SHOWTIME with Andrew G

SHOWTIME: Your Name Means Dream with Caroline Lee & Lucy Ansell

🎭 Your Name Means Dream 🗓️ 31 Oct to 24 Nov (Previews 27-30 Oct) 📍 Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre, St Kilda🎟️ redstitch.net
Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre presents the Australian premiere of Your Name Means Dream, written by Oscar nominee and Obie Award-winning playwright José Rivera (The Motorcycle Diaries). Under the direction of multiple Green Room Award and Matilda Award nominee Kat Henry, this powerful two-hander opens on 26 October and will run through to 24 November.
Set in a near-future New York City, Your Name Means Dream tells the story of Aislin, an elderly woman struggling to navigate a world becoming increasingly alien to her. Her caregiver, Stacy, is perfectly toned, ageless and utterly in control. She’s also a robot. While Aislin suffers the inevitable indignities of being human, Stacy begins to question what it truly means to live and wonders what she’s missing out on.
The play brings to the forefront questions about humanity, technology, and the future of care. In a society where the line between human and machine is rapidly blurring, Rivera examines how we live, die, and form our sense of self.
Promising to deliver the powerful performances Red Stitch is known for, Your Name Means Dream features long-time ensemble member Caroline Lee alongside rising star Lucy Ansell who had her big theatre debut in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, before appearing on Australian screens in Force Of Nature: The Dry 2 and Binge Original Series Strife.
 
Caroline Lee Caroline is based in Melbourne, Australia, and has worked professionally as a theatre, television, film and voice actress for over thirty years. She has worked with the Malthouse, Sydney Theatre Company, Melbourne Theatre Company, Bell Shakespeare, Back to Back Theatre, Red Stitch Actors Theatre, Chamber Made Opera, MKA, Finucane and Smith, HeLD Productions, Hildegard, Playbox and La Mama, as well as developing a strong reputation for her work in one-woman shows. Caroline has received four Green Room Awards and an OAM for her work in the theatre.
Caroline has narrated over 150 audiobooks, including a number of best-selling titles, for example Big Little Lies and Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty, and The Shifting Fog and The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. She has received three AudioFile Earphones Awards, including Best Audiobook of the Year 2021 for Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty.
Film and television appearances include a supporting cast role in The Newsreader and The Newsreader 2, a main cast role in Bogan Pride, and roles in Miss Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries, The Dressmaker, Tangle, Winners and Losers, Satisfaction, Stingers, MDA, Halifax fp, Blue Heelers, Neighbours, Holidays on the River Yarra and Dogs in Space, as well as a number of smaller film projects with independent producers.
 
Lucy Ansell Lucy is an Afro-Caribbean, interdisciplinary artist working and living on unceded Wurundjeri land. She trained at the Victorian College of the Arts and graduated in 2018. Recently, she was in Robert Connolly’s The Dry 2: Force of Nature and Binge Original Series: Strife. She’s worked on many live productions across Naarm including Hour of the Wolf (dir. Matthew Sutton, Malthouse Theatre), Escaped Alone/What If If Only (dir. Anne-Louise Sarks, Melbourne Theatre Company) and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Melbourne (Michael Cassel Group). Other theatre credits include Wild Cherries (dir. Beng Oh), Patalog Theatre’s Tusk Tusk (dir. Ruby Rees) and She Is Vigilante (written by Chanella Macri and co-dir. by Krystalla Pearce and Bridget Balodis) which she later received a Green Room award for. In her own works, Lu likes to interrogate imagined constructs and explore the nexus between art and therapy particularly for historically marginalised folk.

SHOWTIME: MARVELous with Samwise Holmes

🎭 MARVELous
🗓️ Dates: 6 – 10 November 📍 National Theatre, 20 Carlisle St, St Kilda 🎟️ MarvelousTheShow.com.au
 
A cleverly created Marvel parody lands with spectacular delivery…the stunt work, athleticism, flying high wire stunts, and pole dancing are simply amazing.’ Stage Whispers With a rock-infused soundtrack, a breathtaking stage design, and a cast of exceptional acrobats, vocalists, dancers and high flying aerialists, MARVELous The Show is a dynamic blend of parody, hilarity and impressive live performances – all delivered with a satiric and risqué edge. Fresh from a rapturously received Sydney season, the production showcases well known and loved superheroes including Thor, Black Widow, Deadpool, Scarlet Witch, Spider-Man, Iron Man and more as they’ve never been seen before, in outrageous and unexpected subversions of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. MARVELous The Show is also packed with pop culture easter eggs and is heavily woven with references to beloved films like Dirty Dancing
 
Award-winning designer Dan Potra (Sweeney Todd at Southbank London, La Boheme on the Harbour for Opera Australia, The Barber Of Seville for Houston Grand Opera) has created an extraordinary stage design to complement the many wild skills on display, with lighting design by James Wallis (Hayes Theatre’s recent productions of City of Angels and Bonnie & Clyde) and choreography by Luka Lea-Vestic. MARVELous co-creator and director, Samwise Holmes says ‘MARVELous is a production we’ve been building for five years. We wanted to create a show that was unexpectedly spectacular, and I think we’ve achieved that. ‘We focused on creating a great show first and a Marvel parody second - it’s been an exciting ride just seeing where we could take it and how far we can push the boundaries of what people would expect. We are so proud of the show we’ve put together and can’t wait to share it with Melbourne
🎭 🎭 For What’s On Stage in Melbourne visit https://andrewg.com.au
 
Samwise HolmesAs the Director of Backflips Against Bullying, he has led a groundbreaking program that uses Parkour and stunts to engage students and promote a powerful anti-bullying message. Since the program’s launch in NSW in early 2019, its popularity soared, highlighting the demand from educators for creative ways to connect with students.
 
Despite the challenges of 2020, including the widespread disruptions in the entertainment industry, Backflips Against Bullying not only survived but expanded. By 2021, the program had grown to include teams in QLD and VIC, with six acrobatic teams operating across three states. He remains committed to growing the initiative and spreading its essential message in schools throughout Australia.

SHOWTIME: Sweet Charity with Di Morgan & Madeleine Magetti

🎭 Sweet Charity
📍Karralyka Theatre Ringwood
🗓️ 18 to 27 October
🎟️ mdms.org.au
 
Sweet Charity follows the romantic trials and tribulations of Charity Hope Valentine, “a girl who wanted to be loved.” Charity is a taxi dancer, a dance partner-for-hire at a seedy dance hall in New York City.
Though the job may be decidedly undesirable, Charity’s hopeful romanticism and unfailing optimism lift her out of her circumstances and help her reach for a life beyond. In the past, she’s been strung along and hung out to dry by a series of bad relationships and lousier men. When she meets Oscar, a neurotic, shy actuary seemingly from another world, will she finally find true love at last?
One of the most famous shows by legendary director/choreographer Bob Fosse and with a laugh-a-minute script by the incomparable Neil Simon, every audience is destined to fall in love with Charity’s limitless spirit, as she lives life “hopefully ever after.” This exuberant, groovy, hilarious musical comedy includes hits such as Big Spender, If My Friends Could See Me Now, I’m a Brass Band and Baby, Dream Your Dream.
🎭 🎭 For What’s On Stage in Melbourne visit https://andrewg.com.auDi Morgan Di has been performing for over forty years!  She has worked professionally in musicals, cabarets, theatre restaurants, rock video clips, television and a short movie.  She has played many lead roles with various companies including DustySpringfield in “Dusty”, Sally Bowles in “Cabaret”, Anita in “West Side Story”, Lola in “Damn Yankees (Guild nomination), Velma Kelly in “Chicago”, Anna in “The King And I”, Mavis in “Stepping Out”, Irene Molloy in “Hello Dolly”, Dorothy Brock in “42nd Street”, Sally in “Me and My Girl”,  Helene in “Sweet Charity”, Liza Minelli in “Totally Offbroadway”, Lina Lamont in “Singing in the Rain” – just to name a few!  
More recently, Di has stepped off the stage to work as a Choreographer with credits including All Shook Up (Guild nomination), Mamma Mia (Lyrebird nomination), Mary Poppins (Lyrebird nomination), Carousel (Lyrebird nomination), The Phantom of the Opera (Lyrebird nomination) Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The King And I (Lyrebird nomination) The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Footloose (Lyrebird Award), Hot Mikado, Stepping Out, The Boyfriend, The Sound of Music, South Pacific, The Drowsy Chaperone and Chess.   Di has choreographed musicals for Aquinas College – Grease, Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Shrek Jr, Mary Poppins Jr, and Beauty and the Beast Jr.  She has also directed and choreographed many primary school musicals.
 
