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 film and the stage adaption and so much more! I know you will enjoy!

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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 [Crossroads Live Australia] is touring national, currently playing at the Sydney Lyric Theatre. This is so special, Enjoy!

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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.

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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 character and why this musical and their characters mean so much to them.

Listeners, right before the interview began, Georgina walked onstage to surprise us wearing the Anya/Anastasia royal blue ballroom gown, which I audibly gasped and I left that in! Robert was also still in costume from his previous performance. This is a great interview, hope you enjoy!

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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 speak to them and ask questions about both the film and musical- the historical context, staging, research and more! This was so special, I definitely could’ve asked more, so I hope you enjoy this exclusive treat!

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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 Theatre, I was thrilled to speak to them and find out how they approached the character development, especially as Gleb is a new addition to the book differing from the film. Find out more what this musical means to them and also shaping original characters, enjoy!

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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 find out more about their characters (Lily is a new character from the film). Hear more about research, character development and why this musical means so much to them, enjoy!

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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 onstage. Enjoy!

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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, working with this exciting cast and more about the Teatro. This episode includes a brief conversation with Thern Reynolds (Trent Oliver) from the media call. Enjoy!

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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 show that means so much. What I also love about this interview taken at the media call, Caroline O’Connor (Dee Dee Allen) who I had just interviewed returns for the sweetest exchange of encouragement with Sophie just as we begin. Enjoy!

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