bedfellows will be opening in Melbourne on the 26th of October, with previews from the 19th. Despite only a 2 week season and the pulling power of Peter Cousens, John Wood, Melissa Langton and Lucy Durack, ticket sales look very sluggish. This may
affect plans for an Australian tour.

An Officer & A Gentleman
An Officer And a Gentleman is currently auditioning in Melbourne. Sydney's first round auditions were held last week with callbacks to happen next week. The show is expected to open in Sydney's Lyric in May 2012.

Upcoming:
Legally Blonde will open in June 2012 at Sydney's Capitol Theatre, however there are rumours this will be moved to the Lyric or Royal instead.
The Addams Family will open early 2013 at the Capitol
Strictly Ballrooms will open at the Lyric in September 2013.

Rumour files

We are hearing about many rumoured shows. These include Shrek, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Sister Act, 9 to 5, South Pacific, The Lion King, Dreamgirls, La Cage Aux Folles, Ghost, Warhorse (technically a play) and Book of Mormon. We have nothing to substantiate these rumours at the moment.

One rumour we have found very interesting is that South Pacific will be put on by Opera Australia. We have heard John Frost has expressed interest in mounting a version similar to the Lincoln centre's production, but an Opera Australia production seems more likely.

A Les Miserables tour looks less and less likely to happen, with producers citing theatre availabilities and generating funding as problems.

Mary Poppins Cancellation Update

2011-07-28T17:10:00.000-07:00

We have received more information this morning about last night's Mary Poppins cancellation. This is what we have been informed occurred last night.

The cancellation was due to a problem with the show's central automation track - the track that the giant Banks' house slides backwards and forwards on.

It is understood the first show stop came midway through Act 1. There is a scene where a London park transforms into the Banks' household, just after finishing Jolly Holiday. When the house moved forward, there was something stuck in the automation track. According to twitter user @DaveRobuck, " when the house moved forward after jolly holiday, it came off the rails n shook violently"

As a result when the Banks' children came downstairs to say goodnight, it was discovered there was significant damage to the middle of the top of the house, especially around the 'fold' areas. Hence Philip Quast called a show stop.

The second show stop occurred soon after. There is a scene in which the front of the house closes up and it turns around to reveal a kitchen at the back, in which the Spoonful of Sugar scene happens. The house did not revolve at this point.

By this stage it was 10pm and only 30 minutes of the show had been completed. The show runs for roughly 2 hours and 15 minutes, excluding a 20 minute interval.
When the extend of the problem was discovered, the decision was made to cancel the remainder of the show for the safety and well-being of the audience, cast and crew.

This is the first time in Australia this has happened.
Mechanics are working throughout today trying to fix the problem.

While we are waiting on official confirmation, it is believed this evening's show will go ahead as planned.
Ticketholders for this evening's performance should presume the show is going ahead and proceed to the theatre for this evening 8pm show, unless told otherwise.

Ticketholders from last night's performance should be contacted by their ticket outlet to organise a refund or an exchange for another evening. Please be patient however, as there are roughly 2,000 tickets to sort out.

We will bring you more information as we get it.

Mary Poppins Children's Audition Information

2011-07-24T20:40:00.000-07:00

AUDITION DATES

Brisbane Tuesday 23 – Thursday 25 August

Sydney Friday 26 – Sunday 28 August

Melbourne Tuesday 30 August – Thursday 1 September

CHILDREN’S ROLES

JANE BANKS

Pretty and attractive girl. Exuberant but wilful. Occasionally inclined to snobbishness. Must be

able to sing well and dance. Jane is the older sister to Michael.

Height range: Must be between 125cm – 148cm.

Age range: 10 – 13 years old. Must be 10 years old as at 1 November 2011.

MICHAEL BANKS

Cute and cheeky. Excitable. Naughty. Adores his Father and tries to be like him. Must be able to

sing (voice can’t have broken) and have basic dance. Michael is the younger brother to Jane.

Height range: Must not be taller than 138cm.

Age range: 10 – 12 years old. Must be 10 years old as at 1 November 2011.

Please note:

We are prepared to see children who will turn 10 years old between 1 November 2011 and 30 April 2012, however this would be for the purpose of future recasting only – these children would not be eligible for the initial casting.

IMPORTANT NOTES

Children must be available across all audition dates in the city they are seen in should they be called back
Suggestions must include date of birth (not age) and current height (in centimetres)
PLEASE INCLUDE ON YOUR INFORMATION A CONTACT EMAIL, PHONE NUMBER AND PARENT/GARDIANS NAME
Birth certificates must be provided on the day of auditions
There is no flexibility on the age or height requirements due to legal and creative reasons
Rehearsals will begin in Sydney at the end of October 2011 and go through until December 2011
Performances will commence in Brisbane in January 2012

TOURING COMMITMENTS

All children selected must be prepared to tour and work in cities other than their homebase
The contract to be offered will require a minimum commitment in Australia of up to 6 months
It is possible that successful children will be required to travel with a parent or a guardian on this tour
It is also possible that children may be housed and looked after by the production
Children will need to continue their educational requirements through Distance Education, under the guidance of a tutor employed by The Walt Disney Company.

It is vital that parents take all of these scenarios into consideration when deciding to submit their child for an audition.

Please post all submissions to: Mary Poppins, PO Box 123 Montmorency VIC 3094

All submissions should include:

One photo

A brief resume

Date of Birth (not age)

Height (in centimetres)

Address

Parent/guardian names

Parent/guardian contact phone number

Parent/guardian contact email address

The deadline for submissions and hard copies of biog/headshots is Friday 12 August, 2011.

Twisted Broadway 2011 Set List & Summary

2011-07-18T21:48:00.000-07:00

Twisted Broadway 2011 was held last night, July 18th at Fed Square's BMW Edge.
Twisted Broadway is primarily a fundraiser, with all money raised going towards Oz Showbiz Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The concept is unusual but inspired, with Males singing Musical Theatre songs written for females, and vice versa.
Initiated in Australia last year, this year's event proved to be on a much larger scale than last year's cabaret at Red Bennies, with producers opting for a theatre venue.

Twisted Broadway is sure to become a staple on the theatrical calendar, displaying the creme de la creme of Australia's Musical Theatre talent, though not necessarily the biggest names, while raising money for charity. The evening will be remembered for a long time by anyone lucky enough to be in attendance. The full set list can be found below:

Act 1:
Opening Number: Cell Block Tango
Ensemble of 7 including Ellen Simpson, Adam Rennie and Travis Khan, Matt Holly, Matt McFarlane, Todd Strike and Ray Balisoro
John O’Hara: Easy to be Hard from Hair
Stephanine Grigg: King of the World from Songs for a New World
Rachael Dunham: Maria from West Side Story. She first tells a moving story of her father’s death from Aids. Dedicates the song to him.
Ed Grey: Meadowlark from The Baker’s Wife
Troy Sussman and David Rogers-Smith: I Know Him So Well from Chess
Anthony Costanzo accompanying himself on piano: Memory from Cats
Francine Cain & Madeline Cain: Agony from Into The Woods
Gareth Keegan: Life of the Party from The Wild Party
Michael Falzon: Send in the Clowns from A Little Night Music
Angela Scundi: Great Big Stuff from Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
VCA ensemble,Zoy Frangos, Eva Lever, Chris Ostrenski, James Padley, Josh Robson and Jayden White: Mama who Bore Me from Spring Awakening
Lisa Adams as Amy Housewine – If I only Had Cocaine (Parody of If I only had a brain)

Act 2:
Sam Hagen: Heaven on their Minds from Jesus Christ Superstar
Ellen Simpson, Mel Hawkins, Kristy Mackenzie: Do it like a Dude dance number, Choreographed by Ashley Mackenzie
Christy Sullivan: This is not over yet from Parade
Matthew Robinson with a song from his new Revue, Sing on through Tomorrow
Sam Ludeman: Always True to you darling in my fashion from Kiss Me Kate
Adam Rennie & Drew Weston: Tomorrow and Maybe from Annie
Gillian Cosgriff: Hero and Leander from Myths and Hyms
Ed Grey &Stephanie Grigg: Two of a Kind from The Wild Party
Josie Lane: What Can You Lose from Dick Tracy
Nick Eaton: My New Philosophy from You’re a good Man Charlie Brown
Drew Weston: The Wizard and I from Wicked
Turanga Merito: A big Black lady stops the show from Fame Becomes Me, backed by Josie Lane, Gillian Cosgriff and Angela Scundi
Full company Finale, Louder than Words from Tick Tick Boom led by Gareth Keegan, Sam Hagen, Josie Lane, Angela Scundi and Gillian Cosgriff

Helpmann Awards 2011 - Musical Theatre Nominees

2011-07-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

Here are the nominees for all Musical Theatre categories for the 2011 Helpmann Awards. The awards ceremony will take place on the 1st of August at the Sydney Opera House, tickets now on sale on Ticketmaster.
A comprehensive list of all nominees can be found on the Helpmann Awards website.
The Musicals Insider's predictions can be found in bold.

Best Male Actor in a Musical
- Anthony Warlow (Yuri Zhivago, Doctor Zhivago)
- David Harris (Fiyero Tiggular, Wicked)
- Matt Lee (Bert, Mary Poppins)
- Ben Lewis (The Phantom, Love Never Dies)

Best Female Actor in a Musical
- Jaz Flowers (Tracy Turnblad, Hairspray)
- Lucy Maunder (Lara Antipova, Doctor Zhivago)
- Jemma Rix (Elphaba Thropp, Wicked)
- Verity Hunt-Ballard (Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins)

Best Musical
- Hairspray
- Doctor Zhivago
- Mary Poppins
- Love Never Dies

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical:
- Scott Irwin (Corny Collins, Hairspray)
- Martin Crewes (Pasha Antipov, Doctor Zhivago)
- Philip Quast (George Banks, Mary Poppins)
- Simon Gleeson (Raoul, Love Never Dies

Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical
- Esther Hannaford (Penny Pingleton, Hairspray)
- Alinta Chidzey (Anita, West Side Story)
- Taneel Van Zyl (Tonia Gromeko, Doctor Zhivago)
- Marina Prior (Winnifred Banks, Mary Poppins)

Best Costume Design
- Janet Hine (Hairspray)
- Bob Crowley (Mary Poppins)
- Gabriela Tylesova (Love Never Dies)
- Tracy Grant Lord (In The Next Room)

Best Scenic Design
- Bob Crowley (Mary Poppins)
- Kim Carpenter (Snow on Mars)
- Gabriela Tylesova (Love Never Dies)
- Brian Thomson (La Boheme)

Best Lighting Design
- Nick Schlieper (Baal)
- Howard Harrison (Mary Poppins)
- Adam Silverman (Partenope)
- Nick Schlieper (Love Never Dies)

Best Sound Design
- Stefan Gregory (Baal)
- Peter Grubb (Mary Poppins)
- Claire Brothers (U2 360 Tour)
- Mick Potter (Love Never Dies)

Best Music Direction
- Ben Walsh (My Bicycle Loves You)
- Stephen Brooker and Michael Tyack (Mary Poppins)
- Christian Curnyn (Partenope)
- Guy Simpson (Love Never Dies)

Best Choreography in a Musical
- Jason Coleman (Hairspray)
- Matthew Bourne and Stephen Mear (Mary Poppins)
- Graeme Murphy (Love Never Dies)
- Kelly Devine (Doctor Zhivago)

Best Direction of a Musical
- David Atkins (Hairspray)
- Des McAnuff (Doctor Zhivago)
- Richard Eyre and Matthew Bourne (Mary Poppins)
- Simon Phillips (Love Never Dies)

Annie Audition Information

2011-05-18T01:20:00.000-07:00

The Producers for this new production of Annie are looking for girls aged between 6 and 13
to undertake the roles of the “ORPHANS and ANNIE” for the Sydney Season.

Rehearsals will commence in Sydney on or about Monday, 14 November 2011 before opening in Sydney in January 2012.

The vocal range required is Low B to High F#

Sheet music will not be required as all Auditionees will be taught a small section from the production.

Dance training is essential!

Auditions are by appointment only

Please register your interest by submitting your child’s name, age, height, phone number and email address plus photograph (if available) to:

Suzanne Jones
Audition Co-ordinator
The Gordon Frost Organisation
PO Box 284
Pyrmont NSW 2009

or by email to Suzanne Jones
suzanne@gordonfrost.com.au

Please note that registration for these auditions close at 5:00 pm on Monday 6 June 2011
Information regarding an audition session in Melbourne will be available later in the year.

Theatre Update - Legally Blonde casting, Love Never Dies, King Kong, Les Mis, Addams Family,Annie, Strange Bedfellows, Mary Poppins

2011-05-18T00:52:00.001-07:00

And now here's an update on the Musical Theatre situation in Australia.

Legally Blonde
The casting process for the new Australian Legally Blonde continues.
In news that will shock some readers, frontrunners Christie Whelan and Amy Lehpalmer are no longer in contention. Producers felt both girls were physically not right for the role, with both girls very tall. Still in contention is Lucy Durack, Christy Sullivan from Next to Normal, Teagan Wouters from High School Musical and Jersey Boys and several recent WAAPA graduates.
Several fairly well-known theatre names are in contention for supporting and ensemble positions, including Queenie Van de Zandt, David Harris, Rodney Dobson, Rob Mills, Josh Piterman and Chloe Dallimore. Rob Guest Endowment finalist from 2010 Bree Langridge is the current favourite to play Brooke Wyndham.

Love Never Dies
Love Never Dies is preparing to open, with previews starting on Saturday evening, for an official opening night the week after on the 28th. Andrew Lloyd Webber is in town to oversee final rehearsals and will be attending the Opening Night. The Melbourne season is expected to last 6-8 months.

King Kong
A workshop of King Kong the musical is presently auditioning. Auditionees for the lead role of Anne are expected to prepare Don't Rain on My Parade and Blue Moon, as well as songs of their choice. Workshops will begin in July in Sydney. The central character, a giant Gorilla, will be played by a giant puppet, which is under construction in Melbourne's Docklands.

Les Miserables
The 25th anniversary tour of Australia has been postponed, with producers and casting directors citing theatre availability problems. Initial plans were for an April 2012 production, but this doesn’t look like happening.
Pre-casting for several leads looks to be quietly under way, with producers interested in Jaz Flowers to play Eponie. This version will be the 25th anniversary version that recently played in London's Barbican theatre and is a slightly cut down version, removing some of Thenardier's parts.
Expect to see this one later in 2012.

Addams Family
An announcement of a production of The Addams Family to be made tomorrow morning (Thursday) at Sydney's Capitol theatre. The season will open in 2013.

Next to Normal
Next to Normal at MTC is doing very well, with it's season extending until the 4th of June. However there are no understudies for the production, which has seen most performers struggle with a bout of laryngitis. Director Dean Bryant had to perform one and a half performances as Gabe, Act 2 of May 12th and all of May 13th's shows.

Annie
Annie has been confirmed for the Star City in Sydney for the start of 2012. Auditions are to be held across the country this month, but Anthony Warlow and Todd McKenny are strongly rumoured to have already been cast.

Strange Bedfellows
Strange Bedfellows the musical is set to have a Melbourne season, with many of the ensemble roles being recast for Melbourne-based performers. The leads will however stay the same. The show will have a two-week season at the Princess theatre in October.

Mary Poppins
And finally Mary Poppins will be at Sydney's Capitol Theatre until September at the very earliest, but most likely the end of the year to make way for Love Never Dies.

Thanks to our friends at Theatrepeople for a few minor corrections.

Love Never Dies Understudies

2011-05-02T18:51:00.000-07:00

The Musicals Insider can exclusively name most of the understudies/covers for the upcoming production of Love Never Dies. Melbourne rehearsals start this week at the Regent Theatre.

Meg: Jess Mechielsen and Renee Burleigh
Fleck: Ellen Simpson and Erin James
Roul: Matt McFarlane, Todd Strike and Andrew Broadbent
Phantom: Matt McFarlane and Todd strike
Christine: Erin Hasan and Claire Lyon
Squelch: Colin Dean and Giordano Gangl
Gangle: Brendan Yeates and Ben Hudson

Doctor Zhivago - Full cast list, Understudies and Opening Night Review

2011-04-19T21:56:00.000-07:00

Full cast list:

Yurii Zhivago: Anthony Warlow
Lara: Lucy Maunder
Tonia: Taneel Van Zyl
Alex: Peter Carroll
Anna: Trisha Noble
Komarovsky: Bartholomew John
Pasha/Strelnikov: Martin Crewes

Ensemble: Johanna Allen, Anton Berezin, Caitlin Berry, Tony Cogin, Mischana Delorra Cornish, Tony Farrell, Natalie Gamsu, Todd Goddard, Frank Hansen, Glenn Hill, Luke Joslin, Todd Keys, Kathleen Moore, Shaun Murphy, Stephanie Silcock, Annie Standford, Jamie Ward, Jamie Way, Belinda Wollaston
Swings: Gavin D. Andrew, Emma Hawthorne, Elisa McCann, Chris Scalzo

Understudies:
Zhivago: Anton Berezin, Tony Farrell
Lara: Belinda Wollaston, Kathleen Moore
Tonia: Johanna Allen, Caitlin Berry
Alex: Todd Goddard, Tony Cogin
Anna: Annie Stanford, Natalie Gamsu
Komarovsky: Tony Cogin, Todd Keys
Pasha/Strelnikov: Frank Hansen, Anton Berezin

Doctor Zhivago Review: Thursday April 14 at Her Majesty's Theatre

Doctor Zhivago shows a lot of promise. It is the biggest musical to come out of Australia since Priscilla and has a bright future ahead of itself.
Musically, the show is breathtaking. A very polished score really is the star of the show, expertly handled by Musical Director Kellie Dickerson. Songs like Now and One Love are dangerously infectious. The show's costuming is perfect and sets add a whole new dimension to the stage of Her Majesty's. The only exception to this is the clunky metal apparatus that is used as varying elements of the set, including the train. A raked stage is also somewhat of a novelty nowadays.
Another highlight is the performances of the ensemble. Engaged and fully dedicated to their performances, the ensemble are a treat. Particular standouts include Johanna Allen, Anton Berezin and Jamie Ward.

Yet it is not without it's faults.

While the music is breathtaking, the book is clunky at best. Beautiful musical moments are ruined with the introduction of forced and messy dialogue. An awkward silence contributes to this feeling, as there is hardly ever music underscoring the dialogue.

There was also the occasional doubling up of information and messy scenery. For example [and the following may need a spoiler alert]
Zhivago and Lara are set up in a desolate house. They fade into blackout as in the background of the house, a significant member of the Red Army is sentenced to death, with no reaction or interaction from him. We then cut back to Lara and Zhivago, where another character enters to reveal the same information that we have just seen. Instead of the messy staging, the 'trial' section could just be cut. This could also help to cut down the very long running time - 3 hours including interval on Opening Night.

