Let Me Entertain You

The Australian premiere of TOOTSIE [On Your Feet Australia] has opened at the Teatro at the Italian Forum Sydney and I was thrilled to speak to its star Andrew Bevis (Les Misèrables, Romeo and Juliet), who is also the co-founder of the theatre. This is a glorious, funny and insightful interview from his dressing room discussing costumes, character, the difference between the 1982 Oscar-winning fil...

More from Lynn Ahrens (animated film/Musical lyricist) and Sarah Hartmann (U.S Associate Director). Following on from the other week’s episode, I have included the conversation between them both at the media call talking about more about the story, the production and some bits of information fans may not have known about the film and stage adaption. The Australian premiere production of ANASTASIA...

From the Sydney Lyric Theatre, Producer John Frost introduces the Australian premiere and why he brought the musical to Australia for the first time. Also has an introduction to the U.S Associate Director which will be followed in next episode. Watch performances: ~ video interview ~ 'Journey To The Past' - Georgina Hopson ~ 'My Petersburg' - Robert Tripolino ~ 'Land Of Yesterday' - Rhonda Burchmo...

Georgina Hopson (Titanique, The Phantom Of The Opera) stars as Anya and Robert Tripolino (Jesus Christ Superstar US/UK, Les Misèrables UK), star as Dmitry in the Australian premiere production of ANASTASIA [Crossroads Live Australia]. The musical is currently playing at the Sydney Lyric Theatre and I was thrilled to talk to them both and find out more about this musical, their approaches to charac...

Lynn Ahrens is an Academy Award, Golden Globe and Tony nominated lyricist for her work on ANASTASIA, both the original 1997 Twentieth Century Fox’s animated film and musical stage adaption and US Associate Director Sarah Hartmann were both in Sydney, the Lyric Theatre for the opening of the Australia premiere of ANASTASIA [Crossroads Live Australia]. What an honour! I was thrilled to be able to sp...

Nanyce Hayes (Mary Poppins, Annie) stars as the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna (Princess Anastasia’s Grandmother) and Joshua Robson (Phantom Of The Opera, A Little Night Music) star as Gleb (General for the Bolsheviks, who now control Russia after the revolution) in the Australian premiere production of ANASTASIA [Crossroads Live Australia]. The musical is currently playing at the Sydney Lyric T...

Rhonda Burchmore (Sister Act, Hairspray) stars as Countess Lily Malevsky-Malevitch, the Dowager Empress’s Lady-in-waiting and Rodney Dobson (Beauty and the Beast, Moulin Rouge) stars as Vlad, con-man friend to Dmitry, in the Australian premiere production of ANASTASIA [Crossroads Live Australia]. The musical is currently playing at the Sydney Lyric Theatre, I was thrilled to speak to them both and...

Thern Reynolds stars as Trent Oliver in the Australian premiere of THE PROM [On Your Feet Australia], at the Teatro at the Italian Forum, Leichhardt. Following on from last week's episode, this is the extended conversation between Nathan M.Wright (Choreographer & co-director) on stage at the media call. Find out more about THE PROM, the legacy being built at the Teatro and Thern’s career onsta...

Nathan M.Wright is co-Director & Choreographer of the Australian premiere of THE PROM [On Your Feet Australia] and co-founder of Sydney’s newest independent theatre, ‘Teatro at the Italian Forum’, Leichhardt (located in previously the Actor’s Centre). I was thrilled to speak to Nathan and find out more about their second production since opening, his creative approach to choreographing, workin...

Sophie Montague stars as Emma Nolan in the Australian premiere of THE PROM at Sydney’s newest theatre, ‘Teatro at the Italian Forum’. This is Sophie’s second professional lead role, after starring as Sister Mary Robert in SISTER ACT Australian premiere tour (Crossroads Live Australia), I was thrilled to talk to them, learn more about the musical and the opportunity of playing a queer role in a sho...

