Let Me Entertain You

Your guide to 2023 Musicals & more

2023 is looking to be another exciting year! Following on from the previous episode, this is your in-depth guide of what is happening - A calendar list per month of Australian premieres; new productions; beloved musicals celebrating anniversaries; new Australian musicals and closing tours. Musicals and more! As up to date as possible at time of recording, what not to miss!
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season 6 return! and a quick summary of 2023 musicals

Grateful to be back again in 2023. Hear a little summary of the Australian premieres, beloved musicals celebrating anniversaries and new Australian musicals launching. A huge thank you to all the Guests who have given their time to be interviewed and to You, the listeners for your support. Your messages are so wonderful to receive. From Me (and team), As always - Thanks for listening! E :)
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Cinderella - Luke Joslin (Resident Director)

Luke Joslin is Resident Director of Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella, which has landed at the Sydney Lyric Theatre, the final leg of the national tour. Luke is a Greenroom and Helpmann Award winning actor (Avenue Q) and has successfully made the transition from actor to behind the stage, recently earning a Helpmann nomination as Director (In The Heights). Luke's last role was playing a villain in a pantomime (I covered in 2019). Hear more about his career, why this beloved adaption of Cinderella is different and has Sydney audiences loving the onstage magic.
Tickets: https://cinderellamusical.com.au/
Watch Performances
~ 'A Lovely Night' from Cinderella
~ 'Impossible/It's Possible' from Cinderella
~ Opening Night Sydney curtain call
~ 'Freak Flag' from 'Shrek', Resident Director (discussed in Podcast)
~ Luke Joslin last onstage performance (discussed in Podcast)
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Luke Joslin
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WICKED announcement - John Frost, Lucy Durack, Rob Mills, Ben Franklin MP

WICKED is returning to Sydney in 2023! Good news fellow Ozians, a new production is heading exclusively to the Sydney Lyric Theatre in August 2023. Join the excitement and hear the official announcement by the Hon. Ben Franklin, NSW Minister for Tourism and the Arts (who pulled back a curtain for the reveal, the room glowed ‘Wicked’ green and the room erupted in applause), Producer John Frost [for Crossroads Live] and two original Australian WICKED stars, Lucy Durack (Glinda) and Rob Mills (Fiyero), reminiscing their time with the musical. Grab your brooms and bubbles and get set to return to the Emerald City!
Waitlist for tickets: wickedthemusical.com.au [Crossroads Live]
Watch
~ WICKED Sydney announcement (in full)
~ WICKED ambassadors, original Australian casts, Lucy Durack (Glinda) and Rob Mills (Fiyero) (short cut)
~ Behind the scenes (TT) at the Sydney WICKED launch
~ Lucy dressed as Glinda for her audition
~ Rob booking Fiyero and his favourite date
~ last Sydney performance of WICKED was a rock concert
~ Original cast react to new WICKED trailer Lucy Durack (Glinda), Rob Mills (Fiyero)
~ Short day (TT) in the Emerald City Sydney WICKED launch
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Lucy Durack
Rob Mills
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Mary Poppins - Chelsea Plumley (Miss Andrew)

Chelsea Plumley stars as Miss Andrew, the evil Nanny brought into the Banks household, in Disney's Mary Poppins the musical. Chelsea talks in detail about her craft and unpacks her acting process into bringing this character to life onstage. Chelsea is a five-time Greenroom Award nominee and has an extensive career across stage and TV, we also talk about her previous role in Muriel’s Wedding the musical. This is a great interview for any Mary Poppins fan, Chelsea also references the books by PL Travers, her song (by Stiles and Drewe), plus more!
Tickets: marypoppinsmusical.com.au [Michael Cassel Group]
Watch performances
~ Sydney opening night curtain call/ Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious reprise
~ Queen of the fairies song from William and Sparkles Magical Tales
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Chelsea Plumley
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Mary Poppins - Gareth Isaac (Robertson Ay)

