Let Me Entertain You

Katrina Retallick (Rona) - the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Katrina Retallick (Come From Away, Anyone Can Whistle) stars as Rona Lisa Peretti in 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' at the Hayes Theatre. I was able to talk to Katrina about her career, also this particular character, which is has been changed for Australian audiences in this new production and its impact.
Tickets: Hayestheatre.com.au
Watch performances:
~ Opening night curtain call
Follow:
Katrina Retallick
Let Me Entertain You- Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube

Dash Kruck (Director) - 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

At the opening night of The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee at the Hayes Theatre Sydney, I spoke to Director (and actor) Dash Kruck after the show. Hear more about his vision for the musical that includes parallels to the Australian schooling system; symbolism of the character Rona (played by Katrina Retallick) and other theatrical devices to make this version of the beloved musical different for audiences. We also discuss his career and other works.
Tickets: Hayestheatre.com.au
Watch performances:
~ Opening night curtain call
Follow:
Dash Kruck
Let Me Entertain You- Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube

Courtney Monsma, Sheridan Adams (Glinda & Elphaba) - Wicked

Thillified and very grateful to follow WICKED's [Crossroads Live] return to Sydney!! From the 2022 surprise announcement; 2023 cast announcement of Courtney Monsma as Glinda and Sheridan Adams as Elphaba earlier in the year- and now, once again I see Courtney and Sheridan make their debut onstage at the Sydney Lyric Theatre- in Costume!!! I couldn't be prouder of these two lovely ladies. It's a quick chat, enjoy!
Tickets: wickedthemusical/Sydney.com
~ 'Popular', Courtney Monsma, Sheridan Adams
~ 'One Short Day', Sheridan Adams, Courtney Monsma and ensemble
~ 'Opening night, Sydney Lyric Theatre
~ WICKED medley, Sheridan Adams, Courtney Monsma cast announcement
~ Short day (TT) WICKED launch, Sydney 2022
Follow:
Sheridan Adams
Courtney Monsma
Let Me Entertain You- Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube

Adam Murphy (Doctor Dillamond) - Wicked

Adam Murphy (The Mousetrap, Fun Home) stars as Doctor Dillamond in 'Wicked'. The musical returns to Sydney, to help celebrate the 20th anniversary of the musical debuting on Broadway. Hear more about Adam's character research, his joy of sharing the moment with his children and more!
Tickets: https://wickedthemusical.com.au
~ 'Popular' Wicked Sydney cast
~ 'Defying Gravity' Sheridan Adams (Elphaba)
~ Opening night curtain call, Sydney Lyric Theatre
Follow:
Adam Murphy
Let Me Entertain You- Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube

Ben Hall (Sam Phillips & Frank Sinatra) - Elvis, a musical revolution

Ben Hall (Neighbours, tv.Love Child) makes his stage return starring as Sam Phillips and Frank Sinatra in the Australian premiere of Elvis; a musical revolution [David Venn Productions]. This is the only musical about Elvis Presley's life authorised by Elvis Presley Enterprises. Hear more about Ben's deep research into the real people and stories in this musical and the magic of the King of RocknRoll.
Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com.au/elvis
Watch performances:
~ Elvis, a musical revolution sneak peak
~ 'Heartbreak Hotel' Australian cast
~ 'Blue Suede Shoes' Australian cast
~ watch video full video interview
Follow:
Ben Hall
Let Me Entertain You- Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube

Antoinette Halloran (Mrs Lovett) - Sweeney Todd

Antoinette Halloran (Wagner's The Ring Cycle, Madam Butterfly) stars as Mrs Lovett in the Victorian Opera's production of Stephen Sondheim's 'Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street'. Currently on tour, playing at the Sydney Opera House. Antoinette's been playing Mrs Lovett for 9 years, so this is a special short sit-down. The video podcast has Antoinette in costume.
Tickets: Sydney Opera House 
Watch performances:
~ First look at rehearsals
~ Sweeney Todd (Sweeney) with cast
~ 'My Friends' Sweeney Todd
~  'God that's good' Sweeney Todd
~ opening night curtain call, Sydney Opera House
~ watch full video interview (with performances)
Follow:
Antoinette Halloran
Let Me Entertain You - Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube

Ashleigh Rubenach (Johanna) - Sweeney Todd

Ashley Rubenach (An American in Paris, Cry Baby) stars as Johanna in the Sydney season Stephen Sondheim's musical thriller, 'Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street' [Victorian Opera]. Ashleigh returns to the character that was her first lead role in a musical back in high school. Hear more about how her professional career and how its shaped her new approach to the character and the musical.
Tickets: Sydney Opera House 
Watch performances:
~ First look at rehearsals
~ Sweeney Todd (Sweeney) with cast
~ 'My Friends' Sweeney Todd
~ 'God that's good' Sweeney Todd
~  'An American In Paris' (starring as Milo) curtain call
~ Opening night curtain call Sweeney Todd, Sydney Opera House
~ watch full video interview (with performances)
Follow:
Ashleigh Rubenach
Let Me Entertain You- Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube

Ben Mingay (Sweeney Todd) - Sweeney Todd

Ben Mingay (Shrek, Carousel, An Officer and a Gentleman) stars in the title role of Sweeney Todd in Stephen Sondheim's musical thriller, 'Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street', a co-production with Victorian Opera and New Zealand Opera. The production will finish the final leg it's five year extensive NZ/AUS tour at the Sydney Opera House. Ben also stars as Jim in the popular ABC television show 'Frayed' and as a fan of the show, I had to ask about a season 3 return. Hear more about Ben's Sweeney backstory, magic of a Sondheim score and more about this fan favourite musical.
Tickets: Sydney Opera House 
Watch performances:
~ First look at rehearsals
~ Sweeney Todd (Sweeney) with cast
~ 'My Friends' (as Sweeney) with Antoinette Halloran (Mrs Lovett)
~ 'God, that's good', Sweeney Todd
~ Opening Night curtain call, Sweeney Todd, Sydney Opera House
~ 'This Is Our Story' Ben Mingay (as Shrek) and cast
~ 'Frayed' television series (ABC iview)
~ watch full video interview (with performances)
Follow:
Ben Mingay
Let Me Entertain You- Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube

Tania de Jong - Driftwood the musical (Slava)

'Driftwood the musical' is a new Australian work, based on the award-winning memoir of the same name by Eva de Jong-Duldig. I was thrilled to speak to Tania de Jong (Eva's daughter) who also stars in the production, portraying her own grandmother Slava Horowitz-Duldig. 'Driftwood' is an epic saga of a family escaping Europe in WW2, told across three generations; through history; art, sport and the invention of the foldable umbrella
Follow:
Tania DeJong
Let Me Entertain You- Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube

Tina Turner fans mourn at the Theatre Royal Sydney

News of the passing of the great Queen of RocknRoll Tina Turner, has come as a shock to many of us. The Australian premiere of 'Tina, the Tina Turner musical' is currently playing at the Theatre Royal in Sydney- the musical officially had its opening night last week. I was overcome with sadness. A day after the news, I purchased my second ticket to see the show again and in the foyer met fans mourning and reflecting on her talent.
Tickets: https://www.tinathemusical.com.au/
Watch performances:
~ 'Nutbush City Limits' Ruva Ngwenya (Tina), Theatre Royal Sydney
~ watch fans gather to mourn at the Theatre Royal Sydney
Follow:
Let Me Entertain You- Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube

Matt Verevis - Tina, The Tina Turner musical (Roger Davies)

Tina Turner is so beloved by Australians- for over 30 years her hit 'Simply The Best' has been the voice of Rugby League and what many don't know is Tina's Manager Roger Davies is Australian. Matt Verevis (singer, actor, songwriter) and Helpmann Awarded Best Supporting Actor (Beautiful, the Carol King musical) stars as Roger Davies in the Australian premiere production. We discuss Tina's legacy, playing a homegrown music industry trailblazer and more about this exciting new musical!
Tickets: https://www.tinathemusical.com.au/
Watch performances:
~ 'First Look At Rehearsals'
~ 'Proud Mary' in rehearsals Ruva Ngwenya (Tina)
~ 'Shake A Tail Feather' in rehearsals
~ 'Rocket 88' in rehearsals Tim Omaji (Ike)
~ 'She Made My Blood Run Cold' in rehearsals Tim Omaji (Ike), Ruva Ngwenya (Tina)
~ Media call, sneak peak at performances, Theatre Royal Sydney
~ 'Nutbush City Limits' Ruva Ngwenya (Tina), Theatre Royal Sydney
~ Watch interview with cast performances and other Tina Turner clips
Follow:
Matt Verevis
Let Me Entertain You- Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube

 

Courtney Monsma & Sheridan Adams - WICKED (Glinda & Elphaba)

Meet the new Glinda and Elphaba!! Courtney Monsma (Glinda) and Sheridan Adams (Elphaba)!! WICKED is returning to Sydney to help celebrate the musical's 20th anniversary on Broadway. Find out more about the Emerald city's newest leading ladies' love of WICKED, their auditions and when they first saw the musical.
Tickets: https://www.wickedthemusical/Sydney.com
Watch performances:
~ WICKED medley, Sydney announcement. Sheridan Adams (Elphaba) and Courtney Monsma (Glinda)
~ Courtney Monsma podcast on starring in SIX, Frozen
~ Sheridan Adams, podcast on starring in Tick Tick BOOM
~ Courtney Monsma starring as Katherine Howard SIX musical
~ Sheridan Adams curtain call for Tick Tick BOOM
Follow:
Sheridan Adams
Courtney Monsma
Let Me Entertain You- Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube

Blake Erickson - Tina, The Tina Turner musical (John Carpenter/Martyn Ware)

Actor, Singer and Writer, Blake Erickson stars as John Carpenter and Martyn Ware in the Australian premiere production of Tina, The Tina Turner Musical, set to debut in May at the Theatre Royal Sydney. Blake received the Sydney Fringe Festival 'Best Actor' award for his one-man show (Pearls Before Swine) and is co-writer of the new Australian musical, The Dismissal: An Extremely Serious Musical Comedy, which will have its world premiere at the Seymour Centre Sydney in August. It is an exciting year for Blake, find out more from the rehearsal room of 'Tina, The Tina Turner Musical'.
Tickets: https://www.tinathemusical.com.au/
Watch performances
~ Learn about Tina musical songs performed in rehearsals, introduced by Blake Erickson
~ 'Proud Mary' in rehearsals, Ruva Ngwenya (Tina Turner)
~ 'Rocket 88' in rehearsals, Tim Omaji (Ike)
~ 'She Made My Blood Run Cold' in rehearsals, Tim Omaji (Ike), Ruva Ngwenya (Tina)
~ 'What You Get Is What You See' Tina Turner (1989), Tina Turner's first commercial for Rugby League
~ 'Simply The Best' Tina Turner (1990) Rugby League commercials
Follow:
Blake Erickson
Let Me Entertain You- Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube

 

Trevor Ashley - (Pharaoh) Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Writer, director, producer and Helpmann nominated actor Trevor Ashley, stars as The Pharoah in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. It's been 30 years since Sydney has seen a professional production of Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical. Hear more from Trevor as he recalls the West End and Sydney productions that made him fall in love with the musical, his Pharaoh's song and more about this new production, that many haven't seen before.
Tickets: https://josephthemusical.com.au/
Watch performances
~ 'Song Of The King' Trevor Ashley (The Pharaoh)
~ 'The Prologue' Paulini (The Narrator), Euan Fistrovic Doidge (Joseph) and young adult cast
~ 'Go Go Joseph', Euan Fistrovic Doidge (Joseph), Paulini (The Narrator) and full cast
~ 'Joseph Remix/Finale', Opening Night, Capitol Theatre Sydney
Follow:
Trevor Ashley
Let Me Entertain You- Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube

Laura Murphy - The Lovers, The Dismissal (Sydney Theatre Awards)

From the 2022 Sydney Theatre Awards, I speak to Laura Murphy (actor, singer, writer, lyricist and composer). She wrote the book, lyrics, music to her debut musical The Lovers [Bell Shakespeare] which was nominated for two awards. In August this year (2023), Laura will debut another new musical, The Dismissal: An Extremely Serious Musical Comedy [Squabalogic], penning the lyrics and music. This is so exciting. We chat about her career, writing process and more learn more about her musicals. Including, the special performance of 'Crash Through or Crash' from The Dismissal musical, performed tonight at the awards.
Tickets: https://www.thedismissal.com
Watch performances
~ 'I'm A Fairy' Laura Murphy starring as Sparkles The Fairy, from 'William and Sparkles Magical Tales' television show
~ About the Dismissal musical and Gough Whitlam's legacy filmed podcast
~ 'Crash Through Or Crash' introduced by Laura Murphy (music/lyrics) from the Sydney Theatre Awards
~ 'Crash Through Or Crash' (full performance), from 'The Dismissal' musical, performed by Brittanie Shipway at the Sydney Theatre Awards
~ 'The Lovers' musical
Follow:
Laura Murphy
Let Me Entertain You- Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube