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Post by sanderella59 on Aug 5, 2008 22:36:42 GMT 9.5
Here is the home page for the production company, Andrew Kay & Associates. There are details of a Brisbane season for next year, but no other details. However there is a phone number and e-mail address to contact them.
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Post by sanderella59 on Aug 5, 2008 23:02:04 GMT 9.5
And there's also lots of info about the show, the actors and some trailers to whet your appetite!
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Post by jayko on Aug 5, 2008 23:26:37 GMT 9.5
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Post by Marie-Cris on Aug 6, 2008 12:28:43 GMT 9.5
Damn that was quick!
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Post by klh44 on Aug 6, 2008 13:38:22 GMT 9.5
Thanks Jayko!
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Post by jayko on Aug 6, 2008 14:07:37 GMT 9.5
You're welcome! It took longer than I expected actually, but it eventually worked, after trying it on 3 different computers!
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Post by neh on Aug 18, 2008 20:52:24 GMT 9.5
THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, as presented by members of the Phantom cast at Star City:
Brilliant. Really, truly lovely work. Seeing as this was a cast relatively new to the work (it turned out they'd only had one week of rehearsals) i was somewhat worried about how they would approach it, if they would be at ease or whether little kinks would show. Being such a firm fan and knowing the dam thing inside out, i knew that i'd probably be all picky and very particular. However, they honestly and fanstically (?!) suprised me. Not one performer was off, and in fact they each brought their own little something to their role.
Kathleen was an adorable Clara; for those who know their Piazza casts, she was very much like the wonderful Katie Clarke, even employing a few similar gestures. Vocally, she carried the role very well, using her Candian accent to her advantage by accentuating the vowels needed etc. She played the cute bits of comedy well (the proposal in Say It Somehow was so giggle-worthy and gaw-inspiring!) and yet handled the inherent drama beautfiully too. My measure of a skilled Clara comes through the two little bits that take up the real myriad of emotion, being Tirade and Clara's Interlude, and she did both top notch.
Jackie was a very sophisticated Margaret, more like Patti Cohenour's portrayal than Vicki Clarks. Her two major moments, Dividing Day and Fable, were classic powerhouse experiences and oh boy when she soared on those high sustained notes... oh-ah! Her accent was very well maintained also. Brava! And the audience of course loved her. She cried at the standing ovation, gaw!
James i was most iffy about before the show started, seeing as (horrible as it may sound) his profile pic in the Phantom program didnt suggest Fabrizio to me in the slightest. But boy, was he a spunk onstage! Despite the fact that he's blonde and pale, his accent was so beautifully maintained and his Italian so fluid, i was willing to believe anything from his character! And his singing was lovely; huge applause after Il Muondo. And some very cute acting, which match wonderfully with Kathleen. They really sizzled in Say It Somehow, and his Love To Me made dear Cinta cry, and me swoon inwadly.
The supporting cast were very good indeed. John O'May was a very swuave Signor Nacarelli, and he too was crying at the end with the standing ovations (and deservedly so, this was his baby) Anna-lee Roberston was a great Franca especially, and her resemblence to Sarah Uriate-Berry (the B'way Franca) was uncanny, both in voice and appearance. The whole supporting cast added to the vocals with great power and passion, and they were superb at evoking the hustle and bustle of Italy when needed. Great job, guys!
I learnt from Sandy, via her connections, that there had been a huge issue with the costuming just days before the show, whereby the entire wardrobe selected had been accidently thrown out. However the "subsitute" costumes were nonetheless very appropriate and effective, and suitable for each role. The little knitted yellow vest that James wore was so gosh darn cute!
The staging was interesting. When i first saw the set, i had two conflicting ideas, both of which encapsulated varying expectations of what was in store; i noted charis, lots of chairs, so suddenly i had the Les Mis 10 Year concert in my head, where they just got up in costume and say their songs in order. But then i noted the statue in the corner and how it was placed, and the columns towards the back, and so i recognised aspects of the B'way set... so then my head hurt and i just sat down! It turned out that "concert" was too soft a word really for what they did because essentially, we go the musical - dialogue, actions et all. Certain aspects varied greatly - for example the blocking Hysteria was a big change, but that was more of an issue of space - but it all still worked and flowed very well.
The only mishap i noted the whole night was in fact quite a cute one: right after Lullaby, just before the scene that leads into Say It Somehow, Margaret is meant to help Clara take off her dress and just strip down to her nightgown, but try as they did Kathleen and Jackie couldn't get the thing to unzip, so they just left it on and undone at the back. However, James still got to have his shirt taken off by Kathleen, a fact which Cinta and were immensely happy got to stay in!!! hehe. No one would have probably noticed the dress mishap one bit coz the show isnt well known and the staging even less so - i'm just a nerd!
