Summer’s feast of stage shows
ONE of Broadway’s most successful musicals, A Chorus Line, is making a return to the stage as one of the highlights of a busy summer of shows.
The latest revival of the musical, featuring 17 dancers auditioning for eight roles, is produced by Tim Lawson, the man who brought Topol to Australia for Fiddler on the Roof in 1998 and 2005.
In November Lawson flew to Israel to see a performance of A Chorus Line, which opens in Adelaide on New Year’s Eve and in Melbourne in February for a limited season.
“It was with a London cast and had a new set and costumes, which are coming to Australia,” Lawton said.
“Everyone in the audience was engrossed and enjoyed the show.
“I knew when I saw the Broadway revival recently that the time was right for A Chorus Line to return for a new generation. I’m hoping with Idol and X-Factor that people understand the audition process.”
This production is directed by Baayork Lee, who was involved in the 1975 show, and stars Josh Horner, who played in Billy Elliot on Broadway. After the Melbourne season, the show will head to Singapore for an Asian tour. A Sydney season is likely in 2013.
In addition to musicals, Lawson also produces concept shows such as The Illusionists, which will have its world premiere at the Sydney Opera House next month prior to an international tour.
“It features seven of the world’s best illusionists who are brought together in a new production. By mixing magic and illusion it will be an exciting show.”
Another popular musical, Annie, returns to the stage next month at the Lyric Theatre, Sydney, with an all-star cast led by Anthony Warlow, Nancye Hayes and Todd McKenney.
Sydney radio host Alan Jones will make his musical theatre debut in the role of president Roosevelt.
Based on the popular comic strip, Little Orphan Annie, the musical burst into popularity in 1977. Annie will come to Melbourne in May.
South African Jewish singer Johnny Clegg – nicknamed the “White Zulu” – is returning to Australia with his vibrant blend of Western pop and African Zulu rhythms.
Clegg, who last toured in 2009, will perform songs from his new album Human alongside some of his old favourites such as Impi, Asimbonanga and Scatterlings of Africa.
The Sydney Festival gets underway on Saturday, January 7 with theatre, dance, music and film. The three-week festival kicks off with a host of free events around the city, including a performance by ARIA award-winning klezmer group Monsieur Camembert at the Art Gallery of NSW at 7.30pm.
Former Chunky Move artistic director Gideon Obarzanek is staging Assembly, where he explores the role of the individual and the human throng. Eight Chunky Move dancers team up with more than 50 members of Victorian Opera in a grand production of movement and voice at the City Recital Hall from January 11-14.
Circus Oz stages the energetic show Steampowered under the Big Top at Tumbalong Park, Park, Darling Harbour, from January 4. Featuring high-jumping routines, group juggling, trademark irreverent humour and a seamless interplay of acrobats and musicians, the show expands on a steam punk theme.
The creators of the larger-than-life Walking With Dinosaurs will premiere How To Train Your Dragon, starring 24 enormous dragons and an international cast including Rarmian Newton (who starred in the Australian production of Billy Elliot the Musical) and 19-year-old Queenslander Sarah McCreanor.
Inspired by the animation film of the same name, How To Train Your Dragon draws on aerial acrobatics, dance, martial arts and circus skills to create a mythical world of vikings and dragons. The family arena show opens in March in Melbourne and then Sydney.
Urban Display Suite is a musical satire set around the property market as four real estate agents guide the audience through a “virtual” tour of a dream display home. It is being staged at Melbourne’s Lawler Studio.
The musical Every Single Saturday, written and composed by Joanna Weinberg, will be staged at Sydney’s Theatre Royal in March.
Set around four parents who watch their kids play football on weekends, it features 16 original songs, dancing and humour.
The stage play of Yes, Prime Minister, based on the popular TV series set around prime minister Jim Hacker and bureaucrat Sir Humphrey Appleby, is touring Australia from January.
Written by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn, the comedy is set in present-day Britain and stars Philip Quast as Appleby and Mark Owen-Taylor as Hacker.
Veteran actress Miriam Margolyes brings more than 20 of Charles Dickens’ favourite characters to life in her solo show Dickens’ Women, which is making a return tour of Australia to coincide with the 200th anniversary of Dickens’ birth.
DANNY GOCS
PHOTO of A Chorus Line.
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