Whitehorse Performing Arts Program - 2022 Professional Season Brochure

GLOW WHITEHORSE PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAM

2022

Come back to the theatre and share once more the magic of live entertainment.

Remember the shows that lifted your spirits, that sparked your imagination and inspired new thoughts?

It’s time to experience that inner glow again.

Ready, Set.... Glow!

Image: Brett Boardman

Whitehorse presents a Soft Tread production

THE WHARF REVUE – CAN OF WORMS Friday 8 April 8pm Saturday 9 April 2pm & 8pm Duration: 90 mins (no interval) Subscriber $56 Full $62 Conc $59 Venue: One Community, Blackburn Patron advice: May contain strong language and adult themes

“So hysterical that twice I was brought to tears – an activity usually reserved for funerals, Puccini and hitting my thumb with a hammer.”

— Sydney Morning Herald

Created and written by Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsythe and Phillip Scott. Performed by Jonathan Biggins, Mandy Bishop, Drew Forsythe and Phillip Scott Lighting Designer Matt Cox Video and Sound Designer David Bergman Costume Designers Hazel & Scott Fisher The Wharf Revue team have baited their hooks and are opening another can of worms on a new wharf, to trawl for every political flathead, groper or yellowtail that floats into view. Then the catch of the day will be filleted, battered and grilled and served in a spicy satire sauce with a topical garnish. (Chips extra).

All hands on deck for a daring adventure as they navigate the dire Straits of Covid, sail round the treacherous Horn of Scomo, steer well clear of the empty Cape of Pauline, only to be becalmed in the Nationals Bermuda Jacket Triangle before stumbling across a New World, filled with hope and promise! Or not.

Join the regular crew of creatives Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsythe and Phil Scott – along with their figurehead of talent Mandy Bishop – as they bravely voyage to the bottom of the barrel.

Whitehorse presents

CIRCLING TIME SONGS & STORIES By Kutcha Edwards Saturday 28 May 8pm Duration: 70 mins (no interval) Subscriber $44 Full $52 Conc $49 Venue: One Community, Blackburn

Created by Kutcha Edwards and Fiona Dean Performed by Kutcha Edwards, Scott Wilson, Siwei Wong and alternating drummers Cat Canteri & Brent Quirk From the wings of a darkened stage drifts the evocative, slightly haunting sound of clap sticks. A stoically paced figure slowly emerges singing in his traditional language.

This mesmerising introduction heralds a performance by renowned Aboriginal singer/songwriter and proud Mutti Mutti, Yorta Yorta and Nari Nari man, Kutcha Edwards.

This show explores Kutcha’s life through the themes of Country, Birth, Youth, Politics, Love, Culture, Healing and Hope. Each theme is bathed in individualised colours and enhanced by stunning projections that amplify the poignancy of Kutcha’s original songs and stories.

“I don’t think I’ve seen a more soulful performance in my life.”

— Jason Blake, Sydney

People are enriched by their encounter with Kutcha.

He leaves audiences enthralled with his performance, his beautiful voice, charismatic stage presence and with a deeper understanding of Australia’s first people.

Whitehorse presents a Critical Stages Touring production

THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING

By Joan Didion Saturday 11 June 2pm & 8pm

Directed by Laurence Strangio Performed by Jillian Murray Lighting Design Andy Turner Sound Design Darius Kedros Photography Jodie Hutchinson

Duration: 85 mins (no interval)

The details will be different, but it will happen to you.

Subscriber $44 Full $52 Conc $49 Venue: One Community, Blackburn Patron advice: Moderate language, adult themes, suitable for 15+ years

“We felt like privileged listeners, given access to an extraordinarily insightful confrontation with the way in which grief loosens our grasp on reason.”

— ArtsHub

Described by the New York Times as ‘thrilling and engaging – universal, profound… and uplifting’ Joan Didion’s celebrated memoir is brought to life by Green Room Award-winning actor Jillian Murray in a critically-acclaimed solo performance that reunites her with director Laurence Strangio.