Ok, so after that very long chit-chat - i meant to say: PIAZZA = GREAT STUFF!!! Thanks so much to Sandy and Cinta for sharing this magical night with me!
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Post by poppy on Aug 18, 2008 21:19:03 GMT 9.5
AWesome review Neh,it sounds amazing. I hope it comes to Melb i would love to see it.
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Post by sanderella59 on Aug 18, 2008 22:24:27 GMT 9.5
Well done, Neh! A fabulous review! I knew if I dragged my heels long enough flying home you'd do a much better job than me of reviewing the show. I second and third everything that Neh said. It was a slightly different experience for me, because although I was familiar with the story from having seen the movie as a young'un, I was totally unfamiliar with the music. So I saw the whole thing with no preconceived ideas of interpretations, staging or characterisations, and I loved it!
The cast was amazing. Jackie Rees is a star! It was glorious to hear her voice without the constraints of Mme Giry. Kathleen Moore and James Pratt were also stunning. James especially was a surprise, because I had never heard him sing before. He has a beautiful voice and his fit with Kathleen was perfect. The rest of the cast ( John O'May, Derek Taylor, DJ Foster, Deborah Caddy, Ben Kazlauskas, Anna-Lee Robertson and Sophie Viskich) were also excellent, and it was such a treat to see them perform without wigs and makeup and hear their voices for the first time.
Everyone else from the Phantom cast that I could work out was in the audience (yes children, and I do mean EVERYONE!!! - but I had a better seat than him!) and the whole auditorium gave a standing ovation at the end. It was glorious watching the facial expressions of James, Kathleen, Jackie and John. They were all in tears, especially Jackie and John. And Jackie grabbed John's hand and mouthed "Thank you" to him. It was an absolute triumph. And a real privilege to be in the audience and be part of the Australian premiere of this fabulous work.
Oh, and by the way, I was in the front row. And it's true what Neh said, although the cast had been practicing the work for a while, they had only had full rehearsals with staging and orchestra for a week. Simply amazing.
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Post by son on Aug 19, 2008 9:43:51 GMT 9.5
reading sandys' and nehs' reviews really made me wish i had changed my flight and gone home on monday.  Great reviews guys!! i hope they put on a tour for this, i would definately go. |
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Post by neh on Aug 19, 2008 11:11:20 GMT 9.5
As would i - i would go again, several times; especially for that very reasonable price!
Ugh, Ant and Julie were SO in choc-coated almond pegging distance from me; during their little chit-chats with pals during intermission i could have easily flung a few confectionary treats at their heads.... why, why?! And sheesh, it's easy to spot Simon; that man is TALL! And Cinta made sure we were magically standing near Alex whenever we were in the foyer.... she's very much crush-taken, hehe.
I was so so jazzed at the reaction and response the audience gave to Piazza; may this be a sign of much more to come. As John requested in the program, i'm gonna go round DEMANDING a full scale production; just try and stop me! And please God, let Julie have been sitting there thinking "tempting....."
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Post by son on Aug 19, 2008 11:26:24 GMT 9.5
Gawd, curse my flight home......grr new i should've changed it....
Did cinta talk to Alex? He's so nice, he would've talked to her if she did.
Simon is TALL!But very very nice, in fact everyone is nice.
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Post by neh on Aug 19, 2008 11:44:28 GMT 9.5
Yes, Cinta and i did talk to Alex for a little bit - i told him he was a great Anthony in Sweeney and such. We had a longer chat with Roy though, who i guess wouldnt have been as tired as those who had just been performing.
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Post by neh on Sept 21, 2008 20:15:34 GMT 9.5
Just had tp share this pic of Kathleen and Jackie with everyone, coz it's just too gosh-darn adorable!  Oh, and i saw a Uni production of 12 Night last week; props to them for trying to give Malvolio a fair go. Even if having him die in a fire and then ending the show with everyone mourning at his funeral was a *tad* heavy-handed.... hehe |
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Post by Injeanious on Sept 23, 2008 6:17:24 GMT 9.5
I went to a wonderful show last night. Erin won two tickets to Shane Cortese and The Class of 58 Jukebox tour. If you love rock n' roll this is the show for you. Two hours of non-stop singing and dancing. You probably will not have heard of Shane Cortese - he is a NZ actor who had starring roles in Shortland Street, Outrageous Fortune, Burying Brian and was on Dancing With The Stars. He is a fantastic singer and sang many old songs by Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, Richie Vallens, Cliff Richard etc, and during the second half of the show they did a 20 minute tribute to Elvis. Shane did not dress as Elvis but if you closed your eyes you would have sworn it was Elvis singing on stage. Just wonderful, and if any of you are in NZ and get a chance to see this show, I can thoroughly recommend it. Have just seen that they are going to be in Surfers Paradise at Twin Towers on 14 November. This is the website www.classof58.co.nz |
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Post by neh on Dec 7, 2008 21:48:47 GMT 9.5
LITTLE WOMEN at the Seymour Centre, Sydney Uni. Produced by the Kookabura National Musical Theatre Company.