Australian-born, world-wide triple-threat in demand, Caroline O'Connor OAM [Chicago, Anastasia, West Side Story] stars in the Australian premiere of THE PROM as Dee Dee Allen. Three-time Helpmann Award and three-time Green Room award winner, Caroline has paved the way starring on Broadway, West End and stages around Europe and I was thrilled to officially interview her for the podcast! Australia's...

The Australian premiere tour of BACK TO THE FUTURE (Crossroads Live Australia) musical was cut short and fans of the trilogy films and the musical will enjoy this entertaining and educational conversation with superfan Megan, who I met at the stage door after final performance at the Sydney Lyric Theatre. Megan lives regionally, travelled 15 hours dressed in cosplay, drove around Sydney in the Aus...

THE LOVERS [Shake&Stir, Crossroads Live Australia] is a new Australian musical by Laura Murphy, based on 'A Midsummers Night Dream' by William Shakespeare, currently playing at the Theatre Royal Sydney. I was thrilled to speak to Natalie Abbott and Matt Verevis who star as Helena and Lycander- two guests I have interviewed on this podcast before, Natalie (Muriels Wedding The Musical) and Matt...

New artist alert: Gem is a new and upcoming Australian independent songwriter, composer and musician. I caught up with him after his set at the annual Marrickville Music Festival (great fun, go check it out next year, i will go back!). I met Gem many years ago when he was just starting out and in this interview you will hear more about his work, his idols (we have a spooky experience with Ozzy Osb...

New artist alert: Jamilla Grace is the lead singer and songwriter of a upcoming Australian independent band GRACE. I caught up with them after their 1 hour set at the annual Inner West Sydney Music Festival (great fun, will be there next year!), to hear more about the band, her inspiration behind the songs and love of musical theatre. I am absolutely sure you will be seeing and hearing more about...

Taylor Swift has released her much anticipated 12th album, THE LIFE OF A SHOWGIRL. To celebrate, Taylor created a cinematic release called THE OFFICIAL PARTY OF A SHOWGIRL, featuring her first single 'Orphelia' that she wrote, directed and starred in, behind the scenes footage, lyrical videos and more! Shoutout to Randwick Ritz, the only cinema in Sydney who charged $12.00 tickets (as Taylor wante...

Interview with Lucy Maunder [Mary Poppins, Chicago] who stars as Jellylorum and Mark Vincent [Life Is Beautiful, A Tribute to Mario Lanza] who stars as Old Deuteronomy in the 40th anniversary Australian tour of CATS. Hear how the three words given describing their character shaped the way they approached playing their cat, antedotes related to the musical and how Sydney audiences are responding to...

Interview with Todd McKenney [Wicked, Dancing With The Stars] who stars as Asparagus (Gus)/ Bustopher Jones and Des Flannagan [Moulin Rouge, The Producers] who stars as Rum Tum Tugger in the 40th anniversary Australian tour of CATS. Todd was in the original Australian production, hear him reminisce and give advice; the three words given to the actors to help them find character and so much more! N...

Interview in the foyer of the Theatre Royal Sydney after the opening week performance of the 40th anniversary Australian production of CATS. What makes this conversation a surprising listen is I find out Lisa (and her friends) were picked to meet Old Deuteronomy during intermission- a special experience available for audiences- something I witnessed sitting in the dress-circle and found out more....

Interview with Chrissie Cartwright, Associate Director and Australian Choreographer for the 40th anniversary Australian tour of CATS. Hear the history behind the musical and an insight of how Andrew Lloyd Webber began putting music to T.S Eliot's poems 'Old Possum's Book Of Practical Cats' (the source material), working with the original choreographer Dame Gillian Lynne and bringing this musical b...

Interview with Gabriyel Thomas [Sister Act, Hairspray] who stars as Grizabella the glamour cat for the 40th anniversary Australian tour of CATS. Hear Gabriyel’s first memory of seeing the original film, Eliane Page’s influential performance on her finding character and as a Swiftie I ask if Taylor Swift’s ‘Beautiful Ghosts’ with Andrew Lloyd Webber from the 2019 CATS film appearing in this product...

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, h...

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 o...

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 extensi...

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...