Piterman set to soar
ACTOR Josh Piterman is excited about his latest role in the lavish new musical, An Officer and a Gentleman, which has its world premiere in Sydney this week.
Piterman, who toured Australia in 2010-11 playing the lead role of Tony in the musical West Side Story, plays the role of sultry Ramon Guiterrez.
“He’s a hot-blooded Latino who loves his sexual identity,” says Piterman. “He’s an outrageous character who’s full of life.”
The Melbourne-based Jewish performer has been living in Sydney for the past few months rehearsing the role in the musical, which is based on the hit 1982 romantic film of the sane name starring Richard Gere and Deborah Winger.
Under the direction of Simon Phillips it has been adapted for the stage by original screenwriter Douglas Day Stewart and Jewish American producer Sharleen Cooper Cohen.
It follows the story of working class heroes Zack Mayo and Paula Pokrifki as they overcome their personal obstacles to achieve their dreams. It features the Academy Award-winning song Up Where We Belong, as well as new rock numbers composed for the stage.
Ben Mingay, whose most recent role was in the London production of Jersey Boys, stars as Mayo while Pokrifki is played by Amanda Harrison, who has appeared in a number of musicals, including Wicked and We Will Rock You.
Other cast members include Alex Rathgeber, Bartholomew John, Bert LaBonte and Kate Kendall.
In An Officer and a Gentleman, Piterman leads the chorus to open the second act with a show-stopping dance number titled Halfway.
An Officer and a Gentleman opens at the Lyric Theatre, Sydney on May 19. Bookings: www.anofficerandagentleman.com.au.
REPORT: Danny Gocs
PHOTO: A scene from the new musical, An Officer and a Gentleman.
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