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ANNIE - Keanu Gonzalez & MacKenzie Dunn (Rooster // Lily)

ANNIE part 4: Keanu Gonzalez [Grease, West Side Story] stars as Rooster Hannigan and Mackenzie Dunn [Grease, Hairspray] stars as Lily St James for the new Australian production of ANNIE [Crossroads Live], now playing at the Sydney's Capitol Theatre before touring nationwide. Mackenzie is the grand-daughter of Jill Perryman and Kevan Johnston, Australia's first Miss Hannigan and Rooster Hannigan, hear more about growing up knowing about the show, and just off their success starring as Rizzo and Kenicki in Grease [Crossroads Live], I ask Keanu and Mackenzie about their successful duo-ship and character research for Rooster and Lilly in ANNIE. 
Watch performances:
~ 'Easy Street' in Annie
~ 'NYC' in Annie
~ Audience reactions watching Annie the musical
~ 'Grease Megamix' Mackenzie & Keanu in Grease 
~ Mackenzie & Keanu (Rizzo & Kenicki) Grease Interview

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ANNIE - Anthony Warlow (Oliver 'Daddy' Warbucks)

ANNIE part 3: Anthony Warlow [Chicago, Phantom Of The Opera] reprises his role as Oliver (Daddy) Warbucks for the new Australian production of ANNIE [Crossroads Live], now playing at the Capitol Theatre before touring nationwide. Hear Anthony discuss his history with the role and show, the exciting new technology and cast assembled and (as over the years named three of Anthony's albums our Album of the Month), I ask if the song, 'Why Would I Change A Thing' written by the original songwriters Charles Stouse and Martin Charnin especially for him in this role will be seen in this production. 
Watch performances:
~ 'NYC' in Annie
~ Audience reactions watching Annie the musical
~ Audience reactions with Sandy
~ 'All I Care About Is Love' Anthony Warlow in Chicago
~ 'Best of Act 1' Album of the month review
~ 'Jeykl & Hyde' Album of the month review
~ 'The Main Event' Album of the month review

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ANNIE - Amanda Lea Lavergne & Stephanie McNamara (Grace // Annie)

ANNIE part 2: Amanda Lea Lavergne [Jekyll & Hyde, Radio City Christmas Spectacular] stars as Grace and Stephanie McNamara makes her professional musical debut starring as (one of the four) ANNIE [Crossroads Live]. The new Australian production of ANNIE is playing at the Capitol Theatre before touring cities, hear more about stepping in the leading role, homework and Amanda bringing her extensive Broadway skills to the Australian stage. 
Watch performances:
~ 'Hard Knock Life' in Annie
~ 'NYC' in Annie
~ Audience reactions with Sandy
~ Audience reactions with watching Annie

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Annie - Debora Krizak & Greg Page (Miss Hannigan // President Roosevelt)

ANNIE part 1: Debora Krizak [Sweet Charity, A Chorus Line] stars as Miss Hannigan and original Yellow Wiggle Greg Page stars as President Franklin Roosevelt. Debora was one of my first Podcast guests and Greg makes his professional musical debut, very exciting. Hear more about the new Australian production of ANNIE [Crossroads Live], now playing at the Capitol Theatre before touring, the exciting cast assembled and bringing the Wiggle magic to the world of ANNIE. 
Watch performances:
~ 'Easy Street' in Annie
~ 'Hard Knock Life' in Annie
~ Audience reactions watching Annie the musical
~ Audience reactions with Sandy
~ Greg on the Wiggles
~ Debora performing 'Big Spender' at Sydney Cabaret

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Samantha Jade - Singer Songwriter

On the opening night of Peter and the Starcatcher at the Capitol Theatre Sydney. ARIA winning singer-songstress Samantha Jade , Australia's first female XFactor winner, reveals exciting Sydney Mardi Gras concert plans for 2025 - and in other thrilling news, I may have also given a song(s) suggestion.. So cool if it happens! I was thrilled to catch up again.

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Olivia Vasques (In The Heights) - Peter and the Starcatcher opening night

On the opening night of Peter and the Starcatcher at the Capitol Theatre Sydney. Olivia Vasques (In The Heights, Moulin Rouge) reveals exciting filming plans with a new television series (yet to be announced) set to debut on Stan Australia in 2025, I was thrilled to catch up and hear about this and her career. 

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Hannah Waterman & Michael Cormick (Mary Poppins & Beauty and the Beast)

On the opening night of Peter and the Starcatcher at the Capitol Theatre Sydney. Michael Cormick (Centrestage, La Cage Aux Follies) starred in the original production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast [Disney], Hannah Waterman (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, EastEnders) recently starred as Mrs Brill in Disney’s Mary Poppins [Michael Cassel]. I was thrilled to talk to them about the responsibility of taking on roles that many of us have seen from screen to stage, being in a Disney production, plus more!

