Griffith Musical Theatre Student Production Heads South
For the first time since Griffith University’s musical theatre course was inaugurated in 2011, they will be touring a student production to Sydney and Melbourne.
Working, the 1978 Broadway musical adapted by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso from Studs Terkel’s best-selling book, plays at the Conservatorium Theatre, Queensland Conservatorium, from 29 April until 1 May 2015, and follows with a season at Chapel Off Chapel, Melbourne, from 13 May to 16 May, and a Sydney season at Lend Lease, Darling Quarter Theatre 26-27 May.
Based on the stories of everyday working class characters, the musical has songs by Craig Carnelia, Micki Grant, Mary Rodgers, Susan Birkenhead, James Taylor and Schwartz himself. In recent years the musical has been updated with Lin-Manuel Miranda (In the Heights) being added to the composer list. The score includes the cabaret favourite “Just a Housewife.”
Griffith’s group of 3rd year students will be directed by Penny Farrow, with musical direction by Heidi Loveland.
In previous years the Musical Theatre course have toured their Our Turn showcases to Sydney and Melbourne but this will be the first time they have toured a full production outside of Queensland.
Other musicals in their production schedule to play Burke Street Studio Theatre in 2015 include; 2nd year students in Carol Hall’s The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, direction by Lewis Jones, musical direction by Matthew Samer, choreography by Helena Moore, which plays 16-23 May; 3rd year students with Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers, direction by Ian Good, musical direction by Matthew Samer, choreography by Cressida Carre, from 30 July – 22 August; 3rd year students in Michael Bennett’s A Chorus Line with music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Edward Kleban, direction by Lewis Jones, musical direction by David Laugharene, choreography by Cressida Carre, 13-29 August; and 2nd year students with Jonathan Larsen’s Rent, direction by Sue Rider, musical direction by Luke Volker, and choreography by Helena Moore.
Peter Pinne
