The Production Company Season 2014

Jeanne Pratt AC, Chairman of The Production Company, has announced her Company’s 2014 season.

‘Three very different musicals are coming to Melbourne for our 2014 Season. Spanning sixty years of Broadway creativity, they are three of my favourite Broadway classics. Guys and Dolls opens our season on July 19, Show Boat opens on August 16 and our third musical is La Cage Aux Folles, which opens on November 22.

‘To star in these musicals, we have engaged artists who will shine and enchant our audiences.

‘Unique stagings for each musical will be created by our brightest directors, choreographers and conductors. Melbourne is in for another great year of musical theatre entertainment.’

Guys and Dolls opens in Arts Centre Melbourne’s State Theatre on July 19 for a season of ten performances, in a new staging directed by the award winning Gale Edwards, with Musical Director Guy Simpson and Choreographer Nathan M. Wright, with costumes by Tim Chappel and scenery by Shaun Gurton.

Verity Hunt-Ballard (Sarah Brown), Chelsea Plumley (Miss Adelaide), Martin Crewes (Sky Masterson) and Adam Murphy (Nathan Detroit) star in this musical which has been described as “a triumph and a delight”, “a work of art” and the “perfect musical comedy”. Guys and Dolls brings Damon Runyon’s much-loved New York underworld to life. Gangsters, gamblers, evangelists and showgirls inhabit this musical fable of Broadway and its hit songs are Luck Be A Lady, Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat, I’ve Never Been in Love Before and Adelaide’s Lament (A Person Can Develop a Cold).

SHOW BOAT opens in Arts Centre Melbourne’s State Theatre on August 16 for a season of ten performances.

Alinta Chidzey Magnolia), Christina O’Neill (Julie), Gareth Keegan (Gaylord Ravenal), Philip Gould and Eddie Muliaumaseali’I star in this musical masterpiece created by Oscar Hammerstein ll and Jerome Kern. The creative team responsible for the award winning Grey Gardens, Director Roger Hodgman, Musical Director Kellie Dickerson, and Choreographer Dana Jolly return to stage Show Boat, with a design team of Christina Smith (Set) and Isaac Lummis (Costumes) with lighting by Matt Scott.

With the themes of racial prejudice and tragic love, Show Boat follows the lives of actors, stagehands and dockworkers on the Cotton Blossom, a Mississippi river show boat. Described as ‘A Jewel of the American Theatre’ Show Boat is famous for its classic songs: Make Believe, Bill, Life Upon the Wicked Stage, Can’t Help Lovin’ That Man and Ol’ Man River.

Always an audience favourite, Show Boat has been revived on Broadway and the West End winning the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical and The Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival.

La Cage Aux Folles opens in Arts Centre Melbourne’s Playhouse on November 22 for a run of seventeen performances.

Todd McKenney and Simon Burke star as Albin and Georges, who have lived together happily for twenty years above their nightclub La Cage Aux Folles. Georges is the owner and MC, and Albin is its star drag performer, Zaza. Rhonda Burchmore returns in the role of Jacqueline.

Composer Jerry Herman’s (Hello Dolly!, Mame, Mack and Mabel) score includes You On My Arm, The Best of Times and the anthem I Am What I Am. Four time Tony Award winner, Harvey Fierstein’s credits include Torch Song Trilogy, Newsies and the current Broadway smash Kinky Boots.

The creative duo from Anything Goes, The Producers and The Pirates of Penzance – Director Dean Bryant and choreographer Andrew Hallsworth - will create this new production. The Musical Director is Mathew Frank, scenery is by Dale Ferguson and costumes by Owen Phillips.

Launching the new season at her home, Raheen, Jeanne Pratt said: ‘With the ever increasing demand for tickets to our shows, this year we are introducing additional performances for each production. We will be presenting a total of 37 performances. Our ticket prices are being kept competitive and we are especially proud of our 50% discount for anyone under 18, with tickets for as little as $23.’

For full details of the shows go on line to www.theproductioncompany.com.au

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