Madeleine Magetti
Since the age of 3, Madeleine trained in ballet under Rosemary Frost at the Ringwood Ballet Group. She soon added jazz and tap, taking lead roles in ballets like Cinderella, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Pulcinella, while also competing across Melbourne. In high school, she began singing lessons, which she found very different from dance. Her love for musicals grew after performing a dance to All That Jazz, leading her to participate in school musicals at Aquinas College, despite a demanding dance schedule. Her first role, Belle in Beauty and the Beast, deepened her passion for theatre.
In her final year, Madeleine took on her first roles outside of school, playing Charlotte in Oliver and Meg Giry in The Phantom of the Opera. After high school, she earned a Bachelor of Performing Arts at Monash University, where she explored various theatre roles and performed in original musicals and cabarets.
She then pursued a Diploma of Musical Theatre at Kelly Aykers Full Time Dance, where she expanded her skills and studied new styles like Fosse. Madeleine performed as Velma Kelly in Chicago and Fastrada in Pippin, and upon graduating, joined Kelly Aykers' Company A for Broadway and Beyond, touring regional Victoria.
Career highlights include dancing professionally in La Traviata with Victorian Opera, The Pearl Fishers with Melbourne Opera, and Amazing Grace with Manilla Street Productions. In 2020, she paused performing due to the pandemic and studied psychology, her current day job. Earlier this year, she returned to the stage as Lois Lane in Kiss Me, Kate.
Previously, Madeleine performed with MDMS in their 2015 production of Funny Girl. Thrilled by the opportunity to audition for Sweet Charity, one of her favorite shows, she was overjoyed to be cast as Charity, a dream role, and is grateful to be working with such a talented team and cast.

SHOWTIME: Secret Girl Stuff with Mikaela Corrigan

🎭 Secret Girl Stuff (part of Melbourne Fringe Festival) 📍Irene Mitchell Studio - South Yarra 🗓️ 16 to 19 October 🎟️ melbournefringe.com.au Secret Girl Stuff' bears witness to girlhood reluctantly transforming into womanhood and leaves you with the urge to hug your twelve-year-old self and tell her, "You're going to regret wrapping toilet paper around your underwear, but I promise it's a rite of passage." After a sold-out debut at Sydney Fringe Festival (2023) and a highly acclaimed Sydney Season Debut (2024) Secret Girl Stuff takes you on a sightseeing tour of the female experience. Secret Girl Stuff’s heart swells from the hilarity that is the 1D hiatus, first sexual encounters and incestuous gay awakenings we are reminded to hold one another close and fight against the war on women’s reproductive rights and our firm place in this world.Through a whirlwind of laughter, tears and smiles, ‘Secret Girl Stuff’ holds your hand and says, "It’s okay, I’ve got you.” 🎭 🎭 For What’s On Stage in Melbourne visit https://andrewg.com.au Mikaela Corrigan (writer and director of ‘Secret Girl Stuff’) came up with the idea of ‘Secret Girl Stuff’ when she was with a group of friends who were discussing their teendom and how its shaped who they have become today. Amongst the group there was laughter and joy as they reminisced on where they were when One Direction broke up and how their first sexual encounters should definitely be used as a study on teenage hormones. Corrigan realised that although everyone’s stories were different, they were ultimately connected by the female experience of finding that when discussing situations that should be organic and natural to speak about, the women were awkward and embarrassed to even bring the conversation up. Corrigan wondered what makes being a woman so secretive - Is it because it should be or is it because we are told it has to be? Within months, ‘Secret Girl Stuff’ was put on stage at Sydney Fringe Festival in 2023 with a dynamite cast of 7 empowered, vigilant and diverse artists that are dedicated to speaking up for women’s rights.

