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April 2008
Premier's Literary Awards recognise Musical Theatre
February 2008
Jon English in PARIS January 2008
EUROBEAT to the West End
November 2007
A busy year for Craig Christie Co-writer of EUROBEAT, Craig Christie, will be busy enough with the UK plans of his successful EUROBEAT, but Christie has also accepted a commission to write a new musical in Nashville, USA, based on the work of nurses. Research will commence in January 2008 ready for premiere staging in early 2009. Christie's popular 'Book Week' musicals which he writes for his company 'No Mates', recently finished a tour of Singapore, and was so successful that they have been booked for another tour in March 2008, with a potential additional tour in June.
OZMADE MUSICALS moves to Collins Street
Melbourne premiere for MARY BRYANT
Kookaburra renegs on SIDESHOW ALLEY
production
THE HATPIN world premiere A new Australian musical by James Millar and Peter Rutherford will open at the Seymour Centre (NSW) on February 27th 2008. A musical drama set in the Australian winter of 1892, THE HATPIN will feature Caroline O'Conner, Barry Crocker and Melle Stewart. Bookings: (02) 9351 7940. More info: www.thehatpin.com
Can't get enough of KEATING Following a sold-out extended season at Belvoir St Theatre, KEATING!returns to the Seymour Centre this November for a phenomenal fourth Sydney season before beginning a national tour in 2008. More information: www.belvoir.com.au
October 2007
METRO STREET reading
DUTCH COURAGE in New York
QUAMBATOOK to premiere in Penrith A new musical by John Williamson, QUAMBATOOK will have its world premiere at the Evan Theatre in Penrith in February 2008. Featuring John Williamson, Belinda Wollaston and Darren Coggan. More information: www.panthers.com.au
A new journey for THE JOURNEY GIRL
August 2007
EUROBEAT a knockout at the Edinburgh Fringe Fresh from the success of the recent national tour, Craig Christie and Andrew Patterson's EUROBEAT - ALMOST EUROVISION, has had its UK premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to resounding approval from the critics. To top it off, it has also taken the gong at the Fringe Festival Awards 2007 for Best Musical Production. Further UK and international productions are planned. More information visit: www.eurobeat.com.au
Two new musicals feature in Adelaide Cabaret Festival Eddie Perfect's SHANE WARNE: THE MUSICAL, and David W Young's THE BEAUTY SPOT will both feature in-concert at this years festival as part of the 'Nearly Read' segment. More information: www.adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au.
Kenneth Duffield talk to feature in Adelaide Cabaret Festival
Peter Wyllie Johnston
recently completed his PhD on the history of the Australian Musical, as
well as his book, The Definitive Guide To The Australian Musical 1900 -
2000. Peter will introduce his book and perform a tribute to legendary
Adelaide composer Kenneth Duffield, who is the subject of the From
Saints To The West End exhibition. More info:
www.adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au. May 2007
LOVE EQUALS world premiere The Magnormos Prompt Musicals program will premiere the new Craig Christie and Kristin Keam work LOVE EQUALS to launch the 2007 season. A chamber musical about four remarkable female mathematicians, the production features Wendy Stapleton, Sally Bourne, Amanda Levy and Kristin Keam.
March 2007
OzMade Musicals 2007 Submissions Now Open February 2007
SIDESHOW ALLEY tour cancelled
January 2007
Clarke lauded with an Australia Day Honour
November 2006
Pratt Prize awarded two ways for 2006
Actors sought for Dark Angels Dark Angels is the new comedy musical by Allen Wilde to be directed by Hugh Halliday. Starring Katy Underwood, rehearsals will commence 19th Feb for a season opening 29th March. Season is for 6 weeks, performing 4 nights a week. Auditions will be on Thursday 30th Nov and Friday 1st Dec from 6 pm and Sun 3 Dec from 12.30pm. To audition either ring Allen on 0406 958 339 or email resumes to Allen jumpsugarjump@yahoo.com
Sideshow Alley to premiere in Brisbane The inaugural winner of the Pratt Prize for Music Theatre will open its exclusive world-premiere Brisbane season in January 2007. Set in the outrageously masked 1950's when - behind the suburban-perfect dream life was anything but, Sideshow Alley takes you into a colourful and bizarre world that lived on the very edge of society. Sideshow Alley stars Silvie Paladino, Alex Rathgeber and Christopher Parker and will perform at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. More info: www.qpac.com.au
KEATING! Season extended Due to overwhelming demand, Company B has announced that award-winning musical KEATING! has been extended into January 2007. The current season is completely sold out. First performing at the 2005 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, it scooped the pool of awards and then recieved the Green Room Award for Best Original Score, and a Helpmann Award for Best Original Score. New characters and songs have been added for the Company B production, and a cast including writer Casey Bennetto, Mike McLeish, Enio Pozzebon and Terry Serio. More info: www.belvoir.com.au
October 2006
Join 'OzMade Musicals 2006' Positions are available to be a part of OzMade Musicals, an annual showcase that supports and promotes Australian Music Theatre. Please visit www.magnormos.com for more information.
