Disco Meets Classic Soapies in Soundsations

Life is a song worth singing in Soundsations - headed for Brisbane in May / June 2014.

The show fast forwards through 795 episodes of glamour, passion, romance, comedy and mayhem involving the dysfunctional Von Maestro family who talk and sing in popular song titles.

Major and his family own a musical empire Soundsations. His evil identical brother Bass plans to copy pieces of a platinum record used to unlock Soundsations’ valuable song catalogue.

Written, composed, directed and produced by John Wikman, the show is set in the 80’s era of mega sudsy family sagas like Dynasty and Dallas.  Intriguing twisted relationships and fabulously far-fetched subplots are swept along on a wave of sumptuous original songs aptly reflecting the mood and drama of each scene.

“Soap opera and disco music are a match made in heaven,” John said.  

“I have produced this show twice before in 2002 and 2006.  On each rewrite, the melodrama and cheesy characters grow bigger and bigger just like their hair and shoulder pads. 

“For this 2014 version I deconstructed the previous story and songs and completely rebuilt the show using hundreds and hundreds more popular song titles (particularly from the 70’s/80’s) and fitting them together like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle as dialogue and lyrics.”

It’ll be a challenge for the audience to keep up and see how many they can recognise”.

John has written all the music, lyrics and dialogue for eight full scale musicals he has produced and staged over the last 20 years in Brisbane. 

Out of these, he says Soundsations has a special meaning for him as the final song in Act 2 contains his musical theatre mantra – “there’s a story waiting for us in every verse and chorus”.

Soundsations plays at Wonargo Cultural Centre, 62 Flower St, Northgate (Brisbane). Performance times are 7.30pm, May 30, 31, June 6, 7, 13 and 14 with a 2pm matinee June 8. Tickets are $25, $20 (groups of 10 or more), $15 concession. To book online for Soundsations and to find out more about John’s full list of musicals visit his website www.johnwikmanproductions.com.au

Images: (Top - Left to Right) Major Von Maesto (Anthony Lahey),  Reporter (John Wikman), Rhapsody Sharp (Morgan Eldridge) and Riff Von Maestro (Marc Petzke) & (Lower - Left to Right) Major Von Maestro (Anthony Lahey), Choral Von Maestro (Judy Foster), Tempo (Daniel Sheehy), Melody Von Maestro (Wendy Goodfellow), Rhythm Glissando (Callun Winter),  Harmony Von Maestro (Julie McCoy),  Riff Von Maestro (Marc Petzke), Show Writer/producer (John Wikman) and Rhapsody Sharp (Morgan Eldridge).

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