Another problem with the show is the character of Lara. What should be a highly complex and passionate character, full with emotional turmoil and energy, falls flat. A character like Lara needs a very strong actress in order to do her justice. Unfortunately in this production, a combination of a standard voice tone and delivery and one attitude give the character a very one-dimensional and not very likeable characterisation.

The show also struggles from inconsistency with accents. Performers have apparently been told to use neutral accents, so as a result we have a combination of English, American and Australian accents the performers use intermittently.

A final problem with the show is it does set itself up for a Producers or Adams Family-like curse. The producers make it no secret that this show is a star vehicle for Warlow, who is in turn the star attraction. On stage for basically the entire 2.75 hour running time, it will take a very special performer to fill Warlow's shoes, should he not be able or willing to play the role in the future. Considering how much of a struggle Australian producers had finding a Mary Poppins, the task of finding say 2 Zhivagos for West End and Broadway would be a near impossible task.
should an new international production occur

Overall, a 3/5 rating.

Doctor Zhivago, now playing at Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne for another 11 weeks, before transferring to Brisbane, then to Korea and possibly The West End.

Impending Productions

2011-04-19T21:03:00.000-07:00

2012 looks set to be another big year for Australian Musical Theatre.

A new production of Annie has just been announced, to open in Sydney in January 2012.

Following this will be the much talked about production of Legally Blonde. Auditions are currently underway, with ensemble 2nd rounds this week in Melbourne and Elle auditions to be within the next month or two.

Les Miserables is also expected to open in April. We are not aware of audition dates having been set as yet however.

An Officer and a Gentleman also looks set to premiere in 2012 with Director Simon Phillips at the helm.

The rights to Shrek gave been acquired by John Frost, but a date for the show is currently unconfirmed. 2012 was the early rumor, but theatre avaliability looks slim, with many big shows already booked in.

A production of DreamWeaver has also been announced for Melbourne in April 2012, with workshops to happen in July this year.

A smaller production of Tick Tick Boom! will also happen this July in Sydney.

Love Never Dies is presently in rehearsals in Sydney, preparing for a May 28th Opening.

Next to Normal is currently bumping into the Playhouse theatre, ahead of previews commencing next week.

Rumours of the Addams Family coming in 2012 are still floating around, but nothing concrete to back them up as yet.

And finally a workshop of the King Kong Musical will happen in July this year.

Full Love Never Dies Cast

2011-04-19T19:27:00.000-07:00

With thanks to our friends at www.aussietheatre.com.au

The full ensemble for Love Never Dies includes Andrew Broadbent , Renee Burleigh, Colin Dean, Andrew Dunne, Giordano Gangl, Stephanie Grigg, Erin Hasan (Christine Understudy), Matthew Holly, Benjamin Hudson, Erin James, Adele Johnston, Claire Lyon (another Christine Understudy), Kristy MacKenzie, Matthew McFarlane, Jessica Mechielsen, Meredith O'Reilly, Pharic Scott, Adam Rennie, Lisa Reynolds, Kathryn Sgroi, Ellen Simpson, Tod Strike, Brendan Yeates.

Sharing the role of Gustav are George Bush, Trent Heath, Lachlan Kelly, Jack Lyall and Kurtis Papadinis.

And as supporting Principals, Dean Vince (Gangle), Paul Tabone (Squelch) and Emma J. Hawkins (Fleck).

Rock of Ages Full Cast/Understudies

2011-04-07T00:46:00.000-07:00

Lonny: Brent Hill
Justice/Mother: Rachel Dunham
Dennis: Anthony Harkin
Drew: Justin Burford
Sherrie: Amy Lehpamer
Stacee Jaxx/Father: Michael Falzon
Regina/Candi: Francine Cain
Mayor/Paul Gill: Thern Reynolds
Hertz: David Whitney
Franz: Lincoln Hall
Waitress #1: Samantha Hagen
Reporter (Constance): Melanie Hawkins
Joey Primo/Sleazy Producer: Alex Ellis
Young Groupie: Ellen Sutton

Swings: Rachel Bicketron, Brendan Coustley, Shaye Hopkins, John O'Hara, Jensen Overend

Understudies:
Drew/Fraz: Alex Ellis, Jensen Overend
Sherrie: Sam Hagen, Shaye Hopkins
Stacee Jaxx: Alex Ellis, John O'Hara
Lonny: Thern Reynolds, Brendan Coustley, John O'Hara
Dennis: Brendan Coustley, John O'Hara
Hertz: Brendan Coustley, Thern Reynolds
Regina: Shaye Hopkins
Justice: Rachel Bickerton
Angel/Waitress 1/Constance: Shaye Hopkins, Rachel Bickerton
Joey Primo/Mayor/Paul Gill: John O'Hara, Jensen Overend

Looking Forward, Looking Back

2011-03-30T21:21:00.000-07:00

These next few months are going to prove to be a changing of the guard in Melbourne's Musical Theatre scene.

Firstly, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber tour has just concluded, after a reasonably successful Melbourne run. Mary Poppins is set to close tomorrow night at Her Majesty's, Xanadu will be closing the following weekend on April 10th and Hairspray on the 1st of May.

However, there are a myriad of new shows set to hit Melbourne.
Firstly, we have Rock of Ages which is currently in previews at the Comedy Theatre. Tickets look to be selling fairly well, with an official Opening Night set for April 9, with a lavish afterparty at the Plaza Ballroom.

Doctor Zhivago is wrapping up it's Sydney run and is set to open at Her Majesty's on Thursday April 14th.

Broadway hit Next to Normal is presently in rehearsals, with an Opening Night of Tuesday May 9th.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's new production of Love Never Dies starts rehearsals on Monday in Sydney's Opera Australia Centre, with an Opening Night of May 28th at the Regent Theatre.

The Production Company's season has been confirmed as Anything Goes, Kismet and Grey Garden, with Anything Goes kicking off in July.

New Musical An Officer And a Gentleman has been pushed back to 2012, when shows such as Legally Blonde and Les Mis competing with it.

A tip off from the Aussietheatre forums suggests that a major Broadway musical will be announced at some point in May, suggesting this may be The Addams Family.

And finally the new musical Strange Bedfellows looks set to continue it's run after a successful out-of-town tryout in Albury. It is expected to go to Melbourne, Sydney's State Theatre, Brisbane before heading to Asia on it's way to West End.

Moulin Rouge the Musical

2011-03-22T03:20:00.000-07:00

Rumour has it that director Baz Luhrmann is currently working on a stage show version of the movie Moulin Rouge. Although he is presently occupied with his new film The Great Gatsby, people have been hired to work on it in the meantime. This however makes the premiere several years away.

The Production Company 2011 Season

2011-03-11T05:59:00.001-08:00

With the Production Company's official 2011 season launch to be held on the 22nd of March, the season's shows have been leaked.

The 2011 season is set to consist of Grey Gardens, Kismet and Anything Goes (Believed to be starring Amanda Harrison)

Bootlegging: Your Opinions

2011-03-02T01:08:00.000-08:00

Late last week, we asked you for your opinions regarding bootlegging, or the illegal recording of live performance. To this we received many differing viewpoints.

Initially, we have the viewpoint from Mrs Zoe Jarrett, a performer in the musical Wicked.
On the 21st of February, she tweeted: "thinks people who feel so entitled that they think they can come to a live performance, record it, and be so disrespectful to the..... performers and crew who work so hard to create an exciting theatrical experience 8 times a week......these people that record it and can't even follow the simple instructions that are even announced at the start of a show stating that "recording devices are strictly prohibited" are in one word.......LAME"

3 days later, fellow Wicked performer Amanda Harrison tweeted a link to a YouTube video of her performing No Good Deed from the show. It was captioned "My Favourite of tbe illegal recordings". When asked if she was against them, she replied "Not really. It's the horrendous comment section that can be a little debilitating!"

Now to your comments.

Response 1:
Our first response was from a die-hard fan. Their stance is that they are "Thoroughly opposed to video bootlegs because of performer and audience distraction. Still making my mind up on audio bootlegs. "

Response 2:
Our second response was rather extensive!

"To be honest, I have varying views on it.

As a fan of a show I’m dying to see but can’t (beyond amateur theatre), I really want to see it no matter what because I know it’ll be awesome and frankly, I’ll take what I can get. On the flip side, I know that it’ll be a terrible quality, most likely filmed from one hidden angle, potentially obscured and out of focus. And the film student in me? The film student hates that.

Then there’s the techie in me. The one who’s often backstage, looking after the microphones. That one, rarely sees the full show at all. Unless there’s a monitor set up, and even then the colours are off and you can’t see much. The sound is awesome, but it’s the lighting I want to see too, not just where who is when. I want to sit down and watch it. So from there, again I want to see a film recording of it, because at least then the colours will be true.

As a lighting tech, I don’t mind either way. Naturally I’ll probably stare down someone if they’re making a lot of noise or being distracting but I don’t mind either way. Sometimes it seemed a little harsh to me that up at the lighting desk, I could see the whole show and do my work while all the actors, all the orchestra couldn’t see the show at all.

While I don’t perform myself, I fully believe that taping a rehearsal helps the actors improve. Seeing it from an audience’s perspective is a lot different to being on the stage yourself.

I should state that my background is in amateur theatre and school shows.

And I fully agree that a recording of a live performance – sound or video – is a cool memento for the cast and crew to be able to take away. To be able to see it, and relive it. Who wouldn’t want that? Especially the younger ones. Your first show, hell your first few shows, go by like a blur. It’s nice to be able to look back at it years on and actually see it instead of forgetting everything except maybe that one song where you accidentally hit someone in the face.

At a professional level... I guess there are more ethics at play because you’re toying with people’s actual jobs. It makes me wonder what would happen if large productions hired a camera crew (towards the end of their run, if it’s a tour) and put out a professional DVD of their performance. Would they make money from it? Would it curb the bootleggers? Would they take a loss in ticket sales?

Personally I think it’s a crying shame that there aren’t more musicals on dvd.

To sum it up, I think there’s a difference between illegally recording a show to sell / trade it and illegally recording a show to keep it as a memento for all the hard work you put into putting it together."

Response 3:
I know that bootlegging is illegal, but I still love it. It's a great way to see shows that aren't going to come here, or relive great great moments (Patrice riff anyone?) And technically, i'm now an industry professional :P

Response 4:
I know bootlegging is illegal, but I do it anyways. It's not like I profit off them or post clips to the internet where performers aren't at their peak. As an aspiring actor, it's a great way for me to learn a show's material for auditions or to further develop myself as a performer. I will only sound record though.

I have also on occasion given performers recordings of themselves. It is a fantastic, and often one of the only ways a performer can hear whether what they're doing is what they want to be doing and improve on it. It's very rewarding to go back and see a show months later and hear what the performer has done with the bits that weren't quite right before. Would I do it if cast recordings were available? Probably. Unless the cast recordings included the entire libretto too!

The other key point is that the power of the internet cannot be ignored. Take for example the career of a certain Elphaba in Brisbane/Sydney Wicked. She has become quite well known in theatre circles around the world due to 'guerrilla' advertising on sites such as YouTube. I know of people who have travelled around the world purely to hear her sing. In an industry as small as ours, the more exposure we can give our performers the better! It's not like live audiences will stop coming if the audio of a show was available. There are some shows on West End that allow audio recording, but not video recording and have benefited from this.
In summary, bootlegging is not necessarily a bad thing if done without distracting fellow patrons and performers.

Response 5:

I've made audio recordings of every single theatre performance I've seen
over the past 15 years (musicals, plays, concerts, I only spare ballet!).
Even if I go to see a show more than once, I record it again. I love
listening to my collection, every recording brings back great memories.
Moreover, listening to and comparing different performances/productions of
the same show, or tracing back a performer's career across the years is an
extremely inspiring and enriching past time on rainy Sundays.
I never trade my recordings, only occasionally make copies for close
friends who loved (or missed) a particular production.
Although I always pay attention not to be caught inside the theatre, I
don't consider myself a criminal and intend to go on recording my shows in
the years to come.

Response 6:

It's absurd how some can justify their wrong-doings!! This behavour is totally disrespectful to the whole production.

Response 7:

Totally against video recordings. I won lottery seats for Wicked when a friend pulled her phone out and held it right in front of her face for most songs during Act 1. You had performers less than a meter in front of us and you could tell it was putting them off and was complete unfair for the rest of the audience.

I support audio recordings though as it less obvious and in most cases is done quietly and does not affect a performance. I was a huge fan of Patrice Tipoki as Elphaba in Wicked and after seeing her on more than 10 occassions I had lottery seats for her last performance. She sung her heart out that night and had so much passion and energy, she was spent by the curtain call. Luckily someone was recording the audio and I can now listen to her whenever and wherever I like and be reminded of why she was so damn good. It's a way to keep the passion alive long after the show has moved on and I still get goosebumps just hearing her through my ipod.

Any comments or responses to these, leave them down in the comment section. We want your opinions too if you have them!

The Musicals Insider wants your opinion!

2011-02-24T03:09:00.000-08:00

Today at the Mystery in Musicals, we're going to try something a little bit different.
We have noticed that on Twitter recently, there has been a lot of talk regarding the ethics of illegally recording live performances, otherwise known as bootlegging or pirating.
A wide range of opinions exist on the matter from many different facets of the industry. For example some performers find it to be highly disrespectful, while others find it helpful in improving their performances or as a memento of their role.
The Musicals Insider wants your view!!
Please Email us your thoughts on the ethicality of bootlegging to MysteriousMusicals@gmail.com. Alternatively you can Direct Message us on twitter at @MusicalsInsider

We understand this can be a very precarious subject, so as such all comments will be published completely anonymously. However in your email, please outline what your position in the industry is, whether you're a die-hard fan, Performer, Usher, Musician, First-time viewer, Broadway tragic etc.

Let the debate begin!

- M.I

Wicked takes flight

2011-02-22T22:41:00.001-08:00

Wicked Australia is currently auditioning for cast members for a 2012-onwards International Tour of the show. The tour will head through Asia and New Zealand, but specific cities and dates are yet to be confirmed.

I Can Hear the Final Bells...

2011-02-22T22:39:00.000-08:00

Hairspray has today officially announced a closing date in Melbourne of Sunday May 1st. The production will then transfer to Sydney for a limited season, with an Opening date of June 23rd. It is presumed, but not confirmed, most of the Melbourne cast will be continuing on with the show in Sydney.

The Xanadu Crew want You

2010-12-27T03:49:00.000-08:00

Anyone with backstage experience might want to have a look at this, Xanadu is currently hiring crew and wardrobe.

http://backstagejobs.com.au/jobs/?job_id=460

The Boy From Oz extends

2010-12-15T20:20:00.000-08:00

After one hugely successful Melbourne season, it was announced earlier this year that the Boy from Oz will return for an encore season in January.
The Musicals Insider has recently been tipped off that the season has been extended yet again, this time for an extra week from Feb 7-13 before heading up to Sydney for a March opening.

Love Never Dies Casting

2010-12-15T20:18:00.000-08:00

Principal casting of Love Never Dies has been finalised. The Insider has heard the lead role of Christine has been won by someone fairly familiar to the industry. While we have not been given a specific name, Julie Goodwin appears to be the main rumour, with Michael Cormick rumoured for the Phantom.
Former Glinda Standby Erin Hasan has landed the first understudy position.

You Can Certainly Slow the Beat, But You Can't Keep the Flying Nanny Down

2010-12-09T01:34:00.000-08:00

Staff working at the Princess theatre have been informed the show will close in late March.
The news comes as ticket sales have been struggling, with several shows this past week, including Friday night, only selling 600 tickets, or roughly at 40%.
It is understood discount tickets ate available from the Box Office, with all remaining seats for that week selling for $50.

This is contrary to the other Melbournian Mega-Musical Mary Poppins, which has been at 95% capacity. The show has had a 'Sorry House Full' sign out the front permanently since July and has regularly completely selling out. The show will close on Friday the 1st of April to transfer to Sydney's Capitol theatre. The show has been strongly rumoured to make a swift return to Melbourne.

Maybe She Really is Magic...

2010-12-09T01:30:00.000-08:00

Contrary to our earlier post regarding Verity Hunt-Ballard, Verity performed both shows this past Wednesdsy the 8th of December. It is unclear as to her exact status, but it appears she has recovered somewhat which is great to hear! It is unknown whether she will continue to perform all 8 shows for the next few weeks or allow understudies Sarah Bakker and Christina Tan to perform some of the shows.

Poppins Update

2010-12-07T03:16:00.000-08:00

The Insider has discovered that Mary Poppins star Verity Hunt-Ballard is presently performing with an injury. It is not known what the injury is or how it was attained, but it means she is no longer performing both shows on 2 show days. While she fully recovers, the Matinees will be performed by understudies Sarah Bakker and Christina Tan. Bakker is also unwell at the moment, allowing Christina to recently have her first two performances.

When my baby smiles at me I go to Sydney...

2010-11-25T06:31:00.000-08:00

Following a return engagement in Melbourne, the Production Company's The Boy From Oz will tour to Sydney in early 2011. It is expected to fill the Capitol Theatre for 2 weeks at the start of March.

Xanadu Cast Announcement

2010-11-25T06:26:00.000-08:00

Rising Musical Theatre superstar Christie Whelan has landed her first lead in a large scale commercial musical.
Whelan will play Kirra in the 2011 Melbourne production of Xanadu.
Also starring in the show are Sam Ludeman, as Sonny, Ally Fowler, as Melpomene/Medusa, Susan-Ann Walker as Calliope/Aphrodite, and John McTernan as Danny Maguire/Zeus.

Xanadu opens on Docklands in Melbourne on Thursday the 3rd of March 2011.

Rock of Ages Casting

2010-11-15T21:32:00.000-08:00

The cast for the 2011 Melbourne production of Rock of Ages has been announced this afternoon by Producers.

The cast includes Justin Burford from the band End of Fashion as Drew and Amy Lehpamer as Sherrie.

The rest of the cast include:

Regina - Francine Cain
Justice - Rachel Dunham
Joey Primo - Alex Ellis
Stacee Jaxx - Michael Falzon
Franz - Lincoln Hall
Dennis - Anthony Harkin
Constance - Mel Hawkins
Lonny - Brent Hill
Angel - Ellen Sutton
Hertz - David Whitney

Ensemble - Thern Reynolds, Rachel Bickerton, Brendan Coustley, Samm Hagen, Shaye Hopkins, John O'Hara and Jensen Overend.

