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2016 Tony Awards Nominations

Broadway blockbuster musical Hamilton has made Tony Award history with a record total of 16 nominations for the 2016 awards across the 14 categories available, a record previously shared by The Producers (2001) and Billy Elliot (2009), each nominated for 15 awards.

Other nominees in the Best Musical category, for which Hamilton must be considered runaway favoutite, are Bright Star, Waitress, School of Rock — The Musical and Shuffle Along, or, The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed.

Bitten by Theatre

Dogfight finally reaches Melbourne on May 5th at Chapel off Chapel and the musical's director Darilyn Ramondo chats to Coral Drouyn.

There’s an old saying “For Love or Money” – and theatre is not exempt from it. After all, we all have to eat, don’t we? And artists will argue that theatre companies make their moolah regardless of whether they pay the artists what they deserve, don’t they?

Well, actually no, not always - in fact seldom in the crazy world of independent theatre.

A Horror-fying Role

Brent Hill, currently playing Seymour in the cult musical Little Shop of Horrors, talks to Coral Drouyn before the opening this week on May 4th at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre.

Musical Theatre can be a strange beast – and no more so than when it is about an actual Strange Beast, albeit with a name “Audrey II”, a man eating plant from another planet.

STAGE WHISPERS MAGAZINE: MAY / JUNE 2016 EDITION OUT NOW!!!

In This Edition

Queen: Still Rocking You - We Will Rock You cast and creatives share Queen memories

Singin’ In The Rain - The Classic Hollywood musical dances onto Australian stages

M Is For Marvellous and Megan - Megan Hilty on Broadway, Smash and her Australian tour

10 Of The Best On Broadway - David Spicer’s musical highlights on the Great White Way

Kinky Boots Cast Announced

A cast of Australian and international performers has been announced to star in the Australian premiere season of multi award-winning musical Kinky Boots at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne from 12 October 2016.

Callum Francis and Toby Francis will portray principal characters Lola and Charlie – the fabulous drag performer and the young man he inspires to revamp the family shoe business.

The Trunchformation

Eight times a week James Millar transforms from a gentle giant into the pigtail twirling school principal from hell  – Agatha Trunchbull - the arch enemy of child genius Matilda.  The full make-up and costume preparation for the musical takes just under an hour. David Spicer was invited into his dressing room for the ‘Trunchformation’.

A Quiet Explosion of Talent

With Jonathan Larson’s Tick, Tick … BOOM! about to open its professional premiere in Melbourne, Coral Drouyn talked to Director Paul Watson and leading man Luigi Lucente.

In this 20th anniversary year of Jonathan Larson’s death, I have to confess that I was not a fan of Rent; that is, until I saw Paul Watson’s production of the show several years ago at Chapel off Chapel, and suddenly everything became crystal clear and I fell in love with both the show and Watson’s direction.

APRIL SHOWERS - MAY OPENING

Coral Drouyn and videographer Nathan King attend the launch of Singin’ In The Rain, with the award winning West End production set to open next month.

There’s a buzz of energy beyond the norm at the fabulous Ministry of Dance in North Melbourne. With classes in process in every studio (so great to see), we travel along the wide recreational hallway, cameramen galore, to one special studio…the rehearsal studio for Singin’ In The Rain. The ultimate dance show has come to town.

Love Has Power

Stage Whispers is sharing the final song performed at the public memorial to Jon English, as a lasting tribute to the 66 year old singer/actor/composer who died on March 10.

The entire cast – led by John Waters – joined together on the stage of the Capitol Theatre to sing Love has Power from the Jon English/David Mackay musical Paris.

There was barely a dry eye among the almost 2000 fans at the memorial concert, held on April 4.

Some fans had queued from before dawn to get the best seats.

TWINS – Double The Talent

Two great stars, Rhonda Burchmore and Trevor Ashley, talk to Coral Drouyn on the eve of their new show’s opening.

It’s a little disconcerting to interview two Divas at once, especially if you are a fan-girl of both. Lets face it, they are both Legends in EVERYBODY’s lunchtime. So why, given that they both have such huge followings in Music Theatre and Cabaret circles, choose to link their new production Twins, to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival?

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