Perth is spoilt for choice when it comes to big musical productions these coming months.
Chicago has made a home at Burswood Theatre until March 28, Oklahoma! will nestle into His Majesty’s Theatre from March 17 to 20 and… wait for it… Cats are coming to town in April.
Oklahoma! director John Senczuk said he is trying to make Perth a hub for musical theatre and its pool of young talented stars.
‘We just felt it was time for a professional company in Perth to produce musicals for local talent and Perth audiences because professional musicals arrive as a massive juggernaut stay three to four weeks and move off,’ Senczuk said.
The undertaking is not easy since venues in Perth are limited and it will be at least another 25 years until a lyrical theatre may be created in Perth, according to Senczuk.
‘It’s just not conducive, with musicals you have got to build a home,’ he said.
‘There’s a huge amount of talent that needs to be supported. I would like to think that musical theatre performers [in Perth] can have [an international career].’
Oklahoma! features the local talents of Drew Weston, lead actor Michael Loney as Andrew Carne, stage veteran Chris Waddell as Ike and interstate special guest Penny Cook as Aunt Eller, among the 16-person cast.
Meanwhile the 19-strong orchestra will perform a musical score of sing-along favourites such as Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin’, I Can’t Say No and Oklahoma!
‘At the end of the day there are fantastic roles, singing, dancing and just a rollicking good show,’ he said.
He and Chicago resident director Karen Johnson Mortimer said Perth audiences were ripe for the entertainment that world-renown stage shows bring.
‘During a financial crisis people spend their entertainment dollar to be taken outside their stressful life, they just want a good laugh and some entertainment, ‘Senczuk said.
‘In all the years I have been involved in the industry it tends to go up and down depending on what is happening in the economic climate,’ Johnson Mortimer said.
‘When the world hits financial trouble, theatre comes to the fore-front. I don’t know why that is, maybe it’s because people want to leave their worries behind and get away from television and DVDs – it’s just a relief.’
Unlike the original vaudeville production, with elaborate costumes and set designs, this staging of Chicago will be in concert, meaning the orchestra will be onstage and the focus will be on the integrity of the story and musical score, with the actors dressed simply in black.
With a musical score such as All That Jazz, When You’re Good to Momma and Me And My Baby, it is little wonder the attention is focused on the music.
Veteran musical theatre actor Caroline O’Connor plays Velma Kelly, a role she played on Broadway and on the last Australia tour, 10 years ago. Sharon Millerchip plays murdering nightclub chorus girl Roxie Hart, Craig McLachlan plays smooth?talking lawyer Billy Flynn, and Colleen Hewett is the ‘keeper of the keys’ as Matron ‘Momma’ Morton. Damien Bermingham plays Roxie’s downtrodden husband Amos Hart, and newcomer D.C. Harlock plays tabloid columnist Mary Sunshine, together with a 17-person ensemble.
‘I’ve seen companies around the world show Chicago but there is an energy in this country – among its actors, singers, particularly its dancers – that you just don’t see overseas,’ Johnson Mortimer said.
‘This ensemble is an outstanding ensemble, with energy and life that jumps out and grabs you from across the stage. It is something about our climate that makes us jump out of our skins – it’s electrifying!’
Chicago tickets are available from $61 for seniors to $110 at Ticketek. Oklahoma! Tickets are available from $59.90 concession to $99.90 at BOCS Ticketing.
Aja Styles
