Sweet Charity Tour Details Announced

Luckiest Productions, Neil Gooding Productions and Tinderbox Productions have announced the return of the hit triple Helpmann Award winning hit production of Sweet Charity, playing Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Wollongong from January to March 2015.

Sweet Charity premiered at Hayes Theatre Co in February 2014, receiving rave reviews and leading to a sell-out season. Sweet Charity went on to be nominated for eight Helpmann Awards and won three including Best Female Actor in a Musical for Verity Hunt Ballard, Best Direction of a Musical for Dean Bryant and Best Choreography in a Musical for Andrew Hallsworth.

“Presenting Sweet Charity at Hayes Theatre Co in Sydney was one of the most rewarding experiences of our producing careers” said Lisa Campbell of Luckiest Productions. “The magic that was created by the cast and creative team rightly caused a sensation, and we were immediately determined to bring this magical experience to a wider audience. We are thrilled to be able to present the show again.”

If you believe in something hard enough, then eventually it has to come true, right?   Charity Hope Valentine is the eternal optimist - a worldview that puts her distinctly at odds with her co-workers in a seedy, run-down dance hall.  Dancing with man after man to pay her rent, she dreams of finally being whisked out of there and rescued by love.  But can Charity wish her way into making love come true?

“I am so delighted to be working with Luckiest Productions and Neil Gooding on the transfer of Sweet Charity,” said Tinderbox Producer Liza McLean. “Audiences are in for a real treat next year when this talented cast grace the stages of Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Wollongong!”

Sweet Charity is directed by Helpmann and Green Room Award winner Dean Bryant, with an outstanding musical theatre cast led by Verity Hunt-Ballard, who won a Helpmann Award for Charity and her star-making role as Mary Poppins in the 2011 Disney and Cameron Mackintosh touring production. Cast members include Helpmann nominees Martin Crewes (Dr Zhivago), and Debora Krizak (A Chorus Line), with Musical Direction by Andrew Worboys, choreography by Andrew Hallsworth, and costume and wig design by Academy Award and Tony winner Tim Chappel. They are accompanied by Kuki Tipoki, Rowena Vilar, Xander Ellis, Francesca O’Donnell, Jakob Ambrose and Kate Cole.

“Hayes Theatre Co exploded onto the theatre scene with this moving, incredible production of Sweet Charity,” says Hayes Theatre Co Chair Neil Gooding.  “The Helpmann Awards were an unexpected surprise - and we are beyond thrilled to see our first production touring Australia in 2015.  We hope that this is the first of many main-stage transfers for the productions which originate at Hayes Theatre Co – the home for musical theatre and cabaret in Sydney.”

"Downsized, dirtied up and over-flowing with music-theatre talent... there is little to match the thrill of theatre seen right up close... the work done by this small, highly expert team is exceptional"


Deborah Jones, The Australian

"A fresh, thrilling production... Verity Hunt-Ballard gives a radiant, endearing performance; sensationally sung and danced, with knockout comic timing... Don't miss it."

Jo Litson, Sunday Telegraph

"It's a thrill to see and hear performers of this calibre close up...Crewes is a delight. Krizak is superb.  A memorable night."

Jason Blake, Sydney Morning Herald

"Brilliant, ballsy, and unmissable - an astonishing version of the American classic... Dean Bryant and Andrew Worboys have crafted a version that makes the experience complete and thrilling... Run as fast as you can."

Diana SImmonds, Stage Noise

"An incredibly high-energy take on the classic musical... Verity Hunt-Ballard plays Charity to perfection... Sets the bar very high."

Penny Spirou, Australian Stage

"Musical theatre doesn't come any better than this... A production in which I simply can't find a fault."

Neil Litchfield, Stage Whispers


Book by Neil Simon

Music by Cy Coleman

Lyrics by Dorothy Fields

Based on an original screenplay by Federico Fellini, Tullio Pinelli and Ennio Plaiano

Produced for the Broadway Stage by Fryer, Carr and Harris

Conceived, Staged and Choreographed by Bob Fosse

Costume Design byTim Chappel

Set Design by Owen Phillips

Lighting Design by Ross Graham

Sweet Charity Tour Information

Sydney

Sydney Opera House Presents in association with Luckiest Productions, Neil Gooding Productions,Tinderbox Productions and Hayes Theatre Co

From 15^th January 2015

Playhouse | Sydney Opera House

To Book sydneyoperahouse.com or call the box office on (02) 9259 7777

Canberra

Luckiest Productions, Neil Gooding Productions and Tinderbox Productions and Hayes Theatre Co and in association with Canberra Theatre Centre

11^th - 21^st February 2015

The Playhouse | Canberra Theatre Centre

To Book canberratheatrecentre.com.auor call the box office on (02) 6275 2700

Groups (02) 6275 2727

Melbourne

Arts Centre Melbourne in association with Luckiest Productions, Neil Gooding Productions, Tinderbox Productions and Hayes Theatre Co presents

25 February – 8 March 

Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne

www.artscentremelbourne.com.au

Wollongong

Luckiest Productions, Neil Gooding Productions and Tinderbox Productions and Hayes Theatre Co in association with Merrigong Theatre Company 

11^th - 15^th March 2015

Illawarra Performing Arts Centre

To Book merrigong.com.auor call the box office on (02) 4224 5999

Photographer: Kurt Sneddon