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Dandenong Theatre Company PO Box 8028, Dandenong, 3175.
Web: http://www.dandenongtheatre.org.au Email: info@dandenongtheatre.org.au |
Stage ChatSubscriber edition March 2005
Edited by Stephen Oakes |
From the PresidentHere we are again with another Stage Chat Newsletter heralding another forthcoming DTC production. This time it’s BARNUM. You might remember the professional production of BARNUM from the 1980s starring Reg Livermore (I can, so I guess that ages me somewhat) or one of the more recent amateur productions here in Melbourne. BARNUM has the three elements we all look for in a successful musical – great music (Cy Coleman), great lyrics (Michael Stewart) and a great book (Mark Bramble). I initially came into this production of BARNUM as the Musical Director, and somehow along the way ended up as President of DTC. The previous committee selected Paul Watson, director, Lyndall McGregor, choreographer, and me as the production team for the show. As I see it, at this point in the work up of the show all seems to be coming together quite well. We have been fortunate enough to assemble a cast, although small in size - 24 in all, that is of the highest quality, and the cast, the production team, and the Company itself are all working toward bringing you our audience, the best possible show. What is BARNUM about? Well it’s all about ‘humbug’ really, or that’s what Phineas Taylor Barnum would say were he here to review his own show. Although Barnum is reputed to have coined the phrase “There is a sucker born every minute” it was, in fact, first used by a rival entrepreneur of the time. Nevertheless, it is this phrase that becomes the title of the opening number to the show, which biographically tells the story of P.T. Barnum’s life from 1835, when he opened the American Museum, until he joined forces with James Bailey in 1881 to present ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’, Barnum and Bailey’s Circus. The show introduces his wife Chairy, and such other real life characters as Joice Heth, aged 160, the oldest woman in the world, General Tom Thumb, the world’s smallest man, and Jenny Lind, the Swedish Nightingale. In addition there are a number of cameo appearances along the way to give us an insight into this interesting showman’s life. Great music, great lyrics and book, combined with a wonderfully talented cast, translates to an unforgettable evening’s entertainment. “Step right up, step right up ladies and gentlemen” and join us at Monash Secondary College Theatre for a stunning production of the Dandenong Theatre Company, of BARNUM! Finally, we are very excited to announce that our next production will be FAME! See later in this newsletter for more details. Chris Stock, DTC President
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DTC’s Stage ChatStage Chat is the official publication of Dandenong Theatre Company, Inc. ABN
DTC Committee, 2005President - Chris Stock Vice President - Jason Bovaird Secretary - Victoria Zainal Treasurer - Anne McKay General Committee - Kym Davies Stephen Oakes Steven Legg Owen Collier Fiona Oakes Michael Banks |
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DTC
presents Barnum
DTC is delighted to present Barnum, the story of larger-than-life figure, Phineas Taylor (P.T.) Barnum.
Our delightful cast is led by the very talented Heath Harney, who has most recently played the role of Simon Stride in Nova’s Jekyll and Hyde, for which he received a Guild Commendation. We have enjoyed Heath’s antics and look forward to seeing him play the role of Barnum. Other principal cast members include former DTC performers Richard Green (Bailey / Ringmaster), Victoria Zainal (Chairy), Jayne Murphy (Joice Heth / Blues singer) and Kirsten McMillan (Jenny Lind). We also welcome Chris Buchannan who plays Tom Thumb. The cast is listed on the next page.
Barnum is packed with delightful songs such as There is a Sucker Born every Minute, One Brick at a Time, Come Follow the Band, The Colours of My Life and Black and White. Most of these are bursting with energy and simple-but-effective vocal harmonies.
Barnum production team
Paul Watson
Paul describes himself as “Director, Writer, Composer, Actor, Singer, Musician and that’s just the start of it!” Paul has worked with some of Melbourne’s well-known bands, notably as a drummer for The Pete Murray Band.