Shortlist announced for the 2006 Pratt Prize for Music Theatre Six works have been shortlisted for the $80,000 Pratt Prize for Music Theatre, Australia's richest awards for new music theatre works. Over 80 entries were submitted across Australia. The finalists are: 'Artemisia' (Gary Young and Paul Keelan), 'THE BEAUTY SPOT' (David Young), 'Life's A Circus' (Anthony Costanzo), 'Once We Lived Here' (Matthew Frank and Dean Bryant), 'The Paradise' (Marty Fields), 'The Wild Blue' (Anthony Crowley).
May 2006
THE BEAUTY SPOT World premiere Following its involvement in OzMade Musials 2005, THE BEAUTY SPOT, by David W Young will have its world premiere as part of the Magnormos Music Theatre Readings Program from May 22nd - 24th. More information: www.magnormos.com
April 2006
Shouting out a Victorian premiere Williamstown Musical Theatre Company Inc is proud to present the Victorian Amateur Musical Premier of ” SHOUT – The Legend of the Wild One” as their first major production for 2006. The production will be performed at the Williamstown Mechanics Institute from Friday October 27 to Saturday November 11. Auditions will be held between May 27th and May 29th.
March 2006
Adelaide Cabaret Festival hosts Australian music theatre congintent The 2006 Adelaide Cabaret Festival will include two concert presentations of two contemporary Australian musicals 'After The Beep' by Craig Christie and Mark Jones, and Pratt-Prize winning 'Metro Street' by Matthew Robinson, PLUS a season of award-winning 'Keating' by Casey Bennetto. More info: www.adelaidecabaret.com
February 2006
OzMade Musicals Submissions Open Submissions are now being accepted for consideration in the 'On The Drawing Board' component of OzMade Musicals 2006. Four works will be selected for a fifteen minute 'showcase presentation' in Melbourne on August 24th, 2006. The works submitted must not have been publicly performed and can be at any stage of development (but at least 'rehearsal ready'). Submissions are administrated by Australian Musicals.com, and the presentation will be produced by Magnormos. An annual event since 2003, OzMade Musicals has already had significant outcomes for its contributing works. More information: www.magnormos.com
January 2005
Auditions for 'Eurobeat' The Glynn Nicholas Group is holding auditions for it's upcoming production of EUROBEAT (by Craig Christie and Andrew Patterson). EUROBEAT is a tribute to the Eurovision Song Contest and the producers are looking for extraordinary performers who can sing, dance, who have a sense of irony and who won't mind wearing lots of sequins. The ability to speak (bits of) a foreign language, or to speak with a European accent, would be an advantage, but not compulsory. Auditions will be held as follows: Melbourne: Monday 30 January. Call backs - Tuesday 31 January. Sydney: Wednesday 1 February. Call backs - Thursday 2 February. For more information visit: www.gnicholasgroup.com.au
December 2005
Amanda Harrison to star in 'BoyBand' Helpmann Award winning star Amanda Harrison is to play the role of Toni in next years revival of 'Boyband' in Sydney. 'Boyband', a comedy that explore the Boyband phenomenon through fictional band 4ORCE has music produced by ricochet working productions and Donkey Brown.
