News

Developing a New Aussie Musical

Sydney-based musical theatre development initiative New Musicals Australia held its inaugural workshops during March. Two new Australian musicals, a.voidand A Little Touch of Chaos (by the writers of The Hatpin) were workshopped, culminating in showcase performances, while eight other new musicals were shown to industry panels in shorter presentations.

Neil Litchfield spoke to Neil Gooding (director) and James Millar (writer) of A Little Touch of Chaosabout the workshop.

Jemma Rix: Defying Gravity

Meet the Rising Wicked Witch of the West.

For Jemma Rix, the popular star of the musical Wicked, it has been a meteoric rise. She’s soared from the ensemble of her local musical society on the NSW Central Coast to the plum role of green witch Elphaba. Jemma spoke to Neil Litchfield as she prepared for the Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth seasons.

Neil Litchfield: How do you prepare for a performance as the green witch Elphaba?

Choreographing Grease

When Brisbane’s Harvest Rain Theatre Company stage Grease at the Playhouse, QPAC, from May 6, Callum Mansfield’s choreography will be a major feature of the production.

Mary Poppins in Sydney

Mary Poppins has commenced previews at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre, with opening night on May 5, following a hugely successful, award-winning, Melbourne season. Stage Whispers had the opportunity to chat with cast members Verity Hunt-Ballard (Mary Poppins), Sally-Anne Upton (Mrs Brill) and Christopher Rickerby (Robertson Ay) prior to the opening night.  

New Australian Musicals Wanted

Cabaret to grunge, rock opera to musicals – the hunt for Carnegie 18 music theatre creators.

After an almost sold-out 2011 season, the Arts Centre is beginning its search for new music theatre ensembles for the upcoming season of Carnegie 18.

A new music theatre development project funded by the Arts Centre in conjunction with the Australia Council and the Arts Centre, Carnegie 18 aims to uncover and support bold, innovative thinking in contemporary music theatre across Australia.

Robyn Nevin, Pamela Rabe and Aidan Fennessy to program the 2012 MTC Season

Chairman of the Melbourne Theatre Company Board, Derek Young has announced that the 2012 Melbourne Theatre Company Season will be created by Robyn Nevin, Pamela Rabe and Aidan Fennessy.

Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2011 Underway - International Stars to Tour.

The Adelaide Cabaret Festival (June 10 – 25) is underway, with Olivia Newton-John as headliner.

Amy Lehpamer

Frank Hatherley interviews the rising star of the Australian production of Rock of Ages (2011).

Amy Lehpamer’s road to musical theatre stardom can only be described as ‘unique’.

How many Catholic girl school educated, classical violin playing, university degreed, WAAPA rejected, self-taught singer/dancers do you know?

Side by Side by Sondheim - Q & A

A new production of the Stephen Sondheim revue Side By Side By Sondheim will play at Sydney’s Seymour Centre from April 12 – 16.

Side By Side By Sondheim celebrates musical numbers from the early part of Sondheim’s career, such as West Side Story, Gypsy, Company and A Little Night Music, and features musical theatre standards including Losing My Mind, Broadway Baby, Being Alive and Send In The Clowns.

The Production Company - Further 2011 Casting Announced.

Todd McKenney and Christie Whelan are among the new stars announced for The Production Company's 2011 Season.

Melbourne’s unique musical theatre company, The Production Company, has  announced the casts for its 2011 Season - three contrasting Broadway musicals from three very different eras - Anything Goes, Kismet and the Australian premiere season of Grey Gardens.

Subscribe to our E-Newsletter, buy our latest print edition or find a Performing Arts book at Book Nook.