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My
Theatrical Pursuits
Well, so far I have only been
involved in musical theatre. From 1981 to 1985 I was only
involved in school productions. 1986, when I was at TAFE, I
started in Peninsula Light Operatic Societies (PLOS, now
called PLOS Musical Productions) production of The King and
I. Then followed on with Oklahoma (playing Dream Curly) the
same year, then played Barnaby Tucker in Hello Dolly, and
then Oliver. In 1988, PLOS didn’t want me in their next
production (a revue) so I went and auditioned for Panorama
Youth Theatre’s (PYT) production of Irene, landing the
lead role of Donald Marshall. I returned to PLOS and started
being used more as a dancer for Guys and Dolls. After this
show, I decided that I should probably take dance classes,
and so Sweats (run by Sue Salvato) was it. I continued doing
both PLOS and PYT shows simultaneously until I turned 21 and
became too old for PYT onstage. Shortly afterwards, Rainbow
Theatre started up. These were Christmas pantomimes that were
put on in January to fill the void that only the occasional
visiting company would do. So, that was another show to add
for the year. In 1991, a dream came true... I was to play
Tony in West Side Story (a long coveted role) for Frankston
Theatre Group.
In 1992, I plucked up the
courage and auditioned for Whitehorse Musical Theatre’s (WMT) My One and Only. A huge success with the Victorian
Music Theatre Guild, it won 12 awards. I also returned to PYT
to co-choreograph their Song and Dance workshops. I later
returned to Whitehorse to do On the Town and Anything Goes
(both shows that I had really wanted to do). Again, I broke
away to another group, Dandenong Light Operatic Society (DLOC) when they were to stage
Mame. Although not auditioned,
I was invited early in the piece and landed some plum cameos,
most notably Gregor, the overtly camp hairdresser’s
assistant. That role was actually given to me on the second
night, as the original Gregor had busted his knee. No name in
the programme, no announcement before the show, but what a
hoot. I followed by doing their next show, The Merry Widow,
where I played Cascada. That role was actually a heap of fun
too.
By this stage, PLOS had
moved into the new Frankston Cultural Centre (and yes,
Frankston and Cultural can be put into the same sentence). I
joined them again for 42nd Street and then Me and
My Girl (where I got to play a variety of roles including Bob
and an ancestor). Between those two shows, I had
choreographed Godspell for People’s Playhouse.
Untraditionally done, we had a cast of 40 (instead of 10).
Now all I have left is to play Seymour in Little Shop of
Horrors, and my life will be complete. Anyone doing it
soon???
Other parts I desperately
want to play before I get too old are Che 'Evita' and Billy
'Anything Goes'.
Well that’s a brief
synopsis, you can see a full history later if you wish.
Throughout all the shows, I was involved in Amarda Dance
Theatre for several years where we performed for many
community functions, becoming a principal choreographer, and
even appearing on Ford New Faces once. I won’t say the
outcome, because we all think (including the crew) that the
judging of that show was, how do I put it delicately, F@#$%D!
I have also been chosen to
perform in many cabarets/fundraisers, most notably the
pre-opening (Cavalcade of Musical Theatre), the official
opening (performing in the spectacular Builders Ballet), and
one of the piano funds (A Time to Remember) for the Frankston
Cultural Centre. Again I have waffled on. And again, please
free to email me if you wish. But for now….
What
am I up to currently?
Happy
Families [closed] &
Melbourne
Gay & Lesbian Chorus [taking a break]
"So now I'm just
enjoying my new found freedom! And what a nice change to not have
those sort of commitments after sooo long." That was a
direct quote from my last update. But, as the Fickle Finger of
Fate would have it, I've been asked to direct for the Essendon
Theatre Company's current production of 'Happy Families'.
I have also been accepted
in the Melbourne Gay & Lesbian Chorus
('MGLC'). Anyone that knows me knows how much I
love singing and singing in parts at that. I have wanted to be
involved in a choir for some time now, and I'm absolutely loving
it. Unfortunately I missed out on one their biggest concerts; a
tour of Europe (Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Frieberg and Vienna)
including performing at the '98 Gay Games. Oh well, maybe next
time. In the meantime, I will be posting their concerts on the What's
On page. Enjoy!!! Once I get a
gay band up and running, I think I will be very happy.
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Tuesday, 12 February 2002
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