SHOWTIME: Gypsy with Lizzie Matjacic and Mark Monroe

🎭 Gypsy 📍The Round, Nunawading 🗓️ 11 to 20 October 🎟️ babirra.org.au The jewel of Broadway's Golden Age, Gypsy boasts an incomparable score, a brilliantly conceived book, and one of the greatest leading roles ever to grace the Broadway stage. Regarded by many theatre professionals as the finest musical ever created, Gypsy is the ultimate tale of an ambitious stage mother fighting for her daughters' success - while secretly yearning for her own. Set all across America in the 1920s and 30s, when vaudeville was dying and burlesque was born, Arthur Laurents' landmark show explores the world of two-bit show business with brass, humor, heart, and sophistication. 🎭 🎭 For What’s On Stage in Melbourne visit https://andrewg.com.au Lizzie Matjacic Lizzie is excited and thrilled to take on the incredible role of Mama Rose in tonight’s performance, a role that has been on her wish list for a long time! Lizzie 's most recent stage roles include Ruth in Calendar Girls with Phoenix, Glory in Almost Maine with Eltham Little Theatre, and Dotty/Mrs. Clackett in Noises Off with Windmill Theatre Company. She was also delighted to play Donna in Mamma Mia with Babirra and Mae Tuck in Tuck Everlasting with Fab Nobs Theatre in 2022. Lizzie's favourite roles span a diverse range of productions over 30 years in theatre, including Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls and Mrs Potts in Beauty and the Beast (Windmill Theatre Company), Charlotte in A Little Night Music, Diana Goodman in Next to Normal, Drowsy in The Drowsy Chaperone, The Witch in Into the Woods (Fab Nobs Theatre), and Muzzy van Hossmere in Thorougly Modern Millie (Babirra). In addition to her extensive stage work, Lizzie has written and performed in two one-woman cabarets: Heartaches, Hang-Ups and Headcases: A Psychologist’s Cabaret and From Here to Maternity. She also co-wrote and performed in Broadway for Life, a concert fundraiser for the Cancer Council, which earned a Lyrebird award in 2016.
Mark Monroe Mark boasts nearly four decades of experience in performance, direction, and choreography, with a resume spanning theatre, film, television, music videos, and fashion shows. He sailed the world performing on AIDA das Clubschiff based in Germany, appearing in multilingual musicals and cabaret shows under esteemed mentors from the Hamburg School of Entertainment. In June, Mark portrayed Bernadette in Priscilla: Queen Of The Desert with Babirra, reprising this role from CentreStage Geelong last year. Other music theatre highlights include Henry Higgins - My Fair Lady, Billy Flynn - Chicago, and Thenardier - Les Miserables (NOVA), Caratacus Potts - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (CentreStage), Lord Farquaad - Shrek (WAT), Leo Bloom - The Producers (ACT) & Frank 'n Furter - Rocky Horror (EKC). He also directed and choreographed High School Musical, Hansel & Gretel, and Robin the Hood (ACT), earning a Music Theatre Guild of Victoria nomination for his choreography of Grease. Mark's achievements extend offstage, with appearances on Neighbours and Big Girls Blouse, as well as being crowned the 1989 Prince of Moomba.

SHOWTIME: Iphigenia In Splott with Jessica Clarke

🎭 Iphigenia In Splott 📍Red Stitch, St Kilda 🗓️ Must close 22 September 🎟️ https://www.redstitch.net/iphigenia-in-splott-2024 Iphigenia In Splott is a powerful new adaptation of the enduring Greek myth drives home the high price people pay for society's shortcomings. Bringing it back to the stage for those who missed it, this is a second chance to see the “visceral tour de force” (The Age) that is Jessica Clarke in her returning role and witness Melbourne theatre at its best. 🎭 🎭 For What’s On Stage in Melbourne visit https://andrewg.com.auJessica Clarke is an award winning Australian actress whose career spans stage, screen and voice work. Jessica has previously worked with Red Stitch on Iphigenia In Splott, Shhhh, Caught, The Cane, Pomona and Rules For Living. Other theatre credits include Macbeth (An Undoing) for Malthouse Theatre, Therese Raquin (Critical Stages/Dirty Pretty Theatre), Please Continue, Hamlet (Melbourne International Arts Festival), Good, Die Young (Sydney Fringe Festival), Starchaser (Arena Theatre Company), Waltzing The Wilarra (Yirra Yaakin), Heaven (La Mama) and more. Feature film credits include The Menkoff Method, The Moon And The Sun and 2:22. Television credits include The Beautiful Lie (ABC), Home And Away (Network7), Harrow (ABC), Neighbours (Network Ten), Offspring (Network Ten), Sisters (Network Ten), The Doctor Blake Mysteries (ABC), Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (ABC), Blue Heelers (Network 7) and more. Jessica won Most Outstanding Performance (Theatre Companies) for Iphigenia In Splott at the 2021 Green Room Awards, and was nominated for Best Ensemble for Pomona at the 2019 Green Room Awards.

SHOWTIME_ The Father with Damian Jones

🎭 The Father 📍Williamstown Little Theatre 🗓️ 4 to 21 September 🎟️ wlt.org.au Christopher Hampton’s translation of Florian Zeller’s masterpiece provides an intimate glimpse into the disorienting world of André, an elderly man grappling with dementia. Set in his Paris apartment, the play artfully blurs the lines between reality and confusion, inviting us to experience the world through André's eyes. The play is a powerful exploration of the impact of dementia on identity and relationships, taking a profound and sometimes disconcerting journey into the human mind's fragility. 🎭 🎭 For What’s On Stage in Melbourne visit https://andrewg.com.au
Damian Jones makes a welcome return to the WLT stage having last been seen as Leo Bailey in Mr Bailey’s Minder in 2018. An acting veteran with over 30 years experience, Damian’s recent roles include Max in Last Cab to Darwin (Sherbrooke), George in Life After George (Peridot) and Fire Chief in The Guys (1812 Theatre). In recent times Damian has focused more on directing, with recent productions at Malvern, Mordialloc, Peridot, Encore and Sherbrooke. However, the role of André was an irresistible challenge and we are delighted to see him back on the WLT stage.