Just lovely. I cried - lots. Although i was a bit saddened that time constraints limited some character development and necessitated the ommitance of certain storylines, i was still very moved and very drawn to the plights of these girls, as i have always been in any version of this tale. Jazz said it right when she stated at close that there wasnt a weak link in the cast; the women were all fantastic, they all sang beautifully and with strenght and nuance and they each embraced their character completely. The 11 o'clock number of the show, "Astonishing", didnt dissapoint in the kaboom factor and the tearjerker, "Somethings are Meant to Be" just broke me. Tears were streaming for a good 20 minutes! Everyone had wonderful chemistry, even the three men, who didnt have that much to do, as this is a GIRL POWER narrative, but ti was the moments when the 4 March sisters were together and having fun or sharing intimate moments that of course was the heart of the show and the key to it's success.
I've always liked the music in this production and it sounded fantastic live - the orchestra was small but very effective; they were also positioned above the stage, with a screen in front of them and light backlighting behind. It wasnt at all distracting though - t'was pretty cool.
The staging was efficient and effective; they were on a small turntable, so that simple shifting/relocating of props could evoke different settings. Costuming and choreography was adorable and attractive at the same time as being contextually correct.
Met most of the cast members afterwads, just before they all ducked to a pub coz they needed a drink (was a HOT night, ick!) Made sure to tell David Harris, who played John Brooke, that i had loved him as Chris in Miss Saigon last year and that we talked about how we actually live in the same awesome city! Hehe.... he's a handsome fella....
So yes, good good stuff; am glad i saw it just before it finished too, because EVERY shop item was half-price, so i grabbed a full gift bag of goodies! Huzzah!
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Post by killerbananas on Dec 8, 2008 10:10:38 GMT 9.5
^ Glad you enjoyed it! I'd love to see it, as my only exposure to it has been through Cal, and a team of 8 9 year old can well and truly kill a musical  I went to Rocky Horror yesterday, in a bus with about 10 people (myself included) dressed up. Fantastic show, really loud and big on audience participation- you can sing and dance in your seat and the cast just eat it up. I was in the middle of the second row of the dress circle, surrounded by all the dressed up people and did we get some looks from the cast! The lighting was rigged to give it a bit of a rock concert feel, with both the stage and the audience lit, and the set design was genius- simple yet really effective and easy to transform between the multiples locations needed. We managed to get two understudies- Frank Hansen as Frank N Furter, and John O'Hara as Riff Raff. One of the women I was with almost cried seeing an understudy on as Frank, she's in love with iOTA, the main Frank. Hansen was AMAZING. There are few men in the world who can pull off the Frank ensemble, and he is definitely one. Simon Farrow as Rocky had all the ladies melting in their seats- that's one pair of speedos the stage can appreciate Plus he has a voice to match his very sculptured frame. Brad was so small in build he was almost laughable, but it really worked as the nerdy role, Janet was so tiny *jealous* but had a huge voice- a little too huge at points, with a bit of an occasional screetch. Still very lovely nonetheless. Riff Raff- his voice was awesome! Very similar to Richard O'Brien's, he was just creepy yet comical enough to make Riff appealing to the audience, often tough to do. I was hanging out to get Sharon Millerchip as Columbia, because she was the original Meg Giry in Phantom, but we had Lisa Adam, who was an absolute cutie- sticking her tongue out at me during the time warp because I was singing along and dancing in my seat (the hair, make-up and outfit made me stand out a bit too!). Anne Wood was Magenta/Usherette, and she has a fantastic vocal range and can change it from sweet harmonies to straight up rock'n'roll! Narrater/Eddie/Dr Scott were pretty good also, honestly I was so taken with the principle Transilvanians and Phantoms that they didn't get much of my attention *blush* The chorus of the show, the Phantoms- I want to be one! They come out into the audience before the show, very zombie like, and interact. I was talking to two who plowed into my row, they love doing the show and while watching it I saw why! Fast, energetic dance routines and they're pretty much always on stage! Plus amazing costumes and make-up *dies* Bear in mind this isn't everyone's cup of tea, a couple who called me a freak left at interval, but if you passed on it thinking it's "not a real musical", get off your ass and buy a ticket, because it rocks! Oh, and they've already got ads up for Av Q. I got very excited |
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Post by Marie-Cris on Dec 8, 2008 10:17:55 GMT 9.5