November 2005
Pratt Prize for 2006 The third Pratt Prize for Music Theatre will be offered in 2006. An initiative of Jeanne Pratt, the Pratt Prize offers a cash prize and workshop production to the value of $80,000, making it one of the richest prizes in Australian theatre. The Prize is open to any Australian citizen or resident, and the submitted work must be completed or near completion, and not have been publicly performed or be scheduled to be performed. Entries close 30th June 2006. More information: www.theproductioncompany.com
October 2005
OzMade Musicals 2005 a knock-out OzMade Musicals 2005 - 'On The Drawing Board', the third annual celebration of Australian music theatre by production-company Magnormos, went off like a bomb on Friday 21st of October at Theatreworks, St. Kilda. Hosted by Jan van de Stool (Queenie van de Zandt), the program contained four brand NEW musicals currently in development, and flashbacks from some of the great musicals that have been showcased in previous OzMade Musical's including 'Metro Street', 'All Het Up', 'Rebecca-the Musical', and 'Paris'. An audience of industry who's who gave the event a roaring ovation and kept the foyer buzzing with excited chatter and networking until very late at night.
Jump Into The Blue It's had two succesful incarnations so far and now The Wild Blue project will take St. Martins Youth Theatre by storm. Written by Wal Cherry Award winner Anthony Crowley, The Wild Blue tackles traditional musical theatre head-on. Edgy, surreal and poetic - it features an original score of nineteen songs and a line-up of emerging youthful talent. More info: www.stmartinsyouth.com.au
Get the lowdown on the Class of 77 Orientation for the brand new Australian musical 'Class of 77' is on Monday 17th of October, 7:30pm at Arncliffe Coronation Hall, Arncliffe (NSW). The orientation session will cover information about the World Premiere season opening in March 2006 at Rockdale Musical Society, and the audition information for the 8 leads and chorus required for the show. For more information on Class of 77 visit the Musicals' Catalogue entry or www.classof77.com.au
International injection to OzMade Musicals 2005 Following her smash-success in the Melbourne Fringe Festival, comic masterpiece Jan van de Stool will host OzMade Musicals 2005. Van de Stool, the creation of music theatre diva Queenie van de Zandt will guide the audience through a quick demonstration of her 'musical massaging' before hosting one of the most important events on the Australian music theatre calander. Featuring works from across Australia, OzMade Musicals will also play host to its first international inclusion, with a song from the succesful New Zealand work Rush! The Musical. Tickets and more information are available from www.magnormos.com
Extended music therapy One of the smash-hits of the Melbourne Fringe Festival 'I Get The Music In You' has been extended by popular demand! After being completely sold-out for the last four performances, an additional show has been added for Saturday October 8th at 5:30pm. Check out the Australian Musicals.com review
September 2005
Looking for men to 'Follow The Light' Male singer-actors are sought for a forthcoming production of 'Follow the Light' a new musical based loosely on the Christmas story, aimed at young adults, grown-ups and the young-at-heart. Produced by the Murdoch Performing Group (Perth), the show will feature a hip, contemporary look at the Christian Christmas story. Lead and supportive roles are still available for male singer-actors aged 18 and above. For more information contact Nick at nick_cmkit@lycos.com
Get the Music In You "I Get the Music in You" by Queenie van de Zandt and Tony Taylor will make its Melbourne premiere as part of the Melbourne International Fringe Festival, following its successful premiere in Sydney. The work was picked up by the Ensemble Theatre who held back their launch so they could include the show in their 2006 subscription season. For more information: www.melbournefringe.com.au
August 2005
OzMade Musicals 2005 - On The Drawing Board Magnormos has announced that OzMade Musicals 2005 will be 'On The Drawing Board', an evening of material from Australian music theatre 'in development', featuring highlights from works that are yet to be performed, and in various stages of completion. Further information will be available from the Magnormos website: www.magnormos.com
National Open Playwrights Competition 2005 $5,000 is up for grabs in a competition calling for new, unproduced, full-length plays. Established by Monash Student Theatre (supported by the Monash Student Association), the competition was inspired by a desire to acknowledge and encourage Australian writers, including those in the student community and to bring great new works to Monash University. For more information visit: http://msa.monash.edu.au/theatre/. Deadline October 31st, 2005.
Eurobeat Tour Confirmed *AUSTRALIAN MUSICALS.COM EXCLUSIVE* Word on the Australian Musicals.com gravepine is that the much anticipated national tour of Eurobeat- the Eurovision Musical (Craig Christie / Andrew Patterson) has been confirmed and will kick off in Melbourne in May 2006 at the Crown Casino Showroom. .
The Magnormos rehearsed reading of
ground-breaking Australian work A Bunch of Ratbags will be
released on CD in October through Bayview Records - making it the
premiere recording of the score. The Edward Kleban Award The Kleban award is awarded annually to both a librettist and a lyricist of musical theatre, in honour of Edward Kleban (the late lyricist of A Chorus Line). An enormous prize of US 100,000 to each recipient is administered by New Dramatists in the United States, but is open to writers of all nationalities. Submissions are due on 15 September. For more info: www.newdramatists.org
MODART05 MODART05 is a unique collaboration between The Song Company and the Australian Music Centre. Its purpose is to give young composers from around Australia the opportunity to develop a short vocal work, in close collaboration with the singers of the ensemble and their director, Roland Peelman. For more information: www.amcoz.com.au
July 2005
Schools throughout Australia get Stars in their Eyes A new original Australian musical running for over 630 performances nationally. The stuff of dreams? A tall story? No just the statistics for Craig Christie's new show Stars In Your Eyes which begins its national tour of Australia next week. Twelve casts will be performing this fifty minute piece of musical theatre in schools throughout Australia simultaneously to an audience of approximately 120,000 during it's five week season. Apart from giving employment to over 40 music theatre performers these productions serve as an introduction to musical theatre to future audiences throughout the country.
One of the
key events of this months Queensland Music Festival, the world premiere
of Charters Towers: The Musical created street closures as it unfurled
in front of one of the town's social and architectural icons, the Royal
Private Hotel. Written by Shenton Gregory and Janis Balodis about,
and for, the Charters Towers community, the cast of Charters Towers: the
musical numbered more than 200 people (give or take a few ute drivers,
goats, horses and helicopters - yes! helicopters!). In its hey-day
Charters Towers, 135km southwest of Townsville, was knows as 'The World'
because it was said that 'anything one might desire could be had in the
Towers, leaving no reason to travel elsewhere.' At the peak of the
gold-mining boom in 1890, there were more than 65 hotels registered on
the mining field and between 1872 and 1899 it was the only city that
operated a stock exchange outside a capital. With an eclectic score containing a mixture of swing, reggae, pop, gypsy jazz and a little country, Charters Towers: the musical featured headline Australien performers Annie Lee and Ian Stenway and performed a successful three night season.
Helpmann nods for Australian musicals The 2005 Helpmann awards includes a slew of nominations for Australian musicals Eureka and The Venetian Twins. Whilst Eureka got the nod for 'Best Musical' and 'Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role' for Amanda Muggletons performance, The Venetian Twins received three performance nominations: 'Best Male Actor in a Musical' (Mitchell Butel), 'Best Female Actor in a Musical' (Bridget Boyle), and 'Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role' (Sandro Colarelli), and two design awards 'Best Costume Design' and 'Best Scenic Design' both for Robert Kemp.
The Wild Blue seeking participants The next installment of Anthony Crowley's successful 'Wild Blue' project will take place at St. Martins Youth Theatre in November this year. Auditions for sixteen actors, singers, dancers, movers and puppeteers aged 16-25 will be held soon. For more information see http://www.stmartinsyouth.com.au
A 'Buzz' for young musicians The Australia Council for the Arts are seeking applications specifically from young musicians (aged 26 and under) for any project, such as songwriting, performing, recording or professional development activities for grants of up to $2,500. FOr more info: www.ozco.gov.au
June 2005
The industry is abuzz with talk about 'Metro Street', the second recipient of the prestigious 'Pratt Prize for Music Theatre', the most lucrative financial prize for Australian music theatre writers. After a successful workshop to invited industry members on Sunday June 12th in Melbourne, 'Metro Street' appears to have a very bright future indeed. Stay tuned to Australian Musicals.com for further updates.
Young Playwrights Award NSW residents are invited to apply for the Phillip Parsons Young Playwright's Award, which is made each year to a young playwright under the age of 35, whose work demonstrates an original and compelling voice. Part of the artist development activities of Company B (Belvoir St. Theatre), the Award money forms part of a $10,000 commissioning fee for the writer, with a view to developing a new work for a future B Sharp season. Applicants must submit a play produced in the past year as the basis for shortlisting. Applications close 25 July 2005. For more information check out www.belvoir.org.au.