SHOWTIME: A Chorus Line with Madeline Pratt

A Chorus Line is a stunning concept musical capturing the spirit and tension of a Broadway chorus audition. Exploring the inner lives and bittersweet ambitions of professional Broadway performers, the show features one powerhouse number after another. Memorable musical numbers include What I Did for Love, One, I Can Do That, At the Ballet, The Music and the Mirror, and I Hope I Get It. A brilliantly complex fusion of song, dance, and compellingly authentic drama. 🎭 A CHORUS LINE 📍National Theatre, St Kilda 🗓️ 7 to 22 September 🎟️ https://theatrical.com.au/tickets After years of extensive dance training, Madeline moved to Ballarat for her studies in Music Theatre at Federation University; graduating 2017 and recently studied at The New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts on a Music Theatre scholarship. Some credits include; Maureen - RENT, Heather Duke/Dance Captain - HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL, Val - A CHORUS LINE, Velma Kelly - CHICAGO, Marcy - DOGFIGHT, Warner Bro's THE MASKED SINGER and original Melbourne cast member of A VERY NAUGHTY CHRISTMAS. Madeline also works for companies such as Fresh Creative Entertainment and The Entertainment Store where she has performed shows at Carols By Candlelight, Aus Open and much more. She has choreographed numerous productions such as STRANGER SINGS, PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, WICKED and LEGALLY BLONDE as well as assisting workshops for the new Australian musical PAPER STARS with Salty Theatre's Hatch Lab. They have also created various new works including their physical theatre/dance production MOMENTS and their current roving burlesque comedy UNDRESS ME, I'M YOURS. 🎭 🎭 For What’s On Stage in Melbourne visit https://thetheatre.au

SHOWTIME: A Chorus Line with Julian Dods

A Chorus Line is a stunning concept musical capturing the spirit and tension of a Broadway chorus audition. Exploring the inner lives and bittersweet ambitions of professional Broadway performers, the show features one powerhouse number after another. Memorable musical numbers include What I Did for Love, One, I Can Do That, At the Ballet, The Music and the Mirror, and I Hope I Get It. A brilliantly complex fusion of song, dance, and compellingly authentic drama. 🎭 A CHORUS LINE 📍National Theatre, St Kilda 🗓️ 7 to 22 September 🎟️ https://theatrical.com.au/tickets Julian Dods began their musical journey with the National Boys Choir, where he honed his vocal skills and developed a deep passion for performing. Their training led them to perform with Opera Australia in notable productions such as La Boheme in 2011 and The Magic Flute in 2012. Julian continued their love of performance, participating in several Starbound performances with Launchpad Drama. Julian is thrilled to be working with Theatrical to help bring this incredible show to life. 🎭 🎭 For What’s On Stage in Melbourne visit https://andrewg.com.au

SHOWTIME: Little Women Anna Bearsley and Alan Burrows

🎭 LITTLE WOMEN THE MUSICAL 📍Malvern Theatre 🗓️ 23 August to 7 September 📍Lillydale Athenaeum Theatre 🗓️ 14 to 30 November 🎟️ malverntheatre.com.au & lilydaleatc.com LITTLE WOMEN Little Women has been praised by critics for its ambition in adapting such a well-known story for the stage. This timeless, captivating story is brought to life in this glorious musical filled with personal discovery, heartache, hope and everlasting love. The original production starred the unparalleled Sutton Foster, who received Tony, Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk nominations for her performance. Based on Louisa May Alcott's life, Little Women follows the adventures of sisters, Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March. Jo is trying to sell her stories for publication, but the publishers are not interested – her friend, Professor Bhaer, tells her that she has to do better and write more from herself. Begrudgingly taking this advice, Jo weaves the story of herself and her sisters and their experience growing up in Civil War America. 🎭 🎭 For What’s On Stage in Melbourne visit https://andrewg.com.au Anna Bearsley - Jo March Anna is thrilled to be making her debut at Malvern Theatre Company. Her previous roles include ‘Alice’ in Alice by Heart, ‘Heidi’ in Title of Show, ‘Julie’ in Così, ‘Janet’ in The Drowsy Chaperone and ‘Smee’ in Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure, which earned her a Music Theatre Guild of Victoria nomination. Alan Burrows - Director Alan has worked for over 50 years in all facets of theatre. This is his twelfth production with Malvern Theatre Company, his last show being A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder in 2022. A multiple award winner, Alan has received awards from the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria for 1776, the Victorian Drama League for Educating Rita, Noises Off and Bette and Joan and from the Lyrebird Awards for Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks.