The Wizard of Oz: Big Pro-Am Show for Parramatta

Following on from successful productions of Oliver! and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Packemin Productions will be presenting The Wizard of Oz in February 2013 at the Riverside Theatre, Parramatta (NSW). The pro-am production, stars Jimmy Rees (Jimmy Giggle on ABC’s Giggle & Hoot) as The Scarecrow, Laura Murphy (Sparkles The Fairy on Channel 9's Magical Tales) as Dorothy, Helpmann Award winning musical theatre performer Luke Joslin (Avenue Q, Annie, Dr Zhivago) as The Tinman, and multi-Mo Award winner Adam Scicluna as The Lion. The Wizard of Oz also features 150 local school students as The Munchkins, and a community cast of 60 adult performers.

Luke Joslin, a Helpmann and Green Room award winner for his role as Trekkie Monster in Avenue Q, also toured with the Australian productions of Dr Zhivago and Annie.

"The Wizard of Oz is one of those musicals that everyone loves, so it's a real honour to be playing The Tin Man. Although touring with shows like Annie and Dr Zhivago is amazing, I'm really excited to be in a production with so many people I know from my early days in musical theatre," says Joslin, who started his career in high school musicals and local theatre companies before completing a year of full-time study at the Actors College of Theatre and Television. Luke’s first big break came with a role in the Australian production of Dirty Dancing in 2003 which also toured New Zealand.

Although he has worked alongside big names like Todd McKenney, Joslin credits a lot of his success to the experiences and people he met early in his career.

“I’ve been blessed meeting the people I’ve met, as far back as my high school days, because you never stop learning and every show I do and every person I meet teaches me something new.”

Having worked in full-scale professional theatre, what are the big differences working with a largely community theatre cast?

“To be honest with this particular show there is little difference. Wizard of Oz has a big budget and is being staged in a pro venue with pro actors. Sure, there is a community ensemble cast but the talent, work ethic and attitude of this cast is up there with the best I've seen, which suggests to me that on the whole there's a pro feel all the time.

“Sharing the stage with fellow professionals Adam Scicluna, Laura Murphy and James Rees has been a highlight because they aren't just colleagues, they are good friends of mine, so I'm incredibly lucky because you don't get this all the time.

“I've been around for a little while now and worked with some great talent, however, I will say that this Lion, Scarecrow and Dorothy is some of the best casting I've ever seen. This is exciting to me because this doesn't always happen professionally, but to get it so right here is a welcome relief and makes one just wanna get out there on the boards.”

Laura Murphy will be swapping her fairy wings for ruby slippers as she takes on the role of Dorothy, rekindling her early love of singing and dancing on stage.

With a family tradition in theatre, Laura started her career at an early age joining her dad, Stephen “Spud” Murphy, on stage during his popular club and theatre restaurant shows.

“I was this tiny 4 year old girl singing Aretha Franklin songs to crowds of people and it felt like the most natural thing in the world!”

Laura became a session singer as a youngster and performed in musicals for her high school and with local theatre companies before landing the role of Sparkles the Fairy.

“I started doing musicals with Sydney Youth Musical Theatre Company when I was 14 and got hooked on the entire experience.

“Not only was it a great way to meet like-minded people, but it gave me the opportunity to play a variety of different roles. Some of my favourites were Cat in the Hat in Seussical, Little Sally in Urinetown and Witch in Into the Woods.”

Now the stage has once again called for the 24 year old.

"Every girl dreams of playing the role of Dorothy, so I feel very lucky to have this opportunity. I love being Sparkles on TV, but there's something special about live theatre that I've really missed. The kids are so talented and I can't wait to share the stage with all those little munchkins."

How is returning to working on the stage after TV?

“There is nothing like live theatre!

“My favourite part about playing Sparkles the Fairy in Magical Tales on Channel Nine, is when we get to go out and meet the kids and perform for them live.

“To be able to see the response and have their smiles and laughter to feed off while performing is the most fulfilling experience, as well as the excitement that anything can happen when you're performing in front of an audience! Every show is basically a NEW show.

“I can't wait to get back on the stage!”

After earlier background in community theatre, how is the experience of coming back as one of the 'pros' in a pro-am company.

“It feels the same really. I feel like I've got some experience behind me now but ultimately it's still me, Laura Murphy, doing a show. Being nervous, excited, learning new things, making friendships, reuniting friendships, strengthening friendships and generally having a ball!”

From the other side of the pro-am hyphen comes 18-year-old ensemble member Chloe Rosenberg, though as she reveals, she already brings a wealth of experience with her.

Having recently completed her HSC graduating from The McDonald College, Chloe is now studying Commercial Dance and Musical Theatre at ED5 and aiming for a future career within the industry.

Have there been valuable lessons working in a pro-am production, as Chloe strives for a professional career?

“In 2007, I was extremely fortunate to be cast in Billy Elliot the Musical and that ignited my passion for musical theatre. Since then I have worked consistently, gaining as much experience as I can with the goal of performing in a large touring production sometime in the near future.

Being part of a Packemin Productions show gives me the opportunity to work alongside successful professional performers, such as Jimmy Rees, Laura Murphy, Luke Joslin and Adam Scicluna, which inspires me to work harder, draw from others experiences and constantly strive to improve myself as a performer.

“We are all very excited to be moving into the Parramatta Riverside Theatre as this is where the performers join forces with the behind the scenes team to bring The Wizard of Oz to life, rehearsing on stage with incredible sets, wearing beautiful costumes and my favourite; the magic of the live orchestra.

“One valuable lesson I take with me is to recognise all of those involved in a huge production like The Wizard of Oz. Audiences see the talented cast perform but rarely see the amazing behind the scenes team whose expertise we rely on, who support the cast and are the backbone of a production of this size.”

The Wizard of Oz is directed by Neil Gooding, with musical direction by Peter Hayward and choreography by Camilla Jakimowicz.

The Riverside Theatre, Parramatta

8-23 February 2013.

Bookings: www.riversideparramatta.com.au / (02) 8839 3399.

More info: www.packemin.com.au

Win Tickets

We have a pair of tickets to give away to the performance on Saturday February 9, 2013 at 7.30pm.

To enter the draw, tell us what Packemin's second production for 2013 will be. You'll find the answer in the NSW section of our Community Theatre Seasons 2013 feature. Enter via our Contact form with your answer in the subject field. Entries close at 12 noon on Wednesday February 6, and the winner will be drawn shortly afterwards.

We have a winner - Congratulations to Elizabeth Johnson.

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Community Theatre Seasons 2013

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