Sydney’s New Theatre launched their new brand, developed in collaboration with Principal Partner, Interbrand, on January 17, along with the productions that will make up their 80thAnniversary year season.
Season 2012 includes three Australian premieres and the World premieres of two new Australian works both by emerging female playwrights, together with a selection of modern classics from Ireland, England and Australia.
Big ideas. Bold themes. Beautiful singing. Graeme Murphy’s grand vision of Ancient Peking is back, with American soprano Susan Foster heading an international cast for Puccini’s late, great masterpiece Turandot. This production, which is now considered a classic in the Opera Australia repertoire, features spectacular choreographic chorus moves, sculptural stagecraft and larger than life costumes.
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Latest: Aaron Sorkin has withdrawn from Houdini due to film and TV committments.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.