This highly personal account of loss through the lens of hope unpacks a surreal and overwhelming time in Didion’s life as she faces the sudden loss of her husband John, and later her daughter Quintana.

Deeply moving, sometimes funny, and ultimately joyful, this is one woman’s story of the journey to find acceptance, and the lessons learnt in letting go.

After a critically-acclaimed sellout premiere season at Melbourne’s FortyFiveDownstairs this is a production that is a must-see for fans of great drama.

Whitehorse presents Amplified Assembly’s

UNSUNG

By Amelia Ryan Thursday 16 June 8pm Duration: 1 hr 30 mins (including interval) Subscriber $51 Full $58 Conc $55 Venue: One Community, Blackburn

Performed by Amelia Ryan and Libby O’Donovan On a hot summer’s day in 1965, Merle Thornton and Rosalie Bogner walked into the public bar of the Regatta Hotel in Brisbane, calmly chained themselves to the bar rail, and ordered a beer. What happened next would change the course of Australian history – and a little less obviously – the course of music in Australia for women, forever.

Join award-winning cabaret powerhouses Amelia Ryan and Libby O’Donovan in a rollicking, raucous celebration of songs and stories from 1960s Australia. Hear music from the likes of Lynne Randell, Little Patti, Judy Stone, Marcie Jones, Margret Roadknight, Wendy Saddington and Alison McCallum in an uplifting and nostalgic performance that pays homage to the women who blazed the trails for generations to come.

“Unsung quite literally gives voice to the real stories behind timeless Australian songs.”

— Glam Adelaide

Through history, heart and hilarity, this extraordinary cabaret duo brings these incredible women – and their music – out of the sidelines and into their rightful place in Aussie music history! Don’t miss this loud and proud celebration of the original Australian pop and rock divas.

Whitehorse presents an Alternative Facts production

GRACE UNDER PRESSURE

By David Williams & Paul Dwyer in collaboration with the Sydney Arts & Health Collective Saturday 23 July 2pm & 8pm Duration: 1 hr 25 mins (no interval) Subscriber $47 Full $55 Conc $52 Venue: One Community, Blackburn Patron advice: occasional coarse language, adult themes, suitable for 14+ years

“A deeply moving work that is both hopeful and compelling.”

— Arts Review

Health professionals are with us when we’re born and they’re with us when we die. They devote their lives to caring for us, but how do we care for them?

Can a doctor or nurse give a patient the best possible care if he or she hasn’t slept for days? What if they are also being bullied or sexually harassed at work? What if they complain about having to work excessive hours, but are told to stop whinging and suck it up? How do they cope with the pressure?

Based on hours of in-depth interviews with doctors and nurses about their experiences of training and working in hospitals, Grace Under Pressure is a surprising, intimate and deeply moving theatre experience that reveals these hidden stories of health professionals in their own words. Ranging from dark humour to heartbreak, these stories will leave no audience member unaffected. Beautifully staged and disarmingly performed, Grace Under Pressure is a truly unique theatre experience.

Grace Under Pressure was co-commissioned by Seymour Centre and The Big Anxiety, and developed with the support of the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies, University of Sydney. The Big Anxiety was assisted by the Australian government through the Department of Communication and the Arts’ Catalyst—Australian Arts and Culture Fund. This tour of Grace Under Pressure has been assisted by the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund – an Australian Government initiative

Whitehorse presents Winding Road Productions’

Anne Wood In

FEVER!

The Songs Of Peggy Lee Saturday 27 August 2pm & 8pm Duration: 1 hr 35 mins (including interval) Subscriber $47 Full $55 Conc $52 Venue: One Community, Blackburn

With Anne Wood and Mark Jones leading a swinging little four piece band – The Big Spenders Fever! is a tribute to the queen of sassy, sexy, sophisticated swing – Peggy Lee. Although probably best remembered for her finger-snapping style as she sang us the story of Romeo loving Juliet, she is so much more than just the woman who gave us Fever!