The production opens in Melbourne's Comedy Theatre in April 2011, with tickets going on pre-sale through Ticketmaster at 6:30pm tonight AEST with the password ROCKON

The baby is unnaturally GREEN

2010-11-10T04:52:00.001-08:00

The Musicals Insider would like to extend our congratulations to former Elphaba Amanda Harrison. Amanda has given birth to a healthy and presumably not green baby boy, Max, on the 9th of November.

Full Doctor Zhivago Cast

2010-10-28T19:07:00.001-07:00

The full ensemble cast of Doctor Zhivago has been announced today.

As well as the previously reported principals, the ensemble includes:

Johanna Allen, Gavin Andrew, Anton Berezin, Caitlin Berry, Tony Cogin, Todd Goddard, Natalie Gamsu, Frank Hansen, Scott Hili, Glenn Hill, Luke Joslin, Todd Keys, Ben Lewis, Elise McCann, Kathleen Moore, Shaun Murphy, Chris Scalzo, Annie Stanford, Belinda Wollaston and Jamie Ward.

You Can't Stop the Beat. Or can you?

2010-10-28T19:01:00.000-07:00

Hairspray the musical has this week discovered that with great technological innovation comes great technological failure. This Tuesday the 26th of October's performance has to be cancelled at the absolute last minute. The audience was sitting in their seats waiting for the performance to commence when Trevor Ashley walked onstage in full Edna costume, announcing that evening's performance could not go on. One of the three giant LED screens was not working, so the show was forced to be cancelled. Theatre-goers were understandably not happy, with many thinking it was a joke until the doors were opened, and many others swamping the bars for refunds on drinks and snacks.
A full refund or rescheduling into another show of their choice has been offered to all patrons.

More on Dr. Z

2010-10-21T17:02:00.001-07:00

This morning at Melbourne's Sofitel Hotel, Producer John Frost announced more details about his new show, Doctor Zhivago.

Rounding out the cast will be Lucy Maunder as Lara, Taneel Van Zyl as his wife Tonia, Martin Crewes as Pasha Antipov, Bartholomew John as Viktor Komarovsky, Peter Carrol as Alexander and Trisha Nobel as Anna.

The Melbourne date was also announced as April 9th at Her Majesty's Theatre.

More on Love Never Dies

2010-10-14T01:28:00.000-07:00

The full creative team for Love Never Dies is as follows:

Director: Simon Phillips
Choreographer: Graeme Murphy
Musical Supervisor: Guy Simpson
Associate Director: Rainer Fried
Associate Choreographer: Janet Vernon

Audition dates are as follows:

First Round: Melbourne - October 25-28, Sydney October 29-November 3rd

Second Round: Sydney November 15-16, Melbourne 17th-20th

Final Round: Sydney 22nd-25th November, Melbourne 26-27 November

Rehearsals commence at the start of April with the season commencing from May.

The production will be touring to other Australian cities.

Love Never Dies to make Melbourne debut

2010-10-11T21:13:00.000-07:00

It has been confirmed today that Andrew Lloyd Webber's sequel to the Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies, will open in Melbourne in May 2011.
It will move into Melbourne's Regent Theatre, a strange choice given the nature of the show.

We can only hope that a brand new Australian creative team can invigorate the production and make it become even slightly more successful than the doomed West End production.

Members of the creative team include Director Simon Phillips and Producer Tim McFarlane.

Auditions begin nation-wide in exactly 2 weeks time, agents should have received details today.

Rob Guest Endowment Concert

2010-10-04T18:07:00.001-07:00

The Annual Rob Guest Endowment Concert was held last night as Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne. In what is fast becoming one of the hottest events of the theatre calendar, it was a case of new talent interacting with stars of the theatre industry.
The event served as a reunion for the industry, with all sorts of theatre people spotted.
Guests included Tevin Campbell, Nancy Dennis, Trevor Ashley, James Maxfield, socialite Megan Castran and was hosted by Bert Newton.

The 6 finalists - Bree Langridge, Simon Brook McLachlan, Francine Cain, Nathan Derrick, Drew Weston and Sarah Bakker displayed immense talent and maturity, wowing the crowd with what they could do. There was noticeable improvement in the behind the scenes planning with regards to last year's show, with contestants no longer restricted to a set list of songs, contestants now being properly announced before their performance and props/other actors allowed to be used.

Act 2 started with a live auction with 3 major prizes.
Lot 1 was a Mary Poppins Experience, including tickets, a signed poster and a Backstage Tour. This went for approx. $2000.
Lot 2 was a Musical Theatre poster set, including signed posters from Wicked, Jersey Boys, Hairspray and West Side Story. This went for $1600.
Lot 3 was a framed and mounted Phantom of the Opera mask, as worn by Rob Guest. This went for $5000.

Highlights of the evening included the heartfelt return of the heavily pregnant Amanda Harrison, performing The Story Goes On, cast members from Mary Poppins lead by Philip Quast, singing Sunday and Little Brown Jug performed by Chris Horsey, Mark Hill, Matt Lee and Leah Howard.

Although Francine Cain was announced as the recipient of the Rob Guest Endowment for 2010, all who performed or were in attendance on the night were the real winners.

The programme was as follows:

Act one

Putting it Together - 2010 finalists

Oscars Medley - Rachel Beck, Danielle Barnes, Mandy Carnie

Always True To You - Bree Langridge, feat Ross Hannaford

Love Look Away - Simon Brook McLachlan

Little Brown Jug - Chris Horsey, Mark Hill, Matt Lee, Leah Howard

Shy - Francine Cain

Not While I'm Around - Nathan Derrick

The Story Goes On - Amanda Harrison

I'll Be Here - Drew Weston

Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again - Sarah Bakker

Bring Him Home - David Harris

Sunday - Cast Members from Mary Poppins

Act Two

Dream On - Lucy Durack, Matthew Robinson, Esther Hannaford, Chris Parker

Live Auction

Maybe I Like It This Way - Francine Cain

Sunset Boulevard - Drew Weston

Maybe This Time - Rhonda Burchmore

Gethsemane - Simon Brook McLachlan

Astonishing - Bree Langridge

Feeling Good - Tom Burlinson

Glitter and Be Gay - Sarah Bakker

Sit Down You're Rocking The Boat - Nathan Derrick

Show Off - Chloe Dallimore

Burn For You - Michael Cormick

Colour Purple Medley - Danielle Matthews

Up The Ladder to the Roof - Wicked Cast Members

Hairspray Understudies

2010-10-03T16:05:00.001-07:00

Here is a full list of the Hairspray cast and understudies. An Opening Night review is to come.

Edna Turnblad: Trevor Ashley
Tracy Turnblad: Jaz Flowers
Wilbur Turnblad: Grant Piro
Corny Collins: Scott Irwin
Velma Von Tussle: Marney McQueen
Link Larkin: Jack Chambers
Penny Pingleton: Esther Hannaford
Amber Von Tussle: Renee Armstrong
Motormouth Maybelle: Cle Morgan
Seaweed J. Stubbs: Tevin Campbell
Inez: Nancy Denis
Female Authority Figure: Jacqui Rae
Male Authority Figure Garry Scale

Shelley: Briden-Starr Aspinall
Fender: Doug de Voogt
Duane: Samuel Gaskin, Peter Harrigton-Olsen
Prison Warden: David Gauci
IQ: Mitchell Hicks
Linda: Kirby Lunn
Gilbert: Loredo Malcolm
Brenda: Hayley Martin
Thad: Tshire Mokou
Sketch: Scott Morris
Lorraine: Kirsta Adesuwa Okunzuwa
Tammy: Ashlea Pyke
Lou-Ann: Michelle Smitheram
Gary: Michael Snell
Judine (Dynamite): Elenora Rokobaro
Kamilah (Dynamite): Chloe Zuel
Shayna (Dynamite):Akina Edmonds

On-Stage Swings: Scott McConnel, Karlee Misipenka, Katherine Rodrigues, Kirby Lee Burgess, Joel Benjamin Hewlett, Kay Hotos, Heath Keating

Understudies

Edna: David Gauci, Garry Scale
Tracy Turnblad: Kirby Lunn
Wilbur Turnblad: Garry Scale
Corny Collins: Scott McConnell, Mike Snell
Velma Von Tussle: Jacqui Rae, Katherine Rodrigues
Link Larkin: Scott Morris, Mike Snell
Penny Pingleton: Ashlea Pyke, Michelle Smitheram
Motormouth Maybelle: Akina Edmonds
Seaweed Stubbs: Joel Benjamin Hewlett, Loredo Malcolm
Inez: Karlee Misipeka, Elenoa Rokobaro
Amber von Tussle: Briden-Starr Aspinall
Female Authority Figure: Ashlea Pyke, Katherine Rodrigues
Male Authority Figure: David Gauci, Mike Snell
Dynamires: Kat Hoyos, Karlee Misipeka, Kristina Adesuwa Okunzuwa
Prison Warden: Garry Scale

Rob Guest Endowment Concert

2010-09-30T18:50:00.000-07:00

Yes it is almost that time of year again, time for the Rob Guest Endowment Concert.

