Musical Works 2011 at Theatre Works

Theatre Works continues its unwavering support of Australian independent artists with the announcement of its inaugural Musical Works season from December 1-10 2011. Musical Works are pleased to present two productions for the 2011 season with both presenting companies being mentored by the Artistic Director of the highly successful Magnormos Theatre Company, Aaron Joyner. House Warming is a brand new Australian Musical presented in partnership with Apollo Productions and Give My Regards to Broady presented in partnership with Karin Muiznieks, heralds a return of the smash hit 2008 Comedy Festival production. Both productions feature some of the hottest young directors, creators and performers this town can offer.

Each year innovative St Kilda Theatre Company, Theatre Works programs and curates a season with a focus on a specific art-form and Music Works is the focus in 2011: Previous years have seen Theatre Works create Moving Works – supporting the work of independent choreographers and dance companies, Circus Works – programming and mentoring new works developed by emerging circus artists, Girls at Work – a program devoted to the work of female theatre artists. In 2011 Theatre Works will support the development andpresentation of two new Australian musical theatre productions.

Since 2003 Theatre Works has supported Magnormos Theatre, a vibrant company that promotes new Australian music theatre and enjoys many sell out seasons of work. The Artistic Director of Magnormos and director of the hit show, flowerchildren, Aaron Joyner will mentor both of the selected companies as they bring their work to the stage.

House Warming is a brand new Australian musical written by Belinda Jenkin (Practically Perfect, Butterfly Club) and William Hannagan (Gym Junkie, Butterfly Club). This is their first musical. This exciting premiere work will be directed by Petra Kalive (Red Stitch, St Martins Youth, Melbourne Playback) and performed by some of Melbourne’s hottest and brightest young performers.

Set in St Kilda in 1 share house with 6 house mates. Some are escaping pushy parents, some have pushed theirs over the edge, some have been roaming free and need a place to call home. 6 new beginnings. This coming of age story is about yearning for freedom and what happens when we finally get it.

Give My Regards To Broady premiered in the 2008 Melbourne International Comedy Festival andplayed to sold out houses.

Theatre Works is thrilled to be giving its creators the opportunity to revisit and develop this already successful work further.

Broadyis a celebration of everything that makes this city tick – from Ticket Inspectors to Livinia Nixon – as seen through the eyes of four aspiring Melbourne artists.

Housemates, Karin and James have their sights firmly set on the big lights of fame and fortune but as the bills start piling up they begin to  wonder if a career in the arts is all it’s cracked up to be. With the help of their friends Erin and Luke they accidentally create a full-scale Broadway-style musical in their own living room, finding happiness somewhere between Kander and Ebb and the kitchen sink.

Written by Green Room Award nominee Karin Muiznieks (World War Wonderful, Filthy Secrets), James Simpson (Lasalle College of the Arts) and Antenna Award nominee Dan Walmsley (Planet Nerd, Laughmageddon II: The Copenhagening.) Directed by Green Room Award nominee Scott Gooding (Eric, Blood, First Against The Wall.)

Image: Claire Healy & Leigh Jay Booth - Give My Regards To Broady. Costumes by Allison Drosdowsky. Photographer: Colin Page. 

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