Bear in mind this isn't everyone's cup of tea, a couple who called me a freak left at interval, but if you passed on it thinking it's "not a real musical", get off your ass and buy a ticket, because it rocks! Would if I could! All these show reviews make me wish I could go see them too. That couple are a pair of idiots; if that had been me I probably would have thanked them. Very loudly. Hopefully followed by some smarmy remark like "At least I'm not you!", if I had been able to think about it. You would think people would do a little research on a show before going to see it, wouldn't you? |
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Post by killerbananas on Dec 8, 2008 10:23:24 GMT 9.5
I was at the bar (I was waiting to get another Time Warp), and this woman and her husband walked past- she looked at me and said "There's certainly some freaks here" so I turned around and said "Why thank you, I put alot of effort into being a freak, good to see its appreciated" the bargirl, who I'd been talking to all afternoon, said "Did she miss the entire first act? And I've said it before, but you look awesome." I had put stacks of effort into my outfit, good to see people noticed Mar, you should ask for Rocky for Christmas- I'd come see it with you! |
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Post by Marie-Cris on Dec 8, 2008 10:27:03 GMT 9.5
How many times do I have to say this? I'm not going anywhere until LADS, with the exception of Orpheus. Father'd kill me if I suggested travelling interstate again. |
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Post by killerbananas on Dec 8, 2008 11:15:51 GMT 9.5
Well I just checked my tour t-shirt and you're in luck- major luck. It's heading to Brisbane....then Adelaide.
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Post by Marie-Cris on Dec 8, 2008 12:01:25 GMT 9.5
I'll have to discuss it with my bank account ((which should be all but dead after I set aside Christmas gifts, charity donations, birthday preasents, LADS tickets, tickets for Phantom for the rest of the family, bus tickets to and from the city from February until May, and the cost of my TAFE course - should I be accepted - and that alone is $1999)).
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Post by Injeanious on Dec 8, 2008 13:23:03 GMT 9.5
I just loved Rocky Horror when it was in Wellington some years ago, and as I have said somewhere on here previously, the narrator was Craig Parker, and the sight of him in fishnet stockings, stilletos and a gstring was divine!!!!
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Post by windbelle on Dec 8, 2008 16:37:09 GMT 9.5
I'm currently in love with Billy Elliot The Musical. Having seen it twice on broadway and still wanting for more. Don't have time to write a proper review, but I'd say, it's the best new show on broadway that I'd recommend to everyone. I can understand why it swept Helpmann's last year in Australia. I would bet on it getting at least the best musical and best choreography on Tony awards.
I'm not a fan to Elton John's music, but I think it works fine on stage this time. After seeing the show the music has grown on me. The book, a little bit corny at a few points, but overall pretty good, and the story and the message it conveys would work for a large range of audience. The staging and the choreography are absolutely the best part of the show itself, especially the choreography. I dare say it's the best I've seen or known in the past decade. And the broadway cast is brilliant, perfect. The three boys are just too talented. They were chosen mainly for their exceptional dancing skills but now they can all act and sing not badly. They each have a different personality that brings the show different flavors. Great show and great cast! I'm hoping to see it again next year.
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Post by killerbananas on Apr 6, 2009 20:44:02 GMT 9.5
Wicked, wicked wicked wicked wicked. Go see it.
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Post by scuffa on Aug 12, 2009 13:06:49 GMT 9.5
Hi everyone, long time no see. Thats what happens when our man has some time off. Just like to let you know I went and saw Jersey Boys last night at the Princess. (It feels strange going in there are not seeing all the black and gold staging for Phantom). Don't know how many of you young ones are familiar with the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons but there are some great songs that are part of the show. All the leads are strong singers and actors and the harmonies which is what made the group famous are fantastic. If you get a chance to see it, it is a great night out.  |
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Post by Injeanious on Aug 13, 2009 9:58:00 GMT 9.5
Scuffa, I saw it a couple of days after the official opening, and I was just blown away. I adored it so much that I am going back again at the end of October. I have also bought off Ebay the dvd that was apparently given away with the Sun Herald and have played it several times already. Of course, it shows the original Broadway cast, but is still absolutely wonderful. John Lloyd Young (the original cast ) is a fantastic singer. Bobby Fox is doing a great job of playing Frankie Valli and the other three cast members are great too (especially Stephen who plays Bob Gaudio). Can't wait for October - would go again tomorrow if I could - perhaps it will turn into another Phantom of the Opera for me?  ? Although I somehow can't imagine seeing it 40 times!! |
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? Although I somehow can't imagine seeing it 40 times!!
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