Page 64 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Observer Showbiz AUDITIONS ■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: Life and Beth (Alan Ayckbourn) April 1 at 2.00pm at Bracken Hall, Wilson St., Cheltenham (off Centre Dandenong Rd.). Director: Martin Gibbs. Enquiries: 0411 645003. ■ Malvern Theatre Company: An Evening with Chekhov's Short Comedies (by Anton Chekhov) April 1 at 2.00pm, April 2 at 7.30pm at 29 Burke Rd., East Malvern. Director: John Keogh. Enquiries: 0401 745483. ■ Peridot Theatre Company: One Act Play Season. The Waiting Room (by John Bowen) April 2 at 7.00pm at the Unicorn Theatre, Lechte Rd., Mt Waverley. Director: Annie Blood. Call 9551 9084 for audition bookings. ■ Fab Nobs: Next to Normal April 3, 5 at the Fab Factory, Industry Place, Bayswater. Director: Nicholas Kong; Musical Director: Naomi Osborne. Audition bookings: 0414 367062 or email fabnobs2n@gmail.com ■ Brighton Theatre Company: Calendar Girls (by Tim Firth) April 10, 11 at 7.30pm at Brighton Theatre, Cnr. Wilson and Carpenter Sts., Brighton. Director: Alan Burrows. Audition bookings: 0412 077761 or email aburrow1@bigpond.net ■ Sunshine Community Theatre: Dirty Bird (by Stephen Andrews) April 17 at 7.30pm at Dempster Park Hall, Phoenix St., North Sunshine. Director: Tania Maxwell. Audition bookings: 0407 802165. ■ Monash University Academy of Performing Arts: Return to the Forbidden Planet April 18 at 4.00pm, April 19 at 6.00pm, April 20 at 4.00pm at Normanby House, 100 Normanby Rd., Clayton. Director: Bryce Ives; Musical Director: Adrian Portelli. Audition bookings: 9905 4687 or fred.wallace@monash.edu ■ Williamstown Little Theatre: God of Carnage April 22 at 1.00pm, April 23 at 7.30pm at 2 Albert St., Williamstown. Director: Bruce Akers. Audition bookings: 0432 984781. ■ Gemco Players: The Crucible (by Arthur Miller) April 29 from 4.00pm, April 30 from 7.30pm at The Gem, 19 Kilvington Drive, Emerald. Director: Sharon Maine. Audition bookings: email pagetostageaustralia@gmail.com
LYRIC OPERA ■ Lyric Opera of Melbourne will launch their 2012 season on April 19 by bringing together two quirky and rarely performed operas to Chapel Off Chapel - Trouble In Tahiti by Leonard Bernstein and The Red Apple by Jacques Offenbach. Showcasing some of Melbourne’s most talented young up-and-coming performers, the striking new production will take a look at desire and love in a modern metropolis. Nathan Gilkes, director of Lyric Opera of Melbourne, is excited for audiences to see the latest shows. “We are thrilled to be bringing these operatic gems to Melbourne, which have rarely been performed either in Australia or internationally. “Lyric Opera of Melbourne is made up of committed and passionate opera creators who have combined their talents to form a community of artists to bring new operas to Australians.” Trouble In Tahiti by Leonard Bernstein is a touching look at the post war suburban dream and follows Dinah and Sam, a once-loving married couple who now find themselves lost. The opera sees Dinah become trapped in suburban life and retreat to a fantasy island of her imagination, while Sam has difficulty coping with being a father, a husband and his own man. The Red Apple (‘Pomme d’Api’) by Jacques Offenbach is a quirky charade which looks at the extreme lengths two men will go to impress the mistress they share and win her affections. Music director and conductor Pat Miller said, “This vibrant double bill focuses on two women surrounded by men, both in control in The Red Apple and losing control in Trouble In Tahiti. Offenbach and Bernstein bring these women to life with music of great charm and sensitivity that can be enjoyed and understood by everyone from the first time opera goer to the seasoned music lover.” Lyric Opera of Melbourne continues its nine-year streak of producing fresh, new productions rarely seen on an Australian stage. The talented cast for the double bill includes Caroline Vercoe, Matthew Thomas, KateAmos, Michael Lapina, Bruce Raggatt, Kate Macfarlane and Ben Riley. Lyric Opera of Melbourne is a unique opera company committed to performing innovative works rarely staged in Australia, presenting them using non-traditional styles for an eclectic mix of opera and music to dazzle, challenge and entertain. Performances: April 19, 21, 23, 26, 28, 29, including one matinee. Venue: Chapel Off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel St, Prahran. Tickets: $48 adults, $38 concession, $30 for patrons under 30 years of age. Lyric Opera will also hold a $20 Student Night on Monday, April 23. Bookings and Enquiries: 8290 7000 or visit www.chapeloffchapel.com.au
Local Theatre With Cheryl Threadgold
Melbourne
Observer