Following in the footsteps of 'Joe Starts Again' at the inaugural festival in 2004, another Australian musical has been accepted into the premiere new musical festival in the Great White Way. 'All Het Up', by John Thorn, Fiona Thorn and Guy Rundle will tour to the Big Apple and feature the Australian cast. All three writers will be in attendance. Facilitated by Australian Musicals.com and Magnormos, the acceptance (to the best of our research) will make 'All Het Up' the fourth Australian-written musical to premiere in New York, and only the second to be presented in its original format and not as an American adaptation.
$5,000 up for grabs The Johnny Dennis Music Awards, administered by the Australian Guild of Screen Composers, consists of four prizes of $5,000 each for Best Song, Best Instrumental, and Travel Grant/Professional Development Award. For more information refer to www.agsc.org.au
'My Country' poet becomes subject of new musical A new musical based on the life of one of Australia's most famous poets Dorothea Mackellar will have its world premiere in Gunnedah, north-western New South Wales. The musical, written by former ABC radio presented Bill Gleeson, will be presented as part of the celebrations for Gunnedah's 150th anniversary next year, and will detail the poet's life and her love of the land. Mackellar, particularly known for her poem 'My Country' has an annual poetry competition held in her name which draws in entries from all over Australia.
Boy From Oz heads home via Japan 'The Boy From Oz' will open in Japan on June 10 2005, featuring a professional Japanese cast and spoken and sung in Japanese. The cast and production values of the Japanese version will be bigger than both the Australian and New York productions, and producer Ben Gannon reports that his team is also working on a London production. At the conclusion of this tour, 'The Boy From Oz' will return to Australia, where it will perform in arena format with Hugh Jackman reprising his Tony Award winning role of Peter Allen.
'Somewhere' at the Q Penrith's Q Theatre has commissioned a new musical to celebrate their new residence in the refurbished Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre. The musical 'Somewhere', set in present day Penrith, was written by Kate Mulvany (book) and Tim Minchin (Music and Lyrics). The performance, featuring both professional and community performers plays October 2005 in Penrith.
May 2005
Griffin Playwright Residency Griffin Theatre Company is calling for proposals for its second Playwrights Residency which will run August 2005 - July 2006. Five writers under the age of 30 will be selected by a panel to participate in a one year program of activities including workshops of plays-in-development, mentorships, roundtable discussions with special guests and forums. Submissions are due by 5pm, Monday, 27 June 2005. Contact literary@griffintheatre.com.au for more information.
Magnormos to produce a hidden Australian gem, and accepting Musical Director applications Peter Pinne and Don Battye's historic musical 'A Bunch Of Ratbags' will receive its first major production since the 1970's, through the auspices of the Magnormos Music Theatre Program. A tale of 1950's post-war Melbourne, based on the book by William Dick, 'A Bunch Of Ratbags' was the first Australian musical to place a rock-band in the pit - and since it premiered a year before 'Hair' - most likely the world. Expressions of interest for the position of Musical Director are available from the Magnormos website. For further details refer to: www.magnormos.com
Queensland to play the host for an Australian Music-Theatre Pyjama Party The new comedy musical by John-Michael Howson, Peter Pinne and Ashley Irwin: 'Pyjamas in Paradise' will have a specially staged rehearsed reading for an invited audience of arts and entertainment industry producers, artistic directors and creative representatives at the Metro Arts this May. Featuring the rock'n'pop hits from the era, 'Pyjamas in Paradise' is a 50's/60's teen story with a distinctly Queensland flavour.
Sydney looking very 'Rosie' in August New Australian musical "Rosie", inspired by the life of Sydney icon Rosie Shaw (1905-1971) will be presented in Sydney by Flairessence Productions, with a cast including Geraldine Turner, Angela Toohey, and Sharon Millerchip. Written by Peter Stannard (Lola Montez) and Frank Hatherley (The Blitz Show), 'Rosie' will open at the SBW Independent Theatre from August 6th.