Hosted by Bert Newton, this star studded event will feature the best in Australian Musical Theatre. The diamond studded line-up includes:

Amanda Harrison
Lucy Durack
Matt Lee
Rachael Beck
Chloe Dallimore
Rachael Beck
Danielle Matthews
Michael Cormick
David Harris
Mitchell Hicks
Mark Hill
Chris Horsey
Matthew Robinson
Tom Burlinson
Rhonda Burchmore
Esther Hannaford
Danielle Barnes
Mandy Carnie
Michael Cormick
The Cast of Wicked
The Cast of Mary Poppins

As well as the 6 talented Endowment finalists - Sarah Bakker, Bree Langridge, Francine Cain, Simon McLauchlan, Nathan Derrick and Drew Weston.
The winner will receive a $1000 grant, return airfares to New York, accomidation in New York, vocal, dance and acting tuition in Australia and New York, a headshot package and media and finance training.

Tickets are still avaliable from Ticketek, but hurry!

http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=ROBGUEST10

Donations to the Endowment can be made via any ANZ branch.

Practically Perfect, yet Short and Sweet

2010-09-30T18:47:00.000-07:00

Rumours about Mary Poppins running at least a year have been proved false.
The risky Gordon Frost musical Dr. Zhivago has been confirmed for Her Majesty's Theatre in April, making Mary Poppins only a 9 month run.
Mary will then move to Sydney into the recently vacated Capitol Theatre.

It is rumoured Legally Blonde has had problems with production plans and casting and has therefore been delayed.

It's Hairspray!

2010-09-30T18:44:00.000-07:00

Hairspray fever has taken a grip of Melbourne. With the show well into previews, some very positive word of mouth has been generated by those who have already seen it.

Implementing a highly innovative set, the Hairspray set is made up entirely of LCD screens to represent the scenes. Producers have made the unnusual move of not casting any big 'names' in the production and are hoping this move will pay off. Cast have been told to expect a 6 month run.

For a preview video, checkout this link to The Age.

Hairspray opens tomorrow night, October 2nd, at 8:00pm at the Princess Theatre.

Andrew Lloyd Webber in Concert

2010-09-09T18:01:00.000-07:00

The Musicals Insider has discovered the Really Useful Group has been auditioning for a new concert tour of ALW's musicals. Similar to the previous 'Aspects of Lloyd Webber' tour, this production is expected to perform a variety of favourite songs and scenes from classic Lloyd Webber shows. Details of the production have been kept top secret, but they have been auditioning over the past few weeks and have all but decided on the cast.

In other Lloyd Webber news, while the exact timing of the show has not been confirmed, it is expected to be announced soon that Love Never Dies will make a mid-2011 debut in June or July in Melbourne. This follows Melbourne's tradition of having a 'big' musical debuting in winter, with the idea that the hype generated from the premiere is enough to guarantee ticket sales through the cold winter months.

Hairspray Casting

2010-09-09T17:56:00.000-07:00

The entire Hairspray cast can now be revealed.

Other than those already announced:
Seaweed: Tevin Campbell
Female Authority Figure: Jacqui Rae
Male Authority Figure: Garry Scale

Ensemble:

Briden-Starr Aspinall, Kirby-Lee Burgess, Doug de Voogt, Akina Edmonds, Samuel Gaskin, David Gauci, Peter Harrington-Olsen, Joel Benjamin Hewlett, Mitchell Hicks, Kat Hoyos, Heath Keating, Kirby Lunn, Loredo Malcolm, Hayley Martin, Scott McConnell, Karlee Misipeka, Tshire Mokou, Scott Morris, Kristina Adesuwa Okunzuwa, Ashlea Pyke, Katherine Rodrigues, Elenoa Rokobaro, Michelle Smitheram, Mike Snell, Chloe Zuel.

It is expected that Loredo Malcolm will understudy Seaweed and Mike Snell will understudy Corny Collins.

Turns out Big Girls DO Cry Over Ticket Prices...

2010-08-26T18:17:00.000-07:00

Further to our inital post on Sydney Jersey Boys ticket pricing, Jersey Boys Australia has taken an unprecedented move and are offering discounts on preview tickets. 6 weeks before the season opens even.
The discount allows Preview performances, from September 3rd til September 17th, to be purchased for only $100 using the codeword Massi.
Prices have initially been set very high, with Producer Seats, with the seat only, selling for $250 for a Saturday night. Other tickets can be found at $165, $145 and $125.

Omigod You Guys!

2010-08-19T19:08:00.000-07:00

Following months of speculation, the Musicals Insider can confirm that Australia will see a production of Legally Blonde in late 2011 to mid 2012. It is set to take over Her Majesty's Theatre in Melborne after Mary Poppins moves to Sydney.

Addendum: Due to production problems, the production will now premiere in 2012 at Sydney's Capitol Theatre.

Another Wicked Update

2010-08-16T18:03:00.000-07:00

As a follow up to a previous post:
17-year old Samantha Hagen is no longer joining the cast of Wicked. Samantha was cast, had costume fittings, shoes made and was starting rehearsals to cover Renee Armstrong's track when she pulled out. Samantha will now finish her HSC this year and will appear in Rock of Ages as Sherrie Understudy in Melboure next year. All the best to her!

Hairspray Sneak Peak

2010-08-10T19:44:00.001-07:00

Here's a sneak peak at Hairspray rehearsals in Melbourne.

http://media.theage.com.au/entertainment/red-carpet/hairspray-in-melbourne-1764877.html

Helpmann Award Nominees 2010

2010-08-02T05:01:00.001-07:00

The Helpmann Award Nominees for 2010 have been revealed today. While it is exciting that the MTC, especially The Drowsy Chaperone, have received a plethora of nominations, the STC has been snubbed, only receiving one nomination for sound design. A fuller list of nominees can be found here to save space: http://www.stagewhispers.com.au/news/helpmann-award-nominations-2010

BEST PLAY

The Book of Everything - Company B Belvoir & Kim Carpenters Theatre of Image
Advertisement: Story continues belowHappy Days - Malthouse Theatre
August: Osage County - Melbourne Theatre Company
Richard III - Melbourne Theatre Company

BEST MUSICAL

Avenue Q - Arts Asia Pacific and Power Arts
Jersey Boys - Dodger Theatricals, Rodney Rigby, Dainty Consolidated Entertainment, Joseph J Grano, Tamara and Kevin Kinsella, Pelican Group & Michael Watt in association with Latitude Link & Rick Steiner
The Drowsy Chaperone - Melbourne Theatre Company
The Wizard of Oz - Windmill Theatre

BEST OPERA

Le Grand Macabre - Adelaide Festival in association with State Opera of South Australia
Bliss - Opera Australia
Peter Grimes - Opera Australia
King Lear - Ten Days on the Island

BEST MALE ACTOR IN A PLAY

Paul Blackwell - The Hypochondriac
Robert Menzies - The End
Toby Schmitz - Ruben Guthrie
Ewen Leslie - Richard III

BEST FEMALE ACTOR IN A PLAY

Kathryn Hunter - Kafka's Monkey
Julie Forsyth - Happy Days
Jane Menelaus - August: Osage County
Robyn Nevin - August: Osage County

BEST MALE ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

Mitchell Butel - Avenue Q
Bobby Fox - Jersey Boys
Michael Cormick - MAMMA MIA!
Geoffrey Rush - The Drowsy Chaperone

BEST FEMALE ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

Michala Banas - Avenue Q
Christie Whelan - The Drowsy Chaperone
Delia Hannah - CATS
Ursula Yovich - The Wizard of Oz

BEST MALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A PLAY

Charlie Garber - Gethsemane
Arky Michael - Love Me Tender
Humphrey Bower - Richard III
Dennis Olsen - King Lear

BEST FEMALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A PLAY

Deborah Kennedy - The Book of Everything
Yael Stone - The Book of Everything
Alison Whyte - Richard III
Jennifer Hagan - Richard III

BEST MALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MUSICAL

Luke Joslin - Avenue Q
Scott Johnson - Jersey Boys
Adam Murphy - The Drowsy Chaperone
Geoff Revell, The Wizard of Oz

BEST FEMALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MUSICAL

Christina O'Neil - Avenue Q
Lisa Adam - Jersey Boys
Jaz Flowers - Fame the Musical
Jude Henshall - The Wizard of Oz

BEST MALE PERFORMER IN AN OPERA

Peter Coleman-Wright - Bliss
Stuart Skelton - Peter Grimes
John Wegner - Tosca
John Wegner - The Flying Dutchman

BEST FEMALE PERFORMER IN AN OPERA

Lorina Gore - Bliss
Emma Matthews - La Sonnambula
Susan Gritton - Peter Grimes
Takesha Meshe Kizart - Tosca

BEST MALE PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN AN OPERA

Barry Ryan - Bliss
Stuart Skelton - The Flying Dutchman
Paul Biencourt - Rembrandt's Wife
Andrew Foote - Peter Grimes

BEST FEMALE PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN AN OPERA

Taryn Fiebig - Bliss
Tiffany Speight - Cosi fan tutte
Taryn Fiebig - La Sonnambula
Catherine Carby - Peter Grimes

BEST DIRECTION OF A PLAY

Neil Armfield - The Book of Everything
Michael Kantor - Happy Days
Simon Phillips - Richard III
Thomas Ostermeier - Hamlet

BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL

Jonathan Biggins - Avenue Q
Des McAnuff - Jersey Boys
Simon Phillips - The Drowsy Chaperone
Rosemary Myers - The Wizard of Oz

BEST DIRECTION OF AN OPERA

Alex Olle (La Fura Dels Baus) & Valentina Carrasco - Le Grand Macabre
Neil Armfield - Bliss
Neil Armfield - Peter Grimes
Chris Drummond - The Flying Dutchman

BEST INTERNATIONAL CONTEMPORARY CONCERT

George Michael - LIVE
AC/DC Black Ice Tour
Beyonce
Pink - Funhouse Tour

BEST CONTEMPORARY MUSIC FESTIVAL

Homebake Music & Arts Festival 2009 - The 15th Anniversary
2010 Melbourne International Jazz Festival
big day out 2010
WOMADelaide

BEST COMEDY PERFORMER

Kitty Flanagan - Charming & Alarming
Fiona O'Loughlin - Fiona O'Loughlin On a Wing and A Prayer
Hannah Gadsby - Hannah Gadsby - The Cliff Young Shuffle
Wil Anderson - Wil Anderson - Wilful Misconduct

Mary #2

2010-08-02T04:54:00.000-07:00

After 2.5 weeks of performances, Mary Poppins understudy Sarah Bakker has finally been given an opportunity to play Mary Poppins, performing the title role for both shows on Sunday the 1st of August. Verity Hunt-Ballad is believed to be ill.
The Musicals Insider is pleased to note that unlike other productions, posters were present around the theatre advising patrons of the cast change.

