The Production Company: Season 2015

The Production Company has announced its 2015 season of three musicals, to be performed for short seasons at Arts Centre Melbourne.

First up is West Side Story, for a season of ten performances from July 11 in the State Theatre.

Gale Edwards directs the production, with musical direction by Guy Simpson, and Michael Ralph recreating the original Jerome Robbins choreography. With music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Arthur Laurents, West Side Story was inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The score inclues 'Somewhere', 'America', 'Maria' and 'Tonight'.

The production will star Anna O’Byrne as Maria, Gareth Keegan as Tony, Deone Zanotto as Anita and Adam Fiorentino as Bernard.

The Australian Premiere of Nice Work If You Can Get It, with its score of Gershwin classics including 'Let's Call The Whole Thing Off', 'Someone to Watch Over Me' and 'Fascinating Rhythm', follows from August 15, in the State Theatre. Rohan Browne is Jimmy Winter, a wealthy and handsome playboy. Esther Hannaford is Billie Bendix, a feisty but beautiful bootlegger who is on the run from the law and steals Jimmy’s heart. Christie Whelan-Browne is Jimmy’s fiancé Eileen Evergreen, the self-proclaimed finest interpreter of modern dance in the world. Roger Hodgman will direct, John Foreman is musical director and Dana Jolly is choreographer.

The final production is Jerry’s Girls, celebrating the musicals of Jerry Herman (Hello Dolly!, Mame and La Cage aux Folles) will play at the Arts Centre Melbourne’s Playhouse from November 21, for a season of 17 performances. Nancye Hayes, Rhonda Burchmore, Silvie Paladino, Christie Whelan-Browne and Kirby Burgess will be among  the twelve Australian leading ladies starring in this new staging, directed by Dean Bryant, with musical direction by Matthew Frank and choreography by Andrew Hallsworth.

Images: Adam Florentino and Deone Zanotto (West Side Story) and Silvie Paladino, Christie Whelan-Browne, Rhonda Burchmore and Kirby Burgess (Nice Work If You Can Get It).

www.theproductioncompany.com.au

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