2005 OzCo Deadline looming Grant applications deadlines for the Australia Council's Music and Theatre Boards are fast approaching, requiring delivery to Australia Council by June 1st. With grants including 'New Work', 'Skills and Arts Development' (Theatre Board) and 'New Work', 'Skills and Arts Development', and 'Presentation and Promotion' (Music Board) there are plenty of opportunities available for writers of Australian music-theatre.
Music Theatre Trivia a Huge Success As a fundraiser for the Australian music-theatre showcase 'OzMade Musicals' Magnormos recently staged a Music Theatre Trivia Night, which by all accounts was a roaring success. Due to the overwhelming demand for another one, Magnormos have announced the date of Wednesday August 10th for the next music-theatre battlefield. For further details refer to: www.magnormos.com
For All It's Worth in June The new Australian musical based on the life of theatrical legend J.C.Williamson will be titled 'For All It's Worth' will be presented in a workshop in June 2005. 'For All It's Worth' is written by Justin Fleming (Book & Lyrics), John Senczuk (Original Book) and directed by Gale Edwards.
A survey of the 2005 seasons of Australia's State Theatre Companies provides a disappointing outlook for the performance of Australian musicals. The only exceptions are Sydney Theatre Company, providing local audiences with a restaging of Nick Enright and Terence Clarke's classic: 'Summer Rain', and the State Theatre Company of South Australia, which will present 'Midnite - a new chamber opera for families' in association with Opera Australia's OzOpera and Windmill Performing Arts.
Theatreworks 2005 Artist Initiative Theatreworks now welcomes Expressions of Interest from artists wishing to participate in the Artist Support Initiative 2005 - a curated season of short works in turnaround during Melbourne Fringe Festival. The Initiative supports a program of short works (max 45 mins) across a variety of artforms and mediums offering financial assistance with venue hire, production management, marketing, publicity and other upfront costs. For more information visit: www.theatreworks.org.au
Musicals take over the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Now in its 19th year, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival is Australia's largest annual festival and one of the big three comedy festivals in the world. A flick through the 2005 program will show a noticeable resurgence of the musical form, with events including: 'Got Viking? A musical misadventure with horns', 'Trash - the musical', 'I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change', 'Keating!', and the curiously titled 'Orgasm - the musical' and 'Klamidia - the musical'. The festival runs until April 17th.
Knock Knocking in New Zealand, and What's Going On? in Singapore Frater Award winning Australian musical 'Knock Knock! Who's There?' (Craig Christie) has had its three week New Zealand tour season extended to seven weeks, whilst the next Book Week musical by Christie: 'Stars In Your Eyes' is expected to break attendance records in August/September by playing to over 100,000 kids in Book Week. In late May, Christie will tour to Singapore with a new mini musical called 'What's Going On?' based on the life of Albert Einstein.
Rockdale Musical Society shows Australian support Rockdale Musical Society will present another Australian musical in 2006 - the world premiere of 'Class of 77', written by David Hines. Performing at the Rockdale Town hall, 'Class of 77' is a bright new musical set at a class reunion. [The previous announcement that this follows a world-production of 'Paris' was in error. 'Paris' was actually produced by the Regals Musical Society. - ed.]
March 2005
2005 AWGIE Awards call for entries
OzMade Musicals 2005 Submissions now open! The life of J.C. Williamson is the subject matter for a new musical currently in development, with a creative team consisting of Craig Christie (Songwriter), Justin Fleming (Book & Lyrics), John Senczuk (Original Book) and Gale Edward (Direction). A two-week workshop performance is currently scheduled for July in Sydney.
Do you consider yourself a NYMF? The New York Music Theatre Festival (NYMF) is again looking for production-ready musicals to present in the Next Link Project for this years festival which runs 12 September to 2 October. Last years festival, which included Australian Musical 'Joe Starts Again' performed to over 23,000 people through 141 different events in 26 performance venues across New York City. Submissions close 11 March 2005. For more details see: www.nymf.org.
Artists unite in a Wave of Love An impressive line-up of performance talent has combined for a recording of original song 'Wave of Love' (Will Conyers) to celebrate the work of Red Cross Australia and provide fundraising assistance to the Asian Earthquake & Tsunami Appeal, for those affected by the events of December 26, 2004. For more information and to purchase a copy go to: www.middle8.com
"Knock Knock Who's There," the Australian musical by Craig Christie that achieved record performances for last years Book Week is now heading to New Zealand in its first international tour.