DANCING AT LUGHNASA SHOWS ■ Geelong Repertory Theatre Company: Dancing at Lughnasa (by Brian Friel) April 13 - 28 at 8:00pm Thursday, Friday, Saturdays. Matinées 2:00pm Sundays at the Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation St., West Geelong. Bookings: 5225 1200 www.geelongrep.com.au ■ Hartwell Players: Macbeth (William Shakespeare) April 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28 at 8.00pm, April 14, 21, 28 at 2.00pm, April 22 at 5.00pm at the Ashwood Performing Arts Centre, Vannam Drive, Ashwood. Director: Samuel Chappell. Tickets: $18/$12. Bookings: 9513 9581 or bookings@hartwellplayers.org.au ■ The 1812 Theatre: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? April 18 - May 5 at The Bakery at 1812, 3-5 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Evenings 8.00pm, Matinees 4.00pm. Director: Libby Procter. Tickets: $25. Bookings: 9758 3984. www.1812theatre.com.au ■ Williamstown Little Theatre: Compleat Female Stage Beauty (by Jeffrey Hatcher) April 19 - May 5, Tues- Sat at 8:15pm, Sundays 5pm at 2-4 Albert Street, Williamstown. Director: Chris Baldock. Bookings: www.wlt.org.au or 9885 9678. ■ Malvern Theatre Company: Never the Sinner (by John Logan) April 20 - May 5, 8.15pm Tuesdays to Saturdays, 2pm matinees April 21, 29 at 29a Burke Road, East Malvern. Director: Nicholas Opolski. Tickets: $20/$18. Bookings: 1300 131 552. www.malverntheatre.com.au ■ Peridot Theatre: The Peppercorn Tree (by Alison Campbell Rate) April 27 - May 12, Wed - Sat at 8.15pm, April 29, May 5 at 2.15pm and May 6 at 4.00pm at the Unicorn Theatre, Lechte Rd., Mt Waverley. Bookings: 1300 138 646 (no mobiles) or 9898 9090 (for mobiles) www.peridot.com.au ■ Williamstown Musical Theatre Company: Red Hot and Cole May 4, 5, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19 at 8.00pm, May 13 at 2.00pm at the Williamstown Mechanics Institute, Cnr Melbourne Rd and Electra St., Williamstown. Director: Anna Marinelli; Musical Director: Malcolm Fawcett; Choreographer: Carla Gianinotti. Tickets: $32/ $28. Opening Night Black Tie $35. Bookings: 1300 881 545. www.wmtc.org.au ■ Southern Peninsula Players: Fawlty Towers (John Cleese and Connie Booth) Featuring: The Anniversary, The Psychiatrist and Kipper and the Corpse. May 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19 at 8.00pm, May 20 at 2.00pm at the Rosebud Memorial Hall. Director: Evan Knoble. Tickets: $20/$15. Bookings: 5982 2777 or visit Rosebud Carpets, Pt. Nepean Rd., Rosebud. ■ Warragul Theatre Company: Carmen - The musical, May 18 - 26 at the West Gippsland Arts Centre. Director: Michelle Carrigy; Musical Director: David Williams; Choreographer: Emmalee Meisels. Bookings: 5624 2456 www.wgac.org.au
Sunset Boulevard
● Scott Hili (Mr Manfred) and Mark Doran (screenwriter Joe Gillis) in CLOC Musical Theatre’s Sunset Boulevard, opening on May 4. Photo: Richard Crompton ■ CLOC Musical Theatre presents prepares to launch its 2012 season with the Australasian non-professional premiere of the musical adaptation of the 1950 classic movie Sunset Boulevard. The show opens on May 4 and will run until May 19 at the National Theatre, Cnr. Barkly and Carlisle Sts, St Kilda. With music by Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, and lyrics by composer Don Black and Christopher Hampton, CLOC has assembled a superb cast and a multi-award winning production team to recreate this larger-than-life tale of faded and deluded silent movie star Norma Desmond and her fantasy world as she prepares for her triumphant screen comeback (or as Norma says “I hate that word – it’s a return”!). Tickets: $40 Full Price, $36 Concession, $25 Children Under 16. Bookings: 1300 362547 or online www.cloc.org.au
INDEPENDENT THEATRE FEATURED SHOW
DINGO’S BABY AT LA MAMA
■ La Mama presents Dingo’s Baby as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival from April 4 – 22 at La Mama Courthouse, 349 Drummond St., Carlton. Through burlesque and yarn, Dingo’s Baby asks: when you sing We Are Australian, what the bloody hell are you? Indigenous or imported? What if we’ve all been stolen? On the road to Uluru, an indigenous bogan who doesn’t remember being stolen comes face-to-face with a busload of ‘Dinki Di’Aussies. These degenerating second generation Australians are on a hilarious journey to the centre of a place they didn’t come from to discover who they are and where they belong. Komissar Kabaret is a cutting-edge intercultural cabaret company working with local and international students, indigenous youth, young professionals and established Melbourne performers, musicians and writers. Directed by Ella Filar with special participation from Bruce Langdon, lyrics and text are by Ella Filar and Sarah Barry, Neil Ryan and Mary Gentile. Dingo’s Baby is devised and performed by Sarah Berry, Tanya Heine, Mary Gentile, Linda Coleman, Justin Grant, Peter Condon, Carlos Gutierrez, Uraine Mastrosavas, Greg Fryer, Ian Michael, Robbie Thorpe and Jody Beeton Performance Season: April 4 - 22 Times: Wed, Sun 6.30pm; Thu, Fri, Sat 7.30pm Venue: La Mama Courthouse, 349 Drummond St., Carlton. Running time: 75 minutes. Tickets: $25 Full, $15 Concession.Tickets available online www.lamama.com.au or via the La Mama Booking line, 9347 6142
● In Dingo’s Baby from La Mama
Cheryl Threadgold on 3AW ■ Non-Pro Theatre columnist Cheryl Threadgold is heard weekly on 3AW Melbourne Overnight program hosted by Andrew McLaren. Cheryl presents a segment with the latest community theatre news at 12.45am Wednesdays.