Community Theatre

Teenager Takes on Keating the Musical.

Young Sydney theatre company Kore Productions are staging a short season of Casey Bennetto’s Keating the Musical at Sidetrack Theatre in Sydney’s inner west.

David Spicer gives his impressions from opening night.

I turned up not knowing what to expect. The Producer Kyle Stephens was just 18 and barely had enough money to rent a Zegna suit.

Being not flush with cash can be a big help. Kyle told me how everyone chipped in to help him produce the show. By opening night he was already in the black! Hey Broadway here he comes.

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South Australian Premiere for Hairspray

Matt Byrne Media will present the South Australian Premiere of Hairspray at the Arts Theatre, Adelaide from July 4 – 14, followed by a season at the Shedley Theatre, Elizabeth from July 19 – 28.

Producer / director Matt Byrne met writer John Waters last year, and told stage Whispers, “David Gauci (Edna) and I were lucky enough to meet John Waters himself when he brought his one man show to Adelaide last year (pictured above, from left - Matt Byrne, John Waters and David Gauci).

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Saint Joan: Sydney Little Theatre’s Big Project.

Sydney’s Genesian Theatre has taken on an epic challenge with a revival of George Bernard Shaw’s Saint Joan, opening in November, to be directed by Kevin Jackson. Jackson who recently resigned from the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) after more than 27 years of service to the school. He also taught extensively at the American Conservatory Theatre (ACT) in San Francisco.

Regarded by many as Shaw’s masterpiece, SAINT JOAN features a cast of over twenty and explores the life and motivations of Joan of Arc.

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Canberra CATS Set to Prowl in Old Theatre

CATS will be staged by Free Rain Theatre Company (ACT) at the ANU Arts Centre from July 4 to 22, 2012.

Learn about the secret life of cats as they meet once a year at the Jellicle Ball to celebrate being cats. At the ball their leader will announce the cat who will be re-born and go to the wonderful Heavyside Layer. Get to know the individual cats who are contenders for this honour when their characters are presented in music and movement.

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Kaleidoscope: One Act Play Season on Gold Coast

TORN and Damaged is the theme of Gold Coast Little Theatre’s 2012 Kaleidoscope one act play season, from July 12 – 14.

Co-ordinator Noella Johnson says this year’s Kaleidoscope an annual event at GCLT, is a very diverse collection, offering something for everyone.

The Monkey's Paw by W W Jacobs and dramatised by Louis N Parker, is directed by Nathan Schulz. It looks at how fate can rule people’s lives and suggests that those who interfere with it, may do so to their sorrow.

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Chatswood Kids On Broadway

Chatswood Musical Society (NSW) presents Kids on Broadway, featuring an all-child cast of (almost) 50 singing the hit songs from best loved kids’ musicals, during the July holidays (July 7 to 15).

Following from its Best of Broadway and A Night on the West End shows (and fresh from a sell-out season of Miss Saigon at the Concourse), Kids on Broadway features performers aged 6-16 years old.

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Players Celebrating 30 Years with Urinetown: The Musical

Players Theatre Company (Vic) is celebrating its 30th year Anniversary in 2012 by staging Urinetown: The Musical from June 29.

Over the last 30 years Players has produced shows including The Witches Of Eastwick, RENT, Gypsy, Oklahoma and Hot Mikado.

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Gender Switch for Gold Coast Odd Couple

Oscar and Felix become Olive and Florence as Neil Simon's contemporary classic takes on a new twist at Javeenbah Theatre with The Odd Couple Female Version taking to the stage from July 13th – 28th.

With the script flipped to star ladies instead of gentlemen, Director Jim Dickson is thrilled to bring this unique but classic comedy to Javeenbah.

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Arabian Nights - Milton Follies

I took the three hour drive south from Sydney to visit the lovely village of Milton.

The Director Di Falloon had invited me to see their production of the musical Arabian Nights by Adam Forde and David Perkins which I represent.

The Milton Follies company is celebrating ten years of entertaining their community and I have been honoured that almost half their productions have been from my catalogue. They use a lovely little theatre on the main street in their town.

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Hedda Gabler, Ibsen's 'Female Hamlet', for Perth

ONE of theatre’s great dramatic roles is coming to Perth’s Melville Theatre from July 13, 2012, when Henrik Ibsen’s 1891 masterpiece Hedda Gabler is staged.

Olivia Darby takes on the title role of Hedda Gabler, commonly referred to as the “female Hamlet” in theatre circles, because of her strong and complicated nature and an energy both attractive and destructive.

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