Broadway With A Twist.

Coral Drouyn spills the beans on a night of generous gender-bending bent on Broadway.

You might hear murmurings in the Arts Centre on Monday 4^th August…. “Oh look…it’s her from “All Saints” and “Winners, Losers”. The “her” in question would, of course be Virginia Gay – and although the public at large know her from her television work, theatregoers know her from her cabaret show Dirty Little Songs and her keen support of the Musical Theatre scene (whenever I turn up to a musical opening, big or small, she is there to lend support). She is an accomplished singer in her own right, and one of the many super super talented WAAPA graduates who have staked their claim to our theatre stages in the past ten years.

Virginia is just one of the stars donating their time to Twisted Broadway, a fabulous concert in support of Oz Showbiz Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, their chosen charity. She’ll host the one-off concert at the Arts Centre Playhouse, and will introduce a host of Musical Theatre stars all donating their talents. You could be excused for thinking you’d struck gold to see so many stars on the same stage. Esther Hannaford has escaped King Kong’s clutches at last; the versatile Bert LaBonte, fresh from his success as Marvin Gaye, brings his powerful voice; Amanda Harrison (our original Elphaba) is joined by Wicked co-star John O’Hara; and Patrice Tipoki – who has also defied Gravity is in a more joyful frame of mind than her current role of Fantine in Les Mis allows. The full cast is a “Who’s  Who?” of musical theatre; and all of the shows currently in town will be represented.

So why "Twisted” Broadway? Well, this delicious concept takes some of the most iconic Broadway songs and gives them to the opposite gender. So the men sing the great female songs – and vice versa (I’d pay double to see Bert LaBonte or Josh Piterman sing ‘Popular’). It’s a fun night and one that you won’t see repeated anywhere else; and it’s not just a succession of solo singers; some of our finest choreographers are getting into the act. And the proceeds will support those who may not be as fortunate as most of us.

Producer Kate McDonald warns us that we shouldn’t for one moment be complacent about HIV and its effect on the community. “On average, 20 people are diagnosed with HIV every week in Australia and over 50 per cent of those living with HIV/AIDS live under the poverty line,” she tells us. 

That’s a frightening figure, and so far – Twisted Broadway celebrates its 5 birthday on Monday – the show has been instrumental in raising over $60,000. Unique to other charities, Oz Showbiz Cares/Equity Fights AIDS focuses its efforts on grass-roots projects led by the Victorian AIDS Council to improve the quality of life of those living with HIV/AIDS. Kate has a clear vision of how everyone can help. “Twisted Broadway is a small but forever shining beacon of support for those affected by this disease.”

So if you’re not doing anything on Monday night (or even if you are, put it off till Tuesday) treat yourself to a night with the stars, and help others at the same time.

Kate Macdonald and TheBengeGroup present

Twisted Broadway

Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse

8pm, Monday 4 August, 2014

Tickets from $35

For tickets and more information www.artscentremelbourne.com.au or phone 1300 182 183.

CAST AND CREW

Director - Chris Parker. Musical Director - Trevor Jones. Choreography - Yvette Lee, Euan Doidge, Stephen Agisilaou, Michael Ralph and Ellen Simpson.

Host - Virginia Gay

Performers - Justin Anderson, Martin Croft. Euan Doidge, Sam Hagan, Tom Handley, Esther Hannaford, Amanda Harrison, Matt Holly,Bert LaBonte,  Matt Macfarlane, John O'Hara, Sun Park, Lisa-Marie Parker, Nathan Pinell, Josh Piterman, Kellie Rode, Patrice Tipoki, Nicholas C Phillips, Ryan Sheppard, Kiara Keiser, Ellen Simpson, Kyla Bartholomew, Samantha Donimaide, Samm Hagen, Ellen Sutton, Danielle Cook, Priscilla Stavrou, Deana O’Leary, Anna McGrath, Tobias Madden and Luigi Lucente.

Image: Rodney Dobson, Ian Stenlake and Scott Irwin. Photo by Kurt Sneddon (Blueprint Studios).