Applications for all awards are now open for the 2017 Rob Guest Endowment Awards. The Rob Guest Endowmentprovides financial assistance and industry support to Australia’s next generation of musical theatre stars, creators and musicians. The 2017 prize package is valued at over $50,000, including the $20,000 major prize, the Rob Guest Endowment Award.
Hayes Theatre Co has announced the remaining cast and creative team for their production of Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award-winning musical Assassins to play for a limited season from September 15, directed by Dean Bryant (Little Shop of Horrors, Sweet Charity).
The world’s greatest public theatre companies are making fortunes out of blockbuster commercial musicals they develop in-house. Peter Gotting looks at how monster hits such as Hamilton, Les Misérables, A Chorus Line and Matilda are bankrolling not-for-profit organisations.
Producers John Frost and Suzanne Jones have announced their new star who will play the coveted role of Dorothy Gale in the upcoming Australian tour of the world’s favourite musical, The Wizard of Oz. Stepping out of the chorus and into the limelight, Samantha Leigh Dodemaide will wear the ruby slippers of Dorothy.
The sun and surf of Summer Bay seem a million miles away from The Bodyguard, though Australian Idol probably hits far closer to home. Stars of the musical, Paulini and Kip Gamblin, chatted to Neil Litchfield ahead of the show's Australian premiere.
The 17th Annual Helpmann Awards were presented at a ceremony on Monday 24 July at the Capitol Theatre, Sydney, on the set of Kinky Boots.
Major awards included The Book of Mormon (Best Musical), The Drover's Wife (both Best Play and Best New Australian Work), Saul (Best Opera) and Snow White (Best Ballet).
Big winners of the evening were Barry Kosky's Adelaide Festival production of the Handel opera Saul and Belvoir's production of Leah Purcell's The Drover's Wife.
The first ever professional production of Paris – written and composed by Jon English and David Mackay - will be staged in concert form at the Melbourne Recital Hall from July 13 to 15. The much-loved work is being edited by the late rock musician’s son Jonathan English, who is “channelling” his father’s original vision. David Spicer – the agent for the musical - has the inside story.
Following the success of their double-platinum selling Christmas #1 UK album, Together and major sold out tours of the UK, Live Nation has announced that musical theatre legends Michael Ball and Alfie Boe will bring their Together tour to Australia in October 2017. Ball and Boe are two of the most cherished performers in the UK, with two of the greatest voices.
The opening of the musical Aladdin at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne brought composer Alan Menken to the city. Patricia Di Risio listened in as Menken explained a little about the art of making musicals.
Alan Menken loves being interviewed next to a grand piano, allowing him to break up the talking with some of his beautiful melodies. In the case of Aladdin, the most famous tune is “A Whole New World”, the centerpiece of the original animated film and now the musical.