His theatrical performances include “The Narrator” in Joseph…, “Pontias Pilate” in Jesus Christ, Superstar and “Nicely Nicely” in Guys and Dolls.
Recently Paul has discovered the joys of direction, and he has already directed several productions, including Anything Goes, Pirates of Penzance and How to Succeed in Business.
Chris Stock
Chris has musically directed two of DTC’s previous productions, those being Oklahoma! in 2002 and Gypsy in 2003. He first appeared on stage at the age of 4 in a production of Oklahoma! in 1955. This experience engendered a love of musical theatre which has endured since.
Chris’s musical career includes singing in St. Patrick’s Cathedral’s choir, 30 years as an Army musician playing oboe, and as a senior administrator with the Australian Army Band Corps and he is currently Music Director of Cranbourne Chorale.
Chris is now president of DTC.
Lyndall McGregor
Lyndall brings with her a wealth of theatrical knowledge in many dance styles such as ballet, tap, jazz and ballroom. She has choreographed a number of productions in the last few years such as A Slice of Saturday Night with Fab Nobs theatre, and Fame at Trinity College (Melbourne University).
Lyndall is currently completing Choreographing Clue the musical with Fab Nobs theatre in Bayswater. She has been enjoying the work she has been doing so far with Dandenong Theatre Company and the cast of Barnum, and looks forward to seeing the audience enjoy the already promising performances.
Barnum performance dates
DTC will be performing Barnum at the Monash Secondary College Theatre on these dates:
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Week 1 |
Week 2 |
Week 3 |
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Friday 22 April - 8.00 p.m. |
Thursday
28 April - 8.00 p.m. |
Thursday 5 May - 8.00 p.m. |
The Monash Secondary College Theatre is located at the corner of Duerdin Street and Nantilla Road in Clayton North. Melway reference 70 K10.
For tickets, please contact Anne McKay on 9796 7909.
Barnum cast
The cast of Barnum in alphabetical order
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Who wants to live forever?
DTC is delighted to announce that its second major production for 2005 will be Fame!
DTC is currently seeking a production team to help us stage this musical. Interested people should contact Chris Stock on 9753 3331, or email us at info@dandenongtheatre.org.au.
Auditions will be held in May. More details will be available in April. Please watch our website or email us for more information.
Cosi
In January we presented our annual play. This time we performed Cosi, in the Monash Secondary College theatre instead of our usual play venue in Dandenong. Congratulations to all cast and crew on a very successful season of Cosi. Congratulations also to Stephen Oakes on his directorial debut – an excellent innovative approach to a difficult piece of theatre. Well done Stephen!
If you missed out on seeing this play, and would like to be informed of future non-musical productions, please let us know. We currently only notify a small percentage of our total number of subscribers – those who have told us that they are interested in hearing about our plays.
Remember also to keep an eye on our website. All of our upcoming musicals, plays, auditions and even special events such as trivia nights will be announced there.
Waverley Theatre Company’s Tsunami Appeal Concerts
On February 20th this year, Waverley Theatre Company presented 2 performances of a concert for the benefit of victims of the recent tsunami. Hosted by Peter Newling, this was a very successful show, raising over $2000. All money raised was donated through World Vision. DTC performed a couple of songs from our upcoming production of Barnum as a part of the concert. Well done Heath, Vicki and team for an excellent performance.
DTC congratulates Waverley Theatre for organising this event and is proud to have participated.
For more information about Waverley Theatre Company, please call Vicki Smith on 9568 4090 or see their website: http://www.waverleytheatre.com.au
Are you a financial member?
Membership
of DTC costs just $20 per year. For this amount you will receive special offers
on, or be eligible to perform in our productions. You will also help us to
offset the ever-increasing costs of producing our newsletter. Of course you
will also be eligible to vote at our AGM. If your membership has lapsed or you
would like to join us, please call Anne McKay on 9796 7909.
To
book tickets for Barnum, please call Anne McKay on 9796 7909. Tickets
are $25 for adults, $22 concession (students, pensioners, group bookings of 20
or more).