It is believed there is a bug going around the cast, with cast members Matt Lee, Judi Connelli, Deborah Byrne and Verity herself all missing at least one show over the weekend.

Mary Poppins Opens

2010-07-29T21:28:00.001-07:00

Mary Poppins opened in Melbourne last night as the 6th production globally. The Musicals Insider was there to cover all the action.

As to be expected, it opened with much aplomb, with spectacular effects and performances from all cast members. Indeed the cast could not have been better. Particular standouts were Kurtis Papadinis and Hayley Edwards, given the honour of playing Jane and Michael Banks on opening night. The extensive search for a Practically Perfect Mary Poppins seems well worth the effort, with Verity Hunt-Ballad deliciously impish, yet authorative.
It is great to see Phillip Quast back on the Australian Stage. He and Marina Prior as Mr and Mrs Banks work very well with each other, while Sally-Anne Upton has perfect comedic timing with the character of Mrs Brill.
Matt Lee is better than expected as Bert, but loses the vital Cockney accent from time to time. With time however this can only improve.
From a technical perspective, at times the volume seemed to be far too quiet. Big numbers were adversely affected by quieter sounds, diminishing what should be big-hitting, high-impacting moments.

But all minor problems are engulfed by the majestic and creative sets, with a showstopper in practically every scene. Special shout-outs go to songs Practically Perfect, the co-ordination required to perform Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, the entire cast performing Step In Time and the magical effects involved in Spoonful of Sugar.
The only scene proving a little odd involves a giant lit up Parrot Umbrella... We're still not too sure about that one.

The Red Carpet included a who's who of the Theatre and Entertainment Industries, with guests including David Campbell, James Hird, Eddie McGuire, Megan Castran, Angela Bishop, Josh Thomas, Daryl Summers, Patti Newton, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Jeanne Pratt, Liz Stiles, Flip Simmons, Rhonda Burchmore, Russel Gilbert, Jason Coleman, Alan Fletcher, John Brumby, Ruby Rose and Vince Colosimo.

British taxis were used to transport guests to the lavish afterparty at the Sofitel, with umbrellas adorning the ceiling. Waiters dressed as Chimney Sweeps served a selection of British foods and drinks, including cheeses, pavlovas, ice cream in waffle cones and spoonfuls of sugar.

Mary Poppins is truly the theatre event of the season. The season is selling exceptionally well, so get your tickets now.

Another Risky Musical?

2010-07-20T18:24:00.000-07:00

On the back of Dr. Zhivago's launch, Gordon Frost has confirmed it will premiere it's other new musical, An Officer and a Gentleman, in Sydney early 2012.

Do You Hear The People Sing?

2010-07-20T04:20:00.001-07:00

A revival of Les Mis to hit Australia in 2012. More info as it comes.

Dr. Z, Z, Calling Dr Z.

2010-07-20T01:07:00.001-07:00

Doctor Zhivago the Musical has been launched in Sydney today. It will play in the Lyric theatre, not in the Capitol as predicted.
The female leads were not announced today, indicating there has still been problems finding suitable actresses.
Zhivago will have a limited 8 week run beginning Friday the 11th of Feb 2011. Tickets are currently on sale via Ticketmaster, using the password Doctor.
The show is expected to transfer to Melbourne at some point for another 8 week season, most likely into the Princess Theatre after Hairspray or Her Majesty's Theatre later in the year.

Get in quick!

2010-07-19T20:06:00.001-07:00

Inside sources have revealed Hairspray's booking on the Princess Theatre is even shorter than expected - 4 months initially with a 2 month extension possible.

It does make us wonder though - what is booked into the Princess after those 6 months?

Adelaide... Meet Lucy Durack

2010-07-18T00:26:00.000-07:00

Lucy Durack will be a special guest star at Adelaide's ASMF cocktail party this Wednesday night at the Adelaide EntertainmentCentre. Tickets are still avaliable but will not be for much longer.

Anyone wishing to see Erin Hasan perform the role of Glinda before she departs the production, head to the Wednesday night and most probably Wednesday Matinee shows.

Mary Poppins Understudies

2010-07-15T07:03:00.001-07:00

We can now announce all the Mary Poppins Understudies.

Mary Poppins: Sarah Bakker, Christina Tan
Bert: Mark Hill, Drew Weston
George Banks: Michael Lindner, Adam Murphy
Winnifred Banks: Natalie Alexopoulos, Christina Tan
Ms Andrew: Louise Bell, Anna-Lee Robinson
Mrs Brill: Carrie Barr, Louise Bell, Kirsten King
Robertson Ay: Benjamin Girrard, Liam Mack
Admirale Boom/Chairman: Troy Sussman, Jack Webster
Birdwoman: Carrie Barr, Kirsten King

What's On: Melbourne

2010-07-15T03:29:00.001-07:00

Over the next few days, we will posting information as to shows on in various cities around the country.
First up: The Musicals Capital - Melbourne

Jersey Boys
Closing Sunday July 25th.
No longer offering Student Rush Tickets, best option is to call the box office for decent tickets at this late stage.

Mary Poppins
Playing now at Her Majesty’s Theatre. Opening Night Thursday July 29th. Also selling VERY well, try Showbiz or the Box Office.

The Production Company at the State Theatre:
The King and I
July 14 – 24th. Tickets mostly $90/$80, but top of the balcony are $42

The Boy From Oz
Starring Todd McKenny. Almost sold out, possible extension. August 18- August 22nd.

Sugar
Starring Christie Wheelan. September 29th – October 3rd. Almost sold out – Hurry!

Viva Las Vegas
The Palms at Crown, August 7th

West Side Story
The Regent Theatre
From August 20 – October 3 (presently)
Press Night: Tuesday August 24th
Tuesday-Sunday schedule, Wednesday and Saturday Matinee
Selling very well, try Showbiz.com.au (or Qantas Box Office) for decent tickets.

Hairspray
Princess Theatre.
Opening Night October 2nd. Tues – Sun schedule, Matinees Wednesday and Saturday. Previews September 23rd – October 1st.

Rob Guest Endowment Concert
October 4th at Her Majesty’s Theatre. Tickets to be released soon

Rock of Ages
From April at the Comedy Theatre. Tickets to be released in October.

Sharing Information

2010-07-15T02:55:00.001-07:00

Just a friendly little Admin note.
The whole point of this blog is so inside information on Musicals can become more widely known.
In order to protect the accuracy of our information and so as to avoid a 'chinese whispers' effect, if you are going to share the information around, please either quote it directly or provide a link to the original post.
Let's keep common knowledge accurate!
Thanks in advance.

Love really Never Dies

2010-07-15T02:50:00.000-07:00

The Really Useful company have today confirmed rumours that the Sequel to the Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies, has had to push back it's Melbourne Opening.
On the back of many negative reviews from London, Andrew Lloyd Webber has postponed the production to rework the musical, in particular the (rather dodgy) script.
Auditions were initiall scheduled for October 2010, but will now be very late 2010/Early 2011.

Clarification on Wicked

2010-07-15T02:46:00.000-07:00

It appears that the Wicked the Musical Facebook fanpage has incorrectly interpreted our information.

Just to clarify, we do NOT believe Zoe Gertz will be leaving Wicked at this point in time. Samantha Hagen will be added as a 4th possible Elphaba, possible due to Zoe's impending Wedding/Honeymoon.

And she has liftoff...

2010-07-14T06:39:00.000-07:00

By all reports, Mary Poppins' first preview tonight in Melbourne has gone off without a hitch, leaving audiences spellbound.

The full ensemble has therefore finally been revealed.

It consists of: Mitch Fistrovic, Leah Howard, Adam Murphy, Troy Sussman, Jack Webster, Natalie Alexopoulos, Justin Anderson, Sarah Bakker, Carrie Barr, Louise Bell, Dion Bilios, Angelique Cassimatis, Dean Coach (Swing), Nicholas Eaton, Benjamin Giraud, Mark Hill, Kirsten King (Dance Captain/Swing), Sarah Landy, Michael Lindner, Stephen McDowell (Swing), Liam McIlwain, Victoria Rimington, Anne-Lee Robertson, Christina Tan and Drew Weston.

EDIT: Ms Carrie Barr has since left the production due to illness. It is believed she has been replaced by Lisa Sontag.

The Banks Children will be rotated between 5 couples of children.

