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Gene Weygandt (Mayor Claude & Others) - Come From Away

Gene Weygandt stars as Mayor Claude Elliott (& Others) in the Australian production of Come From Away. The Sydney debut of the musical was paused last year due to the pandemic and has finally opened at the Capitol Theatre. I was thrilled to speak to Gene about the important message in the musical, coming to Australia to undertake this role, as well as his trips to Newfoundland and more. Note: This interview was recorded at the media call. The musical would open for two weeks of performances, before Sydney would be plunged into another covid lockdown. The production was paused for 118 days before the musical returned to the stage again.
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
~ Filmed Podcast with Gene Weygandt (Mayor Claude)
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Gene Weygandt
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Phillip Lowe (Nick & Others) - Come From Away

Phillip Lowe stars as Nick (& Others) in the Australian production of Come From Away. I was thrilled to speak to Phillip about the musical's message and taking the stage each night with his wife, Zoe Gertz who stars as Beverley (& Others). The Sydney debut of the musical was paused last year, due to the pandemic and has finally opened at the Capitol Theatre. Note: This interview was recorded at the media call. The musical would open for two weeks of performances, before Sydney would be plunged into another covid lockdown. The production was paused for 118 days before the musical returned to the stage again. 
COME FROM AWAY 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
~ Filmed Podcast with Phillip Lowe (Nick)
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Phillip Lowe
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Hamilton - Australian Hamilfans in The Room Where It Happened

Hamilton the musical has finally arrived in Australia and is currently playing at the Sydney Lyric Theatre to 100% audience capacity (which is a huge!). Due to the worldwide covid19 pandemic, the Australian production is currently the only place in the world to see this musical. After their first performance, I spoke to excited Hamilfans leaving the theatre, eager to talk about their love for the musical. Some Hamilfans have been waiting years to see this show live; are new fans from watching the original Broadway cast on Disney+ during lockdown with creator Lin-Manuel Miranda (as Alexander Hamilton). One special family, who by chance I picked amongst the crowd have collectively seen five different Hamilton productions around the world. Spoilers. Enjoy! Thank you to my Guests: Sarah and Grandma Silvia, Pash, Chandini and Carlock, Rachael and Sarah, Olivia and Grandad and the Christie family. 
HAMILTON Tickets: https://hamiltonmusical.com.au

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Joe Accaria, Peta Anderson (Drummer Queens)

Joe Accaria (Sweet Charity, Velvet Rewind, Tap Dogs) is the creator, composer and musical director of Drummer Queens- eight talented female percussionists in a musical experience and theatrical show, now having its world premiere at the Sydney Lyric Theatre. Joe was awarded Best Original Score Helpmann Award (Smoke and Mirrors cabaret) and has an extensive resume working as a session musician, recording/ touring artist). Peta Anderson (Riverdance) is choreographer of Drummer Queens and also stars as 'Freedom'. Hear more from Joe and Peta about the idea, the music and creating sequences for each individual songs, especially for drummers who are used to being static in an orchestra or band.
Tickets: Drummer Queens
Watch performances:
~ 'Bayonet'
~ 'Saddle Up'
~ Filmed Podcast with Joe Accaria and Peta Anderson
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Joe Accaria
Peta Anderson
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Come From Away - Doug Hansell (Kevin T & Others)

Historic. At the Disney's Frozen the musical's opening night which marked the reopening of the Capitol Theatre Sydney (post-covid), I catch up with Doug Hansell who plays Kevin T (& others) in the hit musical Come From Away will now debut in July 2021 at this very theatre. Doug reflects on the year, lockdowns and returning to the show for an encore in Melbourne, Brisbane and finally Sydney- with the musical's message of kindness, compassion and community, posing the question how will the audience respond to the story of the Newfoundlanders, after the huge year we've all experienced. 
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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Doug Hansell
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Nat Jobe - Shrek (Donkey/ Capitol Theatre reopening)

Historic. At the Disney's Frozen the musical's opening night which marked the reopening of the Capitol Theatre Sydney (post-covid), I catch up with Nat Jobe (Shrek, Aladdin, Lion King) who stars as Donkey in Shrek. I had interviewed Nat in January 2020 at the Sydney Lyric Theatre as he made his professional debut. In March, the COVID19 pandemic closed theatres and had stopped this tour. Hear how the cast found out and how the cast of Shrek the Musical will have a fairy-tale ending for their Brisbane audiences.
SHREK Tickets: ShrekTheMusical.com.au
Watch performances:
~ 'This Is Our Story'
~ 'Freak Flag'
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Nat Jobe
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Rodney Dobson (Sydney Lyric Theatre reopening /PIPPIN Opening Night)

