There is a list of good musicals that are currently playing or about to open in Australia. I am very pleased, particularly since I've read many times that it's getting harder to finance and stage those shows here. In Melbourne, Phantom of the Opera and Priscilla the Musical are currently on. In Sydney, Billy Elliot will open in November, Rent will open in Perth also in November and in Adelaide, Assassins and Miss Saigon will open in December. And let's not forget Wicked, which will finally open in Melbourne in July 08! I know it is a sorry state compared to Broadway and West End, but we can't really compete, considering that the population of America is 300 million, and the UK 60.6 million. There are only 20 million of us here. I've learned to appreciate what we do have.
lt would be nice to see all the shows I've mentioned above, except maybe Rent. I would love to see the original production in Broadway and I've watched the DVD many times (which I hear is not as good as the stage production but at least it features six out of eight original main cast members). But this Perth production features Nikki Webster... Huh? I can't possibly imagine which main character would she play. And if she has the role of the sexy, sizzling minx Maureen or the streetwise exotic dancer Mimi, I think Jonathan Larson (the late creator) will resurrect himself in protest. I can't see her as Joanne the lesbian lawyer either. And Anthony Callea? I can't help but wonder what on earth was the casting director thinking.
I will definitely try and see Billy Elliot the Musical. I absolutely adore that movie and according to my very lucky friend who saw it in London, it is a phenomenally successful film to stage adaptation. She gave it 9 out of 10. The musical version opened in London in May 2005 and it's been hugely popular since, still playing to full houses more than two years later. It will open in Sydney from 13th of November at the Capitol Theatre (tickets are available from Ticketmaster). Not only is the story very powerful and inspiring, now that it's a musical, we'll get to see more dancing and singing as well. Four boys, who were chosen from over a thousand hopefuls, will alternately play the lead role of Billy.
I can hardly wait to experience the magic and I do hope that the Australian production will be just as entertaining and captivating.
2 comments:
Anthony Callea was an exceptionally good choice for the role, and I honestly can't see why you put him down so!
I wasn't putting Anthony Callea down. I personally think he is miscast. I just can't see him as Mark (the nerdy, timid and lovesick Jewish filmmaker) at all. But if you can, you'll enjoy seeing him on stage and that's what counts.
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