Simon Gleeson plays Raoul in the Australian production of Love Never Dies, now playing at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre following its success in Melbourne. He spoke to Neil Litchfield prior to the Sydney opening.
After working in London for several years, Love Never Dies sees the WAAPA graduate back in his first substantial musical theatre performance since returning to the Australia.
Time hasn’t been kind to poor dashing Raoul since the first installment of Phantom, I suggested.
Latest: Aaron Sorkin has withdrawn from Houdini due to film and TV committments.
Hugh Jackman has signed up to play Harry Houdini on Broadway in a new musical about the famed illusionist.
"In many ways I've been preparing for this role my whole life," said the Aussie superstar fresh from smashing box office records with his one man solo show on Broadway.
The musical, written by West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin, will open in New York in 2013 or 2014.
Todd McKenney, well-known as Dancing With the Stars’ ‘tough’ or ‘nasty’ judge, now has two of musical theatre’s top hoofers as dancing partners, Nancye Hayes (Miss Hannigan) and Chloë Dallimore (Lily St Regis), in the new Australian production of Annie. Neil Litchfield asked for their adjudication on Todd’s dancing a few days before opening.
I’d just watched the trio performing Easy Street at the Media Call for the production of Annie.
The 9th Australian Cabaret Showcase held its Grand Final event in Sydney on December 23, 2011, with winners of heats from Sydney, Melbourne and Gosford invited to perform at the annual event.
Ever wondered what it would be like to invest in show business? Producer John Frost knows more about this than anyone in Australia. In 2012 he is staging Annie, Legally Blonde the Musical and the world premiere of An Officer and a Gentleman.
At the casting launch for ‘Officer‘ he gave Neil Litchfield the lowdown.
2012 started with a musical theatre bang, with new productions of two Broadway classics, two hit productions on the move to new capital cities and small musicals, local and international, opening in the space of a few weeks. World premieres of major musicals for both Sydney and Melbourne in May, and seasons for smaller Aussie musicals on sporting themes follow. Find out what Stage Whispers writers think will set your feet tapping in 2012 and beyond.
Hollywood screenwriter William Goldman said, when asked whether or not it was possible to predict which movies would be successful and which would fail, “Nobody knows anything.”How do our theatre makers go? Stage Whispers asked some of our artistic directors how they balance risk when planning a season.
Lyndon Terracini- Opera Australia.
“There two extremes. You need both ends. If you push boundaries with one production you need to find another piece which is more accessible.
When the notices went up, literally thousands of young girls around Australia put up their hands to audition for the musical Annie on stage next year in Sydney. Melbourne and Brisbane auditions follow next year. While they may dream of stardom, is scoring a lead role at a young age good for them? David Spicer spoke to former child stars to find out what happens when the applause dies down.
In 1978 Gabi Schornegg auditioned for the role of Annie in the first production ever staged in Sydney. She had the opposite of traditional stage parents.
Whitney Fitzsimmons looks at 2012 theatre seasons across Australia.
It’s that time of year again when theatre companies from across the country release their eagerly awaited new seasons. Avid members of Australia’s theatrical community attend launches, crack open season brochures and hungrily peruse what’s on offer in 2012 - almost like patrons on the waiting list of the latest most chic restaurant, salivating, waiting to be seated and experience that first delectable meal.