Rodney Dobson (Chicago, My Fair Lady, Wicked) at the PIPPIN Opening Night, the musical that marks the official reopening of the Sydney Lyric Theatre, which had been closed since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In February, Rodney completed the Australian tour of Chicago starring as Amos and was announced to star as Ben Weatherstaff in the 25^thanniversary of The Secret Garden (Gordon Frost Productions/Opera Australia), set to open here at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in August 2020. Due to the pandemic and theatre shutdown, The Secret Garden was cancelled. We discuss the moment of hearing this news, the year that was, with hope and excitement that musical theatre is back in Sydney.
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Rodney Dobson
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Robert Tripolino (Sydney Lyric Theatre reopening /PIPPIN Opening Night)

Robert Tripolino (RENT, Jesus Christ Superstar, Aladdin: AUS/West End) at the PIPPIN Opening Night, the musical, the official reopening of the Sydney Lyric Theatre, which had been closed since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Robert has returned from London in his stand-out role as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, hear more about his family-owned 'Geelong Palais Theatre', set to reopen in 2021 with more live performances, having participated in generating new musicals (Hope New Works project w/ James Miller) as Victorian COVID-19 restrictions lifted.
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Robert Tripolino
Geelong Palais Theatre
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Ashleigh Rubenach, Stephen Madsen (Sydney Lyric Theatre reopening /PIPPIN Opening Night)

Ashleigh Rubenach (Muriel’s Wedding the Musical, Cry Baby) and Stephen Madsen (Muriel’s Wedding the Musical, The View Upstairs) catch up after the PIPPIN opening night to talk about the return of the industry, the reopening of the Sydney Lyric Theatre, which had been dark since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They have both performed on the Lyric stage together in Muriel’s Wedding the musical, Stephen, originating the role of Alexander Shkuratov, Ashleigh understudying Muriel and in the ensemble. Much to talk about and the excitement of our industry is coming back. 
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Ashleigh Rubenach
Stephen Madsen
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Trevor Ashley (Sydney Lyric Theatre reopening /PIPPIN Opening Night)

At the reopening of the Sydney Lyric Theatre (post-covid), the Opening Night of PIPPIN, a very brief catch-up with the darling Trevor Ashley (Ring Them Bells, Dir.Heather, Les Miserablès), who has just come off the stage hosting and co-producing the return of Show Queen, a monthly cabaret show that was one of the first live performances to return onstage since July 2020 when restrictions eased, giving the opportunity to create payable work for over 40+ artists.
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Trevor Ashley
Show Queen
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PIPPIN - Leslie Bell (Fastrada) Euan Doidge (Lewis)

Historic, post-covid. The Australian premiere of PIPPIN [Gordon Frost, Foundation Theatres] has reopened the Sydney Lyric Theatre - becoming the first commercial musical to open in the Southern Hemisphere. This is a historical moment for Australian musical theatre (and my first time being back in a theatre since March 2020). Still in COVID-19 regulations, short socially distanced interviews with Leslie Bell (Fastrada) and Euan Doidge (Lewis). Leslie and Euan both reflect on the journey to be cast in this momentous musical, hearing the sound of an audience applause again and their roles in this spectacular, colourful and high-energy musical that is loved by all ages.
PIPPIN Tickets: http://pippinmusical.com.au
Watch performances:
~ 'Magic To Do'
~ 'Corner Of The Sky'
~ 'No Time At All'
~ Podcast Trailer
~ Filmed Podcast with Leslie Bell (Fastrada), Euan Doidge (Lewis)
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Leslie Bell
Euan Doidge
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season 3 return, theatre in COVID-19

In March, the COVID-19 pandemic ground our industry to a halt. Tours were cancelled, many out of work and our theatres went dark. In Australia, we have been fortunate our Ghostlights have been turning off and the theatre industry is opening back up. 2020 has been unlike any year we have experienced, we've got interviews to bring to you!! so thank you for listening and your continued support

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The Secret Garden - Rodney Dobson (Ben Weatherstaff)

'The Secret Garden' returns to Australia for the 25th anniversary tour, with Anthony Warlow reprising his role as Archibald Craven. I was thrilled to speak to Rodney Dobson who will star as Ben Weatherstaff, at the launch ahead of the opening in August 2020 and hear more about his character the beloved musical.
Tickets: The Secret Garden
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Rodney Dobson
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The Secret Garden - Alinta Chidzey (Martha)

'The Secret Garden' returns to Australia for the 25th anniversary tour, with Anthony Warlow reprising his role as Archibald Craven. I was thrilled to speak to Alinta Chidzey who will star as Martha, at the launch ahead of the opening in August 2020. Hear more about her character this beloved musical.
Tickets: The Secret Garden
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Alinta Chidzey
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Elenoa Rokobaro - Best Lead Performance (Caroline Or Change), Glug Awards

From the 2019 Glug Awards in Sydney, I was thrilled to speak to Elenoa Rokobaro, who was awarded 'The Colleen Clifford Memorial Award for Most Outstanding Performance by a female actor in leading role in a musical' for her starring role as Caroline in, 'Caroline Or Change'.
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Elenoa Rokobaro
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