Gareth Isaac makes his professional debut as Robertson Ay in Disney’s and Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Mary Poppins the musical [Michael Cassel], currently playing at the Sydney Lyric Theatre, ahead of its Australian tour. I was thrilled to speak to Gareth about making his professional debut and the magic behind the musical. Enjoy!
Tickets: marypoppinsmusical.com.au [Michael Cassel Group]
Watch performances
~ Sydney opening night curtain call/ Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious reprise
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Gareth Isaac
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PL Travers, Mary Poppins Birthplace Statue - Paul McShane

With the Mary Poppins musical opening in Sydney, I travelled to Bowral NSW. Over a hundred years ago, the author PL Travers OBE (birthname, Helen Lyndon Goff) lived with her mother and two young sisters, after the death of their father. Extensive research has uncovered Bowral as the birthplace of the character 'Mary Poppins', providing a lot of inspiration for her books. I speak to local historian Paul McShane, who along with his daughter campaigned to have the 'Mary Poppins birthplace statue' made, that twice a year magically turns so Mary can catch the East wind. We speak in front of the statue (see it turn) and visit her home. Find out more about the connections with fellow Bowral resident, cricketer Sir Donald Bradman and check our youtube and social pages for more videos and content that can't be missed.
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An American In Paris - Jackson Skandrett, System Sound (Sound Design)

The sound design for An American In Paris, the musical [GWB Entertaintment] is an all-Australian creation by Kelvin Gedye (System Sound). There are so many sound challenges to this musical production, as the performers sing, dance, act, dance, tap dance and perform ballet all on a sprung floor. I was thrilled to speak to Sound Technician Jackson Skandrett, assistant to Kelvin, to find out more about this stunning musical production.
Tickets: https://americaninparis.com.au
Watch performances
~ 'Stairway To Paradise'
~ Opening Night curtain call, Theatre Royal Sydney
~ Filmed podcast (with performances) Robbie Fairchild (Jerry), Leanne Cope (Lise), Cameron Holmes (Jerry alternate)
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System Sound
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An American In Paris - Robbie Fairchild (Jerry), Leanne Cope (Lise), Cameron Holmes (Jerry alternate)

Based on the beloved 1951 movie, directed by Vincent Minelli, starring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron - ‘An American In Paris’ has been adapted into an award-winning stage musical, with the songbook of Ira and George Gershwin. Ahead of their Sydney debut at The Theatre Royal, I was thrilled to speak to three stars, including two original cast members - Robbie Fairchild (Jerry Mulligan) from New York and Leanne Copes (Lise) from London, with Sydney's Cameron Holmes (Jerry Mulligan, alternate). This is a glorious interview and so much fun. Filmed podcast with performance available to be streamed.
Tickets: https://americaninparis.com.au

Watch performances
~ 'Stairway To Paradise'
~ Opening Night curtain call, Theatre Royal Sydney
~ Filmed podcast (with performances) Robbie Fairchild (Jerry), Leanne Cope (Lise), Cameron Holmes (Jerry alternate)

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Robbie Fairchild
Leanne Cope
Cameron Holmes
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9 To 5 The Musical - Suzanne Jones (Producer)

Producer Suzanne Jones is so inspiring as a woman and leader in her field. I was thrilled to speak to her ahead of International Women’s Day and the Australian premiere of 9 To 5 The Musical at the Capitol Theatre Sydney. The musical is based on the 1980 movie of the same name, we talk about the 42 year legacy which the film honors, all things Dolly Parton (who wrote all the music and lyrics), as well as the show's creatives and cast who have endured through the pandemic.
Tickets: 9to5themusical.com.au
Watch performances
~ '9 To 5' opening number
~ 'Heart To Hart' (Caroline O'Connor)
~ 'Change It' (Marina Prior, Casey Donovan, Erin Clare)
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Suzanne Jones
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Tony Sheldon - Lifetime Achievement Award, Sydney Theatre Awards