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Damon Herriman - BETTER MAN film (Nigel Martin-Smith)

On the red carpet for Peter And The Starcatcher at the Capitol Theatre Sydney - Damon Herriman (Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, Judy & Punch) stars as Nigel Martin-Smith, the band manager of 'Take That' in the Robbie Williams biographical musical film, BETTER MAN (Paramount Pictures). Directed by Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman, P!nk: What I Know So Far), filmed in Victoria and the UK, Damon is nominated for an AACTA award. I absolutely love BETTER MAN and was thrilled to speak to Damon about his role, the film, Robbie Williams, as well as upcoming projects!

Watch:
~ Better Man (2024) official trailer
~ Rock DJ  musical scene

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Andrè de Vanny (Valene Connor) The Lonesome West - Sydney Theatre Awards

From the 2024 Sydney Theatre Awards. Andrè de Vanny (War Horse, Swansong, Wicked Science) was awarded, ‘Best Performance In A Leading Role In An Independent Production’, starring as Valene Connor in Martin McDonagh’s play,  The Lonesome West [Empress Theatre] at the Old Fitz Theatre. I was thrilled to catch up with him afterwards to talk about the show in depth and its challenges, as well as discussing his exciting plans moving to New York later in the year!

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Laura Murphy (book, music, lyrics) ZOMBIE! the musical - Sydney Theatre Awards

From the 2025 Sydney Theatre Awards. Laura Murphy (Zombie!, The Lovers) penned the book, music and lyrics to ZOMBIE! the musical which garnered three awards tonight- Best Choreography (Chiara Assetta), Best Direction (Darren Yap) and Best Musical. Following on from previous interviews, including at last year’s awards, I was thrilled to catch up with Laura. As I wrote in my review I would love to see the Zombie! musical developed into a film, will there be a cast recording? will this new Australian musical tour? Let's find out more!

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Ryan Gonzalez (Peter and the Starcatcher/ Phar Lap) - Sydney Theatre Awards

From the 2024 Sydney Theatre Awards. Ryan Gonzalez (Moulin Rouge, In The Heights) performed ‘Ride You’, from a new Australian production: Phar Lap the Electro-swing musical (book, music and lyrics by Steven Kramer), which will have its premiere at the Hayes Theatre in 2025. Ryan currently stars in the Australian production of Peter And The Starcatcher that is touring Australia, opening at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre from February 2025. I was thrilled to catch up afterwards to chat about characters (Santiago, Usnavi) and career, including his own cabaret show (Hispanic Attack, about Ricky Martin’s arch nemesis "Ryan Gonzalez"), with a sneak peak of song ‘Ride You’ that Ryan performed on the night!

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Darren Yap (Director) ZOMBIE! the musical - Sydney Theatre Awards

From the 2024 Sydney Theatre Awards. Darren Yap was awarded ‘Best Director’ for ZOMBIE! The Musical [Hayes Theatre]. I was thrilled to talk with him afterwards to find out more about his approach in bringing this new Australian musical from the ‘page to the stage’ for the first time. Also, as I had put in my review, his approach and hurdles in directing a predominately ‘chase and pace’ musical on a static stage. 

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Karla Grant - Presenter, Producer & Journalist

From the 2024 Sydney Theatre Awards. Karla Grant, a proud Arrernte woman, is Presenter, Producer and Journalist of NITV current affairs program Living Black, which this year will celebrate its 22nd year on air. I was thrilled to catch up with Karla after the awards for a quick chat to celebrate the First Nations productions that were nominated and had won awards and our indigenous culture within the arts. 

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Jesus Christ Superstar - original 1972 audience conversation

In 1972, the Australian premiere production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s, Jesus Christ Superstar opened at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney. In 1992 there was an Australian arena spectacular and a theatrical revival in 1994. London's award winning Regent's Park Open Air Theatre production garnered the Olivier award for 'Best Musical Revival' and in 2024, 52 years since the musical’s first Australian premiere, this new production of Jesus Christ Superstar [Crossroads Live Australia] has returned to play in the same theatre- Sydney’s Capitol Theatre, before going on to tour Australia. The night before opening I saw the show and met Judy and Guy by chance in the foyer. Both had seen the original 1972 and the 1994 productions. I was so thrilled to have a chat to them about this global phenomenon musical, its appeal and historical significance to Australian music and theatre. Enjoy! 

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Jesus Christ Superstar - Peter Murphy (Pontius Pilate)

Jesus Christ Superstar (Crossroads Live Australia)- Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's rock musical has returned to tour Australia in a new UK production that won an Olivier award for 'Best Musical Revival'. Now playing at the Capitol Theatre Sydney where it first premiered in 1972, I was thrilled to speak to Peter Murphy (actor, musician, producer) who stars as Pontius Pilate (Sydney & Perth seasons). Hear more about this musical (Crossroads Live Australia), his connection to the material and the new cast/ tour.
Watch Performances:
~ Filmed interview with Peter Murphy
~ 'Heaven's On Their Minds / What's The Buzz'
~ 'Everything's Alright'
~ 'Hosanna'
Follow:
Peter Murphy
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