Peggy Lee was also an Academy Award nominated actress and a hit songwriter who consistently topped the charts in the 50s and 60s with classic swingers like: Why Don’t You Do Right?, Black Coffee, Big Spender, The Lady Is A Tramp and Hallelujah, I Love Him So! Music Theatre star Anne Wood (Mamma Mia, Wicked and Beautiful) is a long-time Peggy Lee fan and is no stranger to sassy, sexy sophistication herself! She’ll be bringing back ‘50s cool’ as she slips on her vintage kitten-heel pumps and counts in her swinging little four piece band for an evening of sultry swing, sly comedy songs, heartbreaking ballads and a whole lot of that Latin a la Lee! Hallelujah, You’ll Just Love Her So!

SONGS FROM THE ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE

I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPE VINE – MARVIN GAYE • YOU CAN’T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT – THE ROLLING STONES • TELL HIM – THE EXCITERS • THE TRACKS OF MY TEARS – THE MIRACLES • GOOD LOVIN’ – THE RASCALS • AIN’T TOO PROUD TO BEG – THE TEMPTATIONS • MY GIRL – THE TEMPTATIONS • QUICKSILVER GIRL – STEVE MILLER BAND • THE WEIGHT – THE BAND • GIMME SOME LOVIN’ – THE SPENCER DAVIS GROUP • BAD MOON RISING – CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL • WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN – PERCY SLEDGE • (YOU MAKE ME FEEL LIKE) A NATURAL WOMAN – ARETHA FRANKLIN • IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR – THE RASCALS • SECOND THAT EMOTION – SMOKEY ROBINSON AND THE MIRACLES • JOY TO THE WORLD – THREE DOG NIGHT • A WHITER SHADE OF PALE – PROCOL HARUM

Whitehorse presents

THE BIG CHILL Saturday 10 September 8pm Duration: 2 hrs (including interval) Subscriber $53 Full $60 Conc $57 Venue: One Community, Blackburn

The baby boomers in the classic 1980s movie The Big Chill, amongst revelations and regrets, wondered how they could possibly be in their 30s already! As they contemplated the rush towards the inevitable, an unforgettable soundtrack of iconic songs was interspersed throughout their drama-filled lives.

A playlist featuring the songs of The Rolling Stones, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, Creedence, The Temptations and more is presented in this one night only performance that will reaffirm just how timeless those songs really are.

Great songs are always great and no matter how old or young you are these songs are definitely some of the greatest. The songs are the stars and we’ve got stars singing them for you.

Starring Karise Eden with special guest Mick Moriarty accompanied by John Grant and The Big Chill Band.

WOW!

Whitehorse presents HIT Productions’

SUMMER OF THE SEVENTEENTH DOLL Friday 30 September 8pm Saturday 1 October 2pm Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins (including interval) Subscriber $47 Full $55 Conc $52 Venue: One Community, Blackburn Patron advice: adult themes, suitable for 15+ years

“A story of love, heartache, hope and loss … remains one of the theatrical canon’s most moving explorations of the fading of youth and dreams.”

Producer Christine Harris & HIT Productions Director Denny Lawrence Ray Lawler’s much-loved tale of Queensland cane cutters and Melbourne barmaids has endured, not through nostalgia, nor because it spawned a new age in Australian writing, but because the characters and their dilemmas are so true, so beautifully observed, so humorous and so poignant to a contemporary audience.

For sixteen years, two Queensland cane cutters have worked the punishing routine up north in the sugar cane fields for seven months of the year and travelled back to Melbourne to meet up for five months of partying and romance with their barmaid girlfriends. This seventeenth summer everything is different. This ‘off-season’ will prove challenging for them all as truths are told and lives unravel.

A triumph at its 1955 Melbourne premiere, this production of the Australian classic Summer of the Seventeenth Doll celebrates the 67th Anniversary of this iconic play.

— Arts Review This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.

Whitehorse presents RAZ Music’s

THIS IS US: A MUSICAL REFLECTION OF AUSTRALIA Saturday 19 November 8pm Duration: 1 hr 50 mins (including interval) Subscriber $47 Full $55 Conc $52 Venue: One Community, Blackburn

Performed by Grigoryan Brothers Two of Australia’s most beloved classical musicians, acclaimed guitarists Slava and Leonard Grigoryan, have created a suite of music inspired by objects personally selected from the National Museum of Australia’s vast collection tracing Australia’s diverse and complex history.

From ancient Arnhem Land ochre to Don Bradman’s first cricket bat and Fred Hollows’ lens case; from a convict love token to the prototype Holden motor car, This Is Us takes us on an evocative and unforgettable musical journey through Australia’s history and heritage.

Incorporating all their influences from classical to jazz and contemporary music, you will see and hear the Grigoryan Brothers like never before.

This Is Us is also a personal declaration from Slava and Leonard, as this music was composed during COVID-19 restrictions with both living in different states, and therefore a new direction for them: it is the first time they will be performing an entire program of original works.

Whitehorse presents Dummies Corp.’s

DON’T MESS WITH THE DUMMIES Thursday 21 April 1pm Duration: 60 mins (no interval) Full $22 Family (4+) $20 Venue: Box Hill Town Hall Suitable for 5+ years

“Comedy capers with incredible stunts.”

— Edinburgh Festival, The List

Lions and tigers and dummies, oh my! Set up camp and stampede into the jungle for an outlandish, circus filled extravaganza that will leave you chuckling like a monkey and roaring for more.

The Dummies are on an expedition and you’re invited along for the ride. Pack your bag, tie your shoes and get ready for circus-filled hilarity as the Dummies rumble in the jungle, swing through treetops and bash through the undergrowth. This rambunctious rollick features a rockin’ soundtrack, unbelievable acrobatics and trademark Dummies frivolity.

Dummies Corp have delighted audiences young and old with a nuanced blend of circus, comedy and imaginative play, creating shared and treasured experiences for families across Australia and around the world.

This ‘inspirational all-female troop’ (The Wee Review Edinburgh) of strong women, empower and educate young audiences to question gender stereotypes and societal expectations of gender.

Whitehorse presents

WOLFGANG’S MAGICAL MUSICAL CIRCUS By Circa Saturday 25 June 11am Duration: 60 mins (no interval) Full $22 Family (4+) $20 Venue: Box Hill Town Hall Suitable for 3+ years

“Manic and magical.”

— The Guardian

Created by Yaron Lifschitz with Benjamin Knapton and the Circa Ensemble Straight from the score and onto the stage, the man known as Mozart appears amid a storm of powder, tumbling and twirling, as musical mayhem and movement fuse in this family show with a circus twist. To those who know him, he is Wolfgang, the dartplaying ratbag. To those who are watching and listening, he is the wigged genius Mozart.

Wolfgang’s Magical Musical Circus reinvents the composer’s magical music in a skilful and illuminating show featuring Circa’s dexterous daredevil artists and a live accordionist. Watch as the notes are physically lifted off the page as performers bring the renowned compositions to life amidst powder, tumbles and crashes, all under the eccentric swirl of the conductor’s baton.

Commissioned by The Art House Wyong. Circa acknowledges the assistance of the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body and the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

Circa is based in Meanjin (Brisbane) on the lands of the Jagera and Turrbal people. We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the many lands on which we create and perform. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

Whitehorse presents That Science Gang’s

THE ALPHABET OF AWESOME SCIENCE Wed 28 September 1pm Duration: 60 mins (no interval) Full $22 Family (4+) $20 Venue: Box Hill Town Hall Suitable for 5+ years

— Adelaide Advertiser

Written and Directed by David Lampard Join professors Lexi Con and Noel Edge (the Word Nerd and the Science Freak) for a thrilling, multi awardwinning voyage through the alphabet – where great big chewy sesquipedalian words inspire mind-blowing scientific surprises.

Professor Lexi Con has curated a curious collection of her favourite words (one for every letter of the alphabet) with each word providing Professor Noel Edge with an inspirational jumping off point for 26 quirky scientific demonstrations – that squish and squirt, float and fly, erupt and explode. Together, this dad-joke quipping, prank-pulling pair of polished professors strut their stuff in a performance that’s equal parts explosive, messy, spectacular, hilarious, fascinating and gross.

And if things weren’t exciting enough, every show is completely different, with audiences determining the order in which the letters are revealed and explored. Plus, did we mention, this is a race? The dynamic duo have just 52 minutes to complete their alphabetical, scientifical countdown. That’s just 2 minutes per experiment!

Will they make it in time…?

MIDWEEK

BLOWIN’ IN THE WIND Wednesday 4 May 11am Venue: Stairway, Vermont Tickets $22 Group (10+) $20 Morning tea served from 10am The 60th anniversary of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War is commemorated in this new production, with hit songs, stories and indeed laughter. The show also pays homage to our WW2 heroes and is set in front of a backdrop of incredible images on the big screen.

Many great singers who performed during these wars are highlighted, including Dame Vera Lynn, The Andrews Sisters, Bob Dylan and Normie Rowe. Songs will include White Cliffs of Dover, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Blowin’ in The Wind, Smiley and a stirring version of Bring Him Home. Led by narrator Chris McKenna, the stunning cast includes Roy Best, Jaz Flowers, Alison Jones and Caroline Vercoe.

GEMS OF JAZZ Wednesday 17 August 11am Venue: Stairway, Vermont Tickets $22 Group (10+) $20 Morning tea served from 10am An exciting showcase of timeless classics by Gershwin, Arlen, Berlin and Porter, with songs made famous

by Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Dinah Washington, Nat King Cole and many more.

Gina Hogan presents this fun show, which includes popular classics including: It’s Too Darn Hot, Summertime, Can’t Help Lovin’ That Man, Ain’t Misbehavin’ and Fever, to dazzle and delight you.

Gina’s astounding voice and bubbly personality will have you smiling, chair dancing and singing along!

MATINEES

SOME ENCHANTED EVENING Wednesday 12 October 11am Venue: Stairway, Vermont Tickets $22 Group (10+) $20 Morning tea served from 10am Join us for a very special event paying tribute to the timeless music of Rodgers and Hammerstein. Featuring your favourite tunes from Carousel, The King and I, The Sound of Music and many more, this is truly an enchanted concert of exquisite songs from the golden age of musicals. Be captivated by the beautiful music of You’ll Never Walk Alone, Younger Than Springtime, Climb Every Mountain and Oh What a Beautiful Morning, in a magical and uplifting concert.

CHRISTMAS MORNING Wednesday 7 December 11am Venue: Stairway, Vermont Tickets $22 Group (10+) $20 Morning tea served from 10am Roy Best and Alison Jones will be joined by Australia’s fastest rising piano virtuoso William Schmidt in a highly entertaining show that will be just the ticket to warm your hearts leading into Christmas.

Packed with beautiful duets and solos and plenty of laughs, perennial favourite Chris McKenna will compere this special concert to ‘sing-in’ Christmas 2022.

REASONS TO SUBSCRIBE! It’s Great Value Become a subscriber and save up to $8 per ticket on the full price.

Priority Booking Be first in line for the best seats and jump the queue with the priority booking period that commences Monday 14 February and ends on Monday 28 February 2022.

Free Ticket Exchanges If your plans change, you can exchange your ticket to another performance without incurring a fee.

Pay in Instalments An instalment program means you only pay when you see the show. That’s right, no up-front payment.

Treat Your Friends Add your friends’ tickets to your booking form so they will also enjoy great savings and you can see the show together.

BOOKING INFORMATION SEASON 2022 BOX OFFICE Whitehorse City Council Civic Centre Customer Service Counter 379 Whitehorse Rd Nunawading Monday to Thursday 10am – 12pm Telephone 9262 6555 Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm Email tickets@whitehorse.vic.gov.au Visit whitehorsecentre.com.au SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGES Of our 9 great shows available, choose a minimum of 5 to create a package and enjoy the benefits of a priority booking period commencing Monday 14 February and ending Monday 28 February 2022, plus the advantage of an instalment payment plan.

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE Subscribe Online Select your own seats and purchase a subscription online.

Submit Booking Form Complete the booking form and mail or email back to us.

PAY BY INSTALMENTS Create a subscription package of between 5 and 9 shows and have the option to pay in instalments. Please note the following terms and conditions: •Y ou are committed to paying the full amount of your package.

• I f your credit card (MasterCard or Visa) expires during the year please contact us with your new expiry date.

•S cheduled instalments will appear on your credit card statement as ‘City of Whitehorse’.

INDIVIDUAL TICKETS Individual tickets to all Season 2022 shows go on sale Tuesday 1 March 2022 and can be purchased online, in person, by phone. Please note: phone bookings incur a $4.00 handling fee and internet bookings incur a $3.00 handling fee.

www.whitehorsecentre.com.au

$30 TICKETS (U30) If you are under the age of 30 then take advantage of this great offer of $30 tickets as part of the Season 2022 shows. Proof of age may be required.

TICKET EXCHANGES You may exchange your ticket to a show for another performance of the same show (where available) prior to the first performance.

This service is free for subscribers. Please visit whitehorsecentre.com.au for full ticketing terms and conditions.

ACCESS AND ACCESSIBILITY • One Community, Stairway and Box Hill Town Hall are accessible for patrons in wheelchairs or with limited mobility. If you require a wheelchair space, please request this when booking tickets.

•F ree and accessible parking is available at One Community and Stairway.

•P atrons with a hearing or speech impairment can call us via the National Relay Service on 133 677 then quote 9262 6333.

KEY DATES Monday 14 February 2022

Monday 28 February 2022

Tuesday 1 March 2022

Priority booking period commences for subscribers.

Last day to secure the best available seats before single tickets go on sale.

Single tickets for all plays and music go on sale at 10am.

WHITEHORSE PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE REDEVELOPMENT A World Class Performing Arts Experience in the Making The new Whitehorse performing arts centre will be a contemporary community performing arts venue that delivers a world-class experience.

With a 626-seat main theatre and 200-seat studio theatre, the centre will offer a broad array of arts and cultural opportunities for the Whitehorse community to enjoy.

To stay informed about this exciting project please visit www.whitehorsecentre.com.au and sign up for our monthly eNews.

The Patron Experience

The Performer Experience

No matter where you sit, you’ll have the best seat in the house. Just sit back, relax and enjoy your favourite show in this beautiful auditorium.

Whether you are an actor, singer, dancer, comedian or musician, stepping on to this stage and into the spotlight will be an experience to be cherished.

VENUES The shows, the music and our friendly service continue just down the road at our home-away-from-home.

ONE COMMUNITY 184 Surrey Road, Blackburn

OTHER VENUES

STAIRWAY

BOX HILL TOWN HALL

171 Rooks Road, Vermont

1022 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill

Enjoy our Midweek Matinee concerts at Stairway. There is plenty of free, off-street parking at this well-appointed venue and we look forward to welcoming you there for morning tea prior to the show.

Our children’s shows are presented in the wonderful Main Hall of Box Hill Town Hall.

SEE YOU AT THE THEATRE…

CELEBRATE THE ARTS

Whitehorse City Council proudly presents the 2022 Professional Season, one of the major features of its arts program.

whitehorsecentre.com.au

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