Blake Erickson in Hold Me Closer, Logies Dancer
Neil Gooding Productions and Hayes Theatre Co presents, Hold Me Closer, Logies Dancer starring Blake Erickson, as the second season of its Cabaret in Residence at the Hayes Theatre Co for a limited season of three Sundays from March 16 – March 30.
Hold Me Closer, Logies Dancertells the story of a young boy’s journey from delusional weirdo to eccentric man-child as he pursues his life-long ambition of becoming a backup dancer at the TV Week Logie Awards.
It is 1994, blessed with a unique mix of stupidity and confidence, 8 year-old Blake Ericksonsits eating a block of cheese and watching the Logies on his living room floor.Opening the show with a spectacular ‘robot’ dance number, the famed Logies Dancers gyrate and high-kick their way into his imagination, sparking a paradigm shift andchanging the course of his life forever.
Hold Me Closer, Logies Dancer is an exploration of how the dreams of our childhood endure and shape the grown-ups we one day hope to become. Featuring music from John Bucchino (It’s Only Life), Stephen Sondheim (Merrily We Roll Along), Cole Porter (Anything Goes), and Hunter Bell & Jeff Bowen ([title of show], Now. Here. This.) and many more.
“To an eight year old boy, the 1994 Logie awards were a revelation. Bright lights, terrible costumes, the cast of 'Heartbreak High' doing a robot dance to herald the arrival of Ray Martin. I cannot overstate the impact this had on me. I'd always shied away from cabaret, I wanted to wait until I had something to say. With this show I have an opportunity to reflect on my life as a 90's child blessed with a perfect mix of confidence and stupidity who set out to fulfil his dream of becoming a backup dancer at the Logie awards. The show features an eclectic mix of songs that have meant a great deal to me, from composers such as Stephen Sondheim, Cole Porter, Lo-Tel, and Glen Frey,” said Blake Erickson.
Blake Erickson won Best Actor at the Sydney Fringe Festival for his performance in the title role of the one-man show Pearls Before Swine: An Evening With Orson Welles, which toured nationally. Blake was a finalist at the Sydney Cabaret Showcase and has worked extensively in concert and in musical theatre, most recently appearing in the new Australian/US musical, Atomic. Blake is probably best known for his long-running collaboration with Squabbalogic Independent MusicTheatre([title of show], A New Brain, Forbidden Broadway),
Hayes Theatre Co is a dedicated music theatre and cabaret venue in Potts Point which was formerly the home of the Darlinghurst Theatre Company. Named for Australian musical theatre legend, Nancye Hayes OAM, Hayes Theatre Co honours and builds on the vast history of Australian Musical Theatre and its practitioners. This not-for-profit venue is managed by Independent Music Theatre, a collaborative partnership focusing on providing a permanent home for small-scale musical theatre and cabaret. By providing venue space to newly mounted productions, Hayes Theatre Co, will be a presenting partner together with independent producers and artists. HayesTheatre Co is made possible through the City of Sydney's Accommodation Grant Program.
Produced and Directed by Neil Gooding
Musical Director Andy Peterson
Hayes Theatre Co, 19 Greenknowe Ave Potts Point
Dates: Every Sunday from March 16 – March 30
Times: Every Sunday at 7:30pm
Tickets: All tickets $30*
Bookings: www.hayestheatre.com.auor phone 02 8065 7337
*including booking fees