Jane: Victoria Borcsok, Hayley Edwards, Zoe Gousmett, Scout Hook and Sara Reed
Michael: Mark Balas, Callum Hawthorne, Trent Heath, Kade Hughes and Kurtis Papadinis,

Wicked update

2010-07-14T06:31:00.000-07:00

There are to be several more cast changes within Wicked before the Brisbane season opens.

Dance Captain James Maxfield has an injury requiring surgery. He will be out for 6 months and it is unclear whether he will ever return. It is expected Ryan Sheppard will become the new Dance Captain.

Ensemble member Deanna O'Leary will also not be making the treck north.

New Elphaba Understudy Samantha Hagen will start in the next month. It is believed she will take Renee Armstrong's track as a 2nd understudy. It is not believed current understudy Zoe Gertz will be leaving.

Lead witches Jemma Rix and Lucy Durack have signed on for the Brisbane season.

Corny Collins Cover

2010-07-08T00:26:00.001-07:00

Two weeks out from Hairspray rehearsals commencing, producers are still struggling to find suitable ensemble members. In particular they are looking for a Corny Collins cover.

Wickedness no longer

2010-07-08T00:22:00.000-07:00

In Wicked-related news today, we have learnt that recent auditions have been held in Sydney and Melbourne. Among the positions needing filling are one female ensemble, one male ensemble/Fiyero cover and a Glinda Standby.
Present Glinda Erin Hasan will not be continuing with the tour, leaving at the end of the Sydney run.
We have previously confirmed Mike Snell and Renee Armstrong to be departing to join Hairspray, so these other positions would be to replace them.

Remember my name in October

2010-07-06T01:18:00.001-07:00

It has been confirmed today that as we previously said, Fame will go into the Capitol Theatre in Sydney, from October 9th, with Press Night on October 14.

Tickets are currently on sale on Showbiz. Ticketmaster will release seats on Monday, July 12th. When chosing tickets, keep in mind the stage at Melbourne's Regent Theatre was extremely high. Seats in rows A-D of the Capitol would be highly recommended.

There will be many cast changes, due to cast members leaving for other productions. The audition process is in it's final stages, with an offer being made to a Melbournian-based actress for the role of Mabel.

Big girls don't cry... over ticket prices.

2010-07-04T18:12:00.000-07:00

With Jersey Boys in it's last month in Melbourne, tickets for the Sydney season have been released and they don't come cheap.
Producer seats have increased from $200 in Melbourne to $250 in Sydney to accomodate for the smaller venue. With approximately 600 less seats than in Melbourne, ticket prices have been forced upwards.
Our tip for buying Jersey Boys tickets is to look at some of the cheaper price brackets instead of looking at 'Best Avaliable'. By doing this, tickets in the 2nd row were found for $135 instead of the premium $165 for much further back. Despite the prices, ticket seem to be selling very well, with Showbiz sold out for the first 6 weeks.

Jersey Boys will be closing in Melbourne on July 25th and transferring to Sydney's Royal theatre. Previews start from September 3rd, with Opening Night September 18.
Expect to see some new faces within the cast.

More Hairspray

2010-07-02T07:18:00.000-07:00

The Musical Insider can now confirm that Wicked cast member Mike Snell will be in the ensemble for Hairspray.
All the best to him!

Tonight, Tonight...

2010-06-30T23:53:00.001-07:00

A big shout out to the cast of West Side Story for their first show tonight. The production seems to be a scaled version down of the production, but features a stellar cast. There is definately Helpmann Award talk about this production!

Rob Guest Endowment

2010-06-30T23:26:00.000-07:00

The closing date for entries for the Rob Guest Endowment have been extended until next Friday, July 9th. If you haven't thought about it as yet, do it!!

The only thing better than Hairspray? That's... undecided

2010-06-29T22:57:00.001-07:00

Despite the principal roles being announced on Monday, the Insider has been tipped off that auditions for some ensemble roles are still continuing. When an announcement is made, expect to see cast members from Wicked and Fame represented.

Rob Guest Endowment 2010

2010-06-29T22:56:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder to all aspiring Musical Theatre performers, there are only 2 days left to get your entries in for the 2010 Rob Guest Endowment.
The Endowment was a huge success last year in it's first year, with eventual winner Danielle Matthews performing with 5 other talented finalists in a star-studded concert.

This year the event proves to be bigger than ever. On May 17, the cast of Wicked performed a production of Sondheim's Into The Woods, raising over $90,000 for the charity.
This year's concert will be on Monday the 4th of October at Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne.
Entries close at 5pm July 2nd in Sydney.

For details or to make a donation, head to
http://www.robguestendowment.com.au/

When is Sydney going to live forever?

2010-06-29T22:02:00.000-07:00

There is much speculation about the fate of the musical Fame.
After lackluster sales in Melbourne, the Brisbane season seems to be performing better. News that cast member Jaz Flowers will be leaving the show to play the lead in Hairspray has helped sales. The question now is when it will go to Sydney and in what venue
The Brisbane season is set to finish early August.

Looking at the availability of Sydney theatres, there are only 2 potential theatres for it to go into. Wicked is booked into the Capitol until September 12, with a week at the minimum to bump out.
Swan Lake will be occupying the Lyric theatre until September 5.

It has been confirmed Fame will run until at least mid-November in Sydney, so it looks as if a mid to late September opening for Fame.

The Wicked Witch heads West

2010-06-29T02:50:00.001-07:00

We've had quite a few people asking if Wicked is going to Perth after Brisbane and Adelaide.
The answer is Yes, Perth will be a tour stop in 2011.

Lend me a Soprano

2010-06-29T00:43:00.000-07:00

It seems Gordon Frost is having problems finding Sopranos for it's new production of Zhivago the Musical. Neither of the two lead Soprano roles have been cast, despite an extensive audition process and some very talented singers auditioning.
Rehearsals commence in December.

Zhivago opens on Feburary 19 at the Lyric Theatre in Sydney.

Renee Armstrong to play Amber

2010-06-28T05:23:00.000-07:00

As a previous entry mentioned, it has now been confirmed that Wicked ensemble member, Renee Armstrong, will be playing the role of Amber von Tussle in Hairspray. Congratulotions to her!

Dreamgirls to hit Australia?

2010-06-28T01:02:00.000-07:00

Rumour has it a a production of Dreamgirls is to reach Australia in the not-too distant future, either late next year or early 2012.

Meanwhile the cast of Mary Poppins move into Her Majesty's Theatre this week... Sources say the set and props are looking practically perfect in every way. Expect a completely magical production! Tickets are selling fast, keep an eye on Showbiz for decent seating.

Amber?

2010-06-27T23:35:00.001-07:00

Following the Hairspray Cast announcement today, there have been rumours that Renee Armstrong from Wicked will play the role of Amber von Tussle. It is not known how accurate these rumour are.

Hairspray Offial Cast Announcement

2010-06-27T21:32:00.000-07:00

Further to our post about Hairspray casting, we can now confirm that Cle Morgan will indeed be playing the role of Motormouth Maybelle and Nancy Denis will be playing Little Inez.

Below are some photos of the launch for your convenience, credited to the TheatrePeople website.

Twitter

2010-06-27T07:15:00.000-07:00

The blog now can be found on twitter.

http://twitter.com/musicalsinsider

Although it is just starting up, we hope to use twitter to spread the word!

Wickedness

2010-06-27T06:08:00.000-07:00

We know there are many Wicked fans out there, so here's one for you.

Keep your eyes peeled for a new Elphaba cover- 17 year old Samantha Hagen. One can only hope that a 17-year old has developed a good enough vocal technique to not develop the problems of so many Elphabas before her.

In other Wicked news, it appears an Australian Wicked cast member will be joining an American production. But who could it be? This blogger doesn't think it will be an elphaba - we need as many as we can get!
This could be under equity rules, to pay-back for borrowing Carmen Cusack and Jennifer Dinoia for a total of about 3.5 months from America.

Andrew Lloyd Webber Strikes Back

2010-06-26T07:14:00.001-07:00

Theatregoers, keep your eyes peeled for more Andrew Lloyd Webber to hit our shores later this year.
Auditions for Love Never Dies and the Phantom of the Opera are currently scheduled for October, being produced by the Very Useful Group. This seems to indicate a new Phantom Tour of Asia and possibly Australia.
Lloyd Webber has indicated he wishes to 'tinker' with LND, so expect an Australian Opening to most likely be pushed back until 2011.

Hairspray Melbourne casting

2010-06-26T07:01:00.000-07:00

The cast of Hairspray the Musical has been unofficially announced today.
The cast has been made up of primarily performs that are relative unknowns, but have performed professionally. This cast includes:

Tracy: Jaz Flowers
Penny: Esther Hannaford
Link: Jack Chambers
Wilbur: Grant Piro
Edna: Trever Ashley
Velma: Marney McQueen
Corny Collins: Scott Irwin

Amber and Maybel have yet to be announced, but the signs seem to point to Cle from Australian Idol taking on Motormouth Maybel. This blogger hopes this is not the cast - Cle is far too young. This blogger would like to see Darleene Love reprise her role from Broadway.

The rumours are that the ensemble cast will mostly perform with pre-recorded vocals.
Whatever happened to live theatre?

Musicals Gossip

2010-06-26T06:57:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone reading this.
Welcome to the Mystery in Musicals. In this blog, we will be telling you things about the Australian theatre industry that no-one will officially.

If anyone has any tip-offs or scoops, feel free to email them to MysteriousMusicals@gmail.com.

Enjoy!