Chicago Rocks Warnie's Socks Off

It was a tale of two musicals in one big city.

Opening night after Chicago at the Lyric Theatre in Star City had a big splashy party.

Pictured, Jeanne Little, Maria Venuti and friend celebrate after receiving a copy of Stage Whispers Magazine.

Across town at the opening of Warnie the Musical - the Producer's cancelled opening night drinks.

The news is grim, because while Warnie the Musical ran for five months in Melbourne it is scheduled to run for three weeks in Sydney.

Producers have reported a major softening in demand for tickets in recent weeks - as the economic downturn bites.

Another smaller musical Breast Wishes opened at the Seymour Centre - but cancelled a regional tour.

Breast Wishes opens next week in Canberra.

Getting good reviews doesn't appear to be saving some of the smaller shows.

Stage Whispers wrote about Warnie the Musical:

"Part stand up comedy routine, part under graduate romp and part brilliant musical...Shane Warne the Musical has the goods to be a sure fire hit."

(Well maybe not so sure fire.)

On Breast Wishes:

"Breast Wishes is a fun musical that tackles the real issues women face every day in a fun and musical way. This is a show to bring your girlfiends to for a night out and a laugh".

Chicago by contrast to the smaller musicals had good pre-sales after a successful opening in Brisbane.

Here is a taste of Peter Pinne's review which is on-line now.

"Chicago is back in town, and it’s vulgar, brassy, loud, and totally irresistible! Kander and Ebb’s vaudeville valentine of murder and celebrity in Chicago of the 20’s still delivers with all the theatrical razzle dazzle anyone could ever need. It’s ten years since Australian audiences first saw this Encores version of the show. Since that time it’s picked up a whole new legion of fans due to the 2002 Oscar winning movie. This new production is a knockout in every department."

It seems to be the case that it is the best of times and the worst of times.

David Spicer

May, 2009.