Tony Sheldon (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Priscilla Queen of the Desert) was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at The Sydney Theatre Awards, the first live awards hosted in two years since the pandemic. I was so thrilled to talk to an idol of mine. Tony was surprised on the night with the award and an accompanying performance by his peers was dedicated to him. I was thrilled to speak to Tony after the show, about his life’s work, mother Tony Lamond and his proudest contribution to musical theatre, creating the character and performing 2000 performances as Bernadette in Priscilla Queen Of The Desert.
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Tony Sheldon
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The Wedding Singer - Christian Charisiou (Robbie), Teagan Wouters (Julia)

Thrilled to speak to Christian Charisiou (Robbie Hart) and Teagan Wouters (Julia Sullivan) in the Australian premiere of The Wedding Singer the musical, ahead of their Sydney debut at the State Theatre. We discuss the original film starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore and the challenges of touring in post-covid times (the musical's Sydney opening has been paused three times).  Good news, the musical will return to Melbourne for an encore season and hopefully make it to Perth and touring New Zealand once borders open up, as previously planned.
Tickets: Theweddingsingermusical.com.au
Watch performances:
~ 'It's Your Wedding Day'
~ 'Saturday Night In The City'
~ Sydney curtain call
~ Filmed podcast with Christian Charisiou (Robbie), Teagan Wouters (Julia)
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Christian Charisiou
Teagan Wouters
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Come From Away - Bonnie Harris (the real Bonnie)

Meet the real Bonnie! Bonnie Harris is the Manager of the Gander Animal Hospital, SPCA. There were more than just 7000 passengers who were diverted to land in Gander, Newfoundland, Canada, on September 11, 2001 - there were 19 animals, as seen in the musical, Come From Away. You will love this interview, how found the animals and how the musical is giving back to the musical.

This is part 3 of 3 of the Special Come From Away podcast. For the Australian premiere in Melbourne, the real people who inspired the musical was flown in for opening night. I was honoured to meet them all and I would be forever changed. *reposted from June 2019, updated
Tickets: https://comefromaway.com.au

Watch performances
~ 'Welcome To The Rock'
~ 'Me And The Sky'
~ 20 October 2021- Come From Away reopens Sydney post-pandemic

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Come From Away - Tom McKeon (the real Bob)

Meet the real Bob! Tom McKeon from New York was travelling home on September 11, 2001, when his flight was diverted to Gander, Newfoundland, Canada. Tom was one of the 'plane people' and his story inspired the character 'Bob' in the musical, Come From Away. You will love this story and Tom's gratitude to the people of Newfoundland.

This is part 2 of 3 of the Special Come From Away podcast. For the Australian premiere in Melbourne, the real people who inspired the musical was flown in for opening night. I was honoured to meet them all and I would be forever changed. *reposted from June 2019, updated for Sydney premiere 
Tickets: https://comefromaway.com.au

Watch performances
~ 'Welcome To The Rock'
~ 'Me And The Sky'
~ 20 October 2021- Come From Away reopens Sydney post-pandemic

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Come From Away - Beulah Cooper (the real Beulah)

Meet the real Beulah!! Beulah Cooper inspired the character 'Beulah Davis' in the musical, Come From Away (it's a composite character along with fellow Newfoundlander Diane Davis). Beulah was the Treasurer and Provincial President of the Ladies Auxiliary, for the Royal Canadian Legion on September 11, 2001, when 38 planes carrying 7000 passengers were diverted to land in Gander, Newfoundland Canada. You will love this interview and Beulah.

This is part 1 of 3 of the Special Come From Away podcast. For the Australian premiere in Melbourne, the real people who inspired the musical was flown in for opening night. I was honoured to meet them all and I would be forever changed. *reposted from June 2019, updated
Tickets: https://comefromaway.com.au

Watch performances
~ 'Welcome To The Rock'
~ 'Me And The Sky'
~ 20 October 2021- Come From Away reopens Sydney post-pandemic

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