The Boy From Oz extends

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

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

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...

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

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...

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

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.