Divas Come Together for One Night
In putting together a “One Night Only” production St George Theatre Company has managed to assemble a powerhouse of leading ladies for DIVAS LIVE on April 27 at the Civic Theatre, Hurstville Entertainment Centre.
The “dozen of divas” are some of Sydney Community Theatre’s most popular and recognised talents and between them all have performed across most of Sydney’s theatre companies.
Director / Diva Michelle Lansdown and Choreographer Craig Nhobbs explain how DIVAS LIVE came about.
“Over the past few years I have watched in awe as these beautiful women have tackled some of the most iconic roles in musical theatre,” Craig Nhobbs explained, so when I was lucky enough to get the chance to work with them all together I couldn't resist! We are lucky to have a plethora of amazingly talented divas in the Sydney Amateur musical theatre scene so the casting process was relatively easy for Michele, (Musical Director) Andy (Peterson) & I. Together we created a group of varying looks, ages, styles and vocal ranges to create the super team of divas which we are showcasing.”
“Rockdale Musical Society wanted to do a ‘one off’ event under the banner of their St George Theatre Company,” Michele Lansdown told Stage Whispers. “We were thrilled that all the divas embraced the idea and were keen to be involved . We also convinced the amazing Blake Erickson (pictured right) to be our MC. (Blake is well known on the professional theatre circuit, wowing audiences with his one man show An Evening with Orson Welles) and the icing on the cake was having Musical Theatre legend Margi de Ferranti agree to do a special guest appearance!”
Who are the Divas?
Chiz Watson, Louise Symes, Penny Stewart, Lauren Kenyon, Amy Nelson, Bridget Keating, Lolly Leffler, Jessica Mann, Michele Lansdown, Diane Wilson, Tanya Boyle and special guest Margi de Ferranti.
What made these leading ladies come on board?
Lauren Kenyon: I wanted to be part of a great musical experience. I have had the pleasure of seeing the other divas in all their glory, so working beside them, and this amazing creative team, is an experience not to be missed. Working with such a high calibre of musicians makes the enterprise so much more rewarding. I feel blessed to be included in such a brilliant group.
Louise Symes (pictured left): I love working with wonderful performers and to share a stage with the talent involved in this show is an absolute honour. I have admired every woman involved in this show at different times for their performances/interpretations/voice/acting skills. I also just love Michele Lansdown so I jumped at the chance to be involved!
Chiz Watson: I have worked with most of the Divas previously so it is a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with some of the Divas that I haven't worked with in a while!
Penny Stewart: The chance to perform after several years break having babies and to work with so many amazing performers!
Bridget Keating:How can you say no to this Production Team? How can you say no to being a part of this line up of women? Every single woman in this cast is someone I deeply respect as a performer. I consider myself extremely lucky to be involved.
And some insights into their song choices?
Lauren: I chose my songs in the same way that I choose which musicals to be part of. I choose songs & roles that will stretch me as a person, and as a performer. Playing roles of strong women with some elements of vulnerability, and the multi-dimensional characters have always appealed to me. I love the challenge of a role where you can get an audience to truly “feel” something… I work hard & feel honoured to be given the opportunity to do that.
Louise: I chose "Meadowlark" from The Baker's Wife because it is an exciting, emotive piece to sing. I loved playing the role of Genevieve with Shire Music Theatre in 2004. It was the first time I had worked with the amazing Craig Stewart as Director – I find him inspirational. The cast was great and it was a thought provoking, clever script and a beautiful score.
Jessica: I chose Glitter & Be Gay because it shows off the high soprano range...the notes that only dogs are supposed to hear!
Bridget: Kerrigan and Lowdermilk's "Avalanche" is a song I came across last year while I was looking for Country Musical Theatre songs for a course I was doing with the incredible Queenie van de Zandt. The song never ended up fitting the parametres of what I was looking for but I loved it all the same and popped it in my 'awesome song bank'. I love songs that give you room to show a character's vulnerability.
What have been some of the Divas' favourite musical theatre roles?
Chiz Watson (pictiured left): Mary in Merrily We Roll Along, Madame Thenardier in Les Mis and Amy in Company.
Penny Stewart: Millie Dillmount in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street, Liza Minelli in Boy From Oz, Harriet Piper in The Hatpin, Charlotte and Petra in A Little Night Music and Nanette in No, No, Nanette.
Tanya Boyle:Amber Murray in Hatpin, Roberta in Zanna Don't, The Witch in Into The Woods, Mayzie La Bird in Seussical and Amneris in Aida.
Louise Symes:Emma in Jekyll and Hyde (twice), Lily in Secret Garden, Cosette in Les Miserables, Christine Daee in Phantom, Yum Yumin The Mikadoand Carrie in Carousel. As well as doing some great gigs with television and some wonderful concerts and events. My most memorable gigs were sung with my darling husband, Andrew accompanied by the brilliant Mr Geoff Harvey – what a character! We always looked forward to having a drink after our gigs where Geoff would tell us stories of his illustrious career!
Michele: Eliza in My Fair Lady, Irene in Irene, Judy Garland in Boy from Oz, Velma von Tussle in Hairspray, Miss Hannigan in Annie and recently Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard.
Jessica: Aida, Belle in Beauty & the Beast, Maria in West Side Story, Mabel in Pirates, johanna in Sweeney Todd.
Bridget: I was given the opportunity to play Audrey in Shire Music Theatre's Little Shop of Horrors last year. It was by far the most rewarding role I ever had the pleasure of playing. It was extremely challenging as well especially with the iconic Ellen Greene establishing the role so firmly. Audrey is an incredibly resilient and brave woman. Singing "Suddenly Seymour" and "Somewhere That's Green" will always be two of my favourite moments in performance.
Diane: Mame, Funny Girl, Mama Rose in Gypsy and Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd.
How has it been working with a bunch of “Divas”?
Craig: The passion, talent and professionalism of these ladies is inspiring and I have loved every second of this beautiful journey!
Michele: This has been a truly wonderful experience. We have all been in those “leading lady” shoes and know what a rollercoaster that can be sometimes! We have nothing but respect for each others work and talents. To have this group of incredibly talented women sharing a stage together is just mind blowing. To see the camaraderie and support between everyone is wonderful.
Andy: To work with this bunch of women has been an absolute pleasure. Having all these incredible voices in one room belting out harmonies in full belt is any MDs dream. I have enjoyed every minute of working with all these amazing talents. "
Tanya: Fantastic. The sound we created at our very first singing rehearsal gave us all goosebumps. These ladies are pure professionals and I have enjoyed every moment
Lauren: The divas are fantastic! So talented, and we mesh so well, in personality and vocally. I have had an absolute blast at rehearsals (probably too much fun!), and the time spent with everyone has become one of the highlights of my week. Of course, there’s a lot of chatting and giggling when you put so many women in 1 room, but that was to be expected, right?
What can audiences expect to see on the night?
Michele: For a start, they are unlikely to see this line-up again! The songs the Divas have chosen are so diverse, from tear-jerkers to laugh-out-loud, to power ballads. Craig has choreographed the Divas in some fabulous dance numbers, and Andy has written some truly beautiful arrangements for the group including an amazing version of “Let me be your star” from SMASH.
DIVAS LIVE
Saturday 27th April 2013
2pm & 8pm
Civic Theatre, Hurstville Entertainment Centre.
Tickets
phone 0409 921149
email tickets@rockdalemusicalsociety.com
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