News

2014 Helpmann Awards Nominations

Nominations for the 2014 Helpmann Awards were announced simultaneously tonight (July 14) at events in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart and Perth.

The nominations, across 41 categories, were announced by various performers in each city including Lisa McCune, Todd McKenney, Jonathon Biggins, John Wood, Nancye Hayes, Simon Gleeson, Li Cunxin and Greta Scacchi.

The John Frost / Opera Australia production of The King and I was recognised with 10 nominations.

ONCE: Cast Announced

Over a morning Guinness at Melbourne’s downtown Irish Times pub, the cast was announced today (11 July) for the multi-award-winning musical ONCE, opening 4 October, 2014 at the Princess Theatre. They are Anton Berezin, Andrew Broadbent, Ben Brown, Gerard Carroll, Colin Dean, Brent Hill, Stefanie Jones, Keegan Joyce, Amy Lehpamer, Lachlan Neate, Jane Patterson, Greg Stone, Susan-ann Walker and Paul Watson. Heading up the ensemble in the key roles of Guy and Girl are Tom Parsons and Madeleine Jones.

Melbourne Celebrates a Full House of Musicals

For the first time in five years, Melbourne itself is a “full house”, hosting a major musical theatre production in every heritage theatre in the city.

Les Misérables for Perth and Sydney in 2015

The new production of Les Misérables only had its premiere at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne last night (July 3, 2014), but already producer Cameron Mackintosh has announced that the musical will be storming the barricades in both Sydney and Perth, following a six month season in Melbourrne.

A Perth season, at the Crown Theatre from January 13, 2015 will precede the Sydney season at the Capitol Theatre from March next year.

Ooh Aaaah – The Girl From New York City

One of the world’s great vocalists, Janis Siegel, is here for a short concert tour…and Coral Drouyn is excited.

When you already have nine Grammy awards (from 17 nominations), the only thing left is to win a tenth so that you can have your own bowling alley. Janis Siegel could easily do that on any given day, as one of the world’s top female Jazz vocalists.

New King For Melbourne

Theatre producer John Frost and Opera Australia Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini have announced that Jason Scott Lee has had to withdraw from the Melbourne season of their production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I. Lee has torn a calf muscle, which will preclude him from performing for the rest of the season.

Suzie Howie Celebrated in Melbourne Arts Walk

Publicist Suzie Howie has been honoured on Melbourne’s version of Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.

International theatrical producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh today July 1, 2014) unveiled a Melbourne Arts Walk plaque he purchased to honour publicist Suzie Howie for her contribution to the Melbourne theatre scene.

Chunky Move: Keep Everything

“After watching this performance I think the future of contemporary dance is in safe hands,” wrote Dance Australia of Chunky Move’s fusion of dance, performance, light, sound and image, Keep Everything.  The show can boast of many reviews like that, making it clear Chunky Move has the right moves indeed.

Chunky Move describes Keep Everything as a joyous celebration of our desire to connect with one another. Now the genre-defying company is to connect with Adelaide audiences, when it stages the show at AC Arts in July.

Inside Strictly Ballroom The Musical

Audiences love it, but critics are luke-warm. David Spicer speaks to the writers of the musical, who confirm that changes are planned as it moves into new cities.

At the media call Baz Luhrmann was a little on edge. It was the day before the World Premiere and a vital ingredient was missing from the performance for the large media contingent.

STAGE WHISPERS MAGAZINE: July / August 2014 EDITION OUT NOW!!!

In This Edition:

Beautiful Brains - Angie Milliken and Sigrid Thornton shine in same role

Broadway’s Movie Mania -Stage musicals dance from the celluloid

Rolling Thunder Vietnam - Concert Drama tours Australia

Australia’s New Eponine - Kerrie Anne Greenland

Putting the Sparkle into Musicals - ‘The Firm’, J.C. Williamsons, remembered

Strictly Costumes - Backstage Tour of Strictly Ballroom the Musical

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