Stepping Out at Miranda

Miranda Musical Society will be Stepping Out on the Sutherland Memorial School of Arts stage from June 14 in a good-natured tap-dancing comedy by Richard Harris.

Stepping Out chronicles several months in the life of a beginners’ dance class (the Hollywood version starred Liza Minnelli and Julie Walters).

Each of the eight students - who come from a variety of backgrounds - has their own reason for being there:

Maxine, a confident, fast-talking saleswoman, is there on doctor's orders; self-sacrificing Andy participates because it is the only thing she does for herself. Whatever the cause, they make a point of coming every week to chat, relax and - if they can manage - learn a couple of dance steps.Led by Mavis, their eternally patient instructor, accompanied by acerbic pianist Mrs. Fraser, the students (ranging from competent to hopeless) strive to master the basics of dance.

But the steps and routines are just the background for the real focus of the musical - the relationships and interactions of these ten very different people. By their final performance, not only have the class members developed some degree of skill, but they have overcome the inhibitions, awkwardness and personality conflicts that had kept them out of sync.

“When I first read the script for Stepping Out, my vision for the show was to maintain its authenticity. That is, set the play in London, in a run down North London church hall,” director Brett Russell told Stage Whispers.

“The script is very descriptive about how the set should look, and we are therefore hoping we can replicate that look. My aim is to direct a fast moving production that allows us to move from location to location with ease, so the set has been designed to allow a seamless change of scene.

“Setting the play in London also presents the challenge of the various English accents that we need to achieve from the characters within the show, for example, North London, London cockney, Essex etc.

“What I find especially appealing about this show is that I think everyone who comes along to see Stepping Out will relate to one or even a few of the characters within the piece. Each character brings their own story, as to why they attend the weekly tap class.

“Stepping Out is essentially a play with music. It's therefore an opportunity for MMS and its cast to ‘step outside the square’ of traditional musicals and allow the cast to really utilise their acting skills. The book is very strong and offers a variety of emotions from comedy right down to very thought-provoking moments. Besides the wonderful humour in the script, there will be times where the audience will need to take a step back and really think about the lives of these characters.

“And, best of all, given that the majority of the show is set a rundown church hall, we get to have little fun at the end. Sssssh, I won't tell you. It will spoil the surprise.”

Brett Russell is joined on the production team by Dean Turner (musical direction) and Natalie Leather (choreography). The cast features Tim Wotherspoon as Geoffrey, Penny Stewart as Mavis, Bernadette Wallace as Lynne,  Nicole Butler as Dorothy, Robyn Lassman as Maxine, Louise Jaques as Andy, Ellie McAdams as Sylvia, Sally O' Donoghue as Vera, Anne-Marie McAdams as Mrs Fraser and Julia Brovedani as Rose.

Photographer: Zana Cohen.

Miranda Musical Society presents
Stepping Out - The Musical
By Richard Harris
14-23 June 2013
Sutherland Memorial School of Arts,
East Parade, Sutherland
June 14 – 23, 2013

Fri 14, Sat 15, Wed 19, Fri 21, Sat 22nd at 8pm 
Plus Sat 15, Sun 16, Sat 22 & Sun 23 at 2pm

www.mirandamusicalsociety.com.au

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