Formerly Playbox Theatre, Malthouse Theatre (based in Melbourne) is currently calling for proposals for works to be developed by the company. Dedicated to the exploration of contemporary Australian theatre, the company works works with individuals, groups and companies across Australia, and was originally to co-produce the premiere of 'Sideshow Alley' the inaugural Pratt Prize for Music Theatre winner. The next round of proposals close March 1st. See www.playbox.com.au for more details.
Channel 31 needs more music Melbourne's community television station C31 is launching new Station ID's and Stings, and are looking for musicians and artists to submit music compositions to accompany the video footage as part of a competition. Interested writers should contact Channel 31 directly at 03 9660 3131.
November 2004 Metro Street wins the 2004 Pratt Prize Melbourne based writer Matthew Robinson has taken out the second prestigious Pratt Prize for Music Theatre for his musical "Metro Street". Mr. Robinson will receive a $50,000 cash award and will also receive $30,000 towards a 2005 workshop production of his material by the Production Company. Recently showcased in the 2004 Magnormos "OzMade Musicals" and "Out Of The Blue" festival, "Metro Street" is a contemporary Australian drama that charts the intersecting lives of four ordinary citysiders angling to find their place in metropolitan Melbourne with only a street side busker to guide the way.
Satango tangoes into Sydney this November Griffin Theatre Company will present 'Satango' - a new Australian musical written by Stewart D'Arrietta and Justin Fleming starring Simon Burke and Sharon Millerchip. Capitilising on the current craze of Latin dancing, the musical features an original score based on the tango - the dance of power and vulnerability, of love and hate.
October 2004 Australian writer returns home Australian writer Jamie Jackson will be returning to home soil in December 2004 to perform in his original musical 'Love: A Multiple Choice Question." A NIDA graduate, Jackson received an Australia Council grant and a Mike Walsh Fellowship to travel to New York and undertake the prestigious Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program at NYU. After a successful season in the 2003 New York International Fringe Festival with 'Love: A Multiple Choice Question", Jackson and partner Sohee Youn will present their work for the first time in Australia, directed by its original New York director who will be in attendance also.
August 2004 Australian music theatre practitioners unite on shared vision An exciting group of people gathered in Melbourne to discuss the plans for a new advocacy body for Australian music theatre titled Australian Musicals Development. Run as a member-based organisation the plans are to create a better awareness and respect for the form with government and industry bodies.
Record Book Week attendance "Knock Knock Who's There," the new Australian musical written by Craig Christie and co-produced by No Mates Productions and Echelon Productions, will perform to 95,000 students as part of Book Week. With over 540 performances booked throughout Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane, 33 music theatre performers will be employed to make 11 different teams across a five week season.
All-star support for Joe Starts Again Both the audience and the stage were glittered with Australian music theatre stars for the Joe Starts Again New York Benefit. Hosted over two-nights, the event included a concert performance of Joe Starts Again and a set of 'supporting acts' including some of Australian music theatre's most well-known faces. The benefit was in aid of the imminent New York season of Joe Starts Again as part of the inaugural New York Music Theatre Festival.
Sideshow Alley Postponed The world premiere of "Sideshow Alley", the inaugural winner of the Pratt Prize for Music Theatre has been postponed. See FEATURES> for full story.
Australian Music Theatre Exhibition The heavily anticipated exhibition: "Making a Song and Dance - the quest for an Australian musical" in the George Adams gallery at the Victorian Arts Centre has now opened. Featuring over 300 musicals, the exhibition casts a sweeping spotlight across the history of domestic music theatre in Australia.
June 2004 Jackman Wins the Tony Hugh Jackman has received one of the highest accolades in musical theatre - a Tony Award© for BEST PERFORMER IN A MUSICAL. Jackman won the award for his performance as Australian entertainer Peter Allen in the American adaptation of Australian musical: "The Boy From Oz". Opening on Broadway in September 2003, "The Boy From Oz", sporting a new book, a new director and a new star, received mixed responses from its global critics even though the advance sales exceeded all expectations. The performance of 'Our Hugh' was consistently applauded by critics and audiences alike, and the show will now close in September 2004 following his departure. See our exclusive Photo Gallery of "The Boy From Oz" Opening Night.
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