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.
_
Monday, October 11, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Rob Guest Endowment Concert
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
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
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Hairspray Understudies
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
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
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Rob Guest Endowment Concert
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.
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
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.
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!
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.
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.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Andrew Lloyd Webber in Concert
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)