ROSIE

[turnertwink]

Another original Australian Musical is on the way in August!

Staring, the one and only Geraldine Turner! ;D

The show is about a woman (rosie) who dreams of being a dancer and a singer but somehow winds up selling flowers in martin place most of her life.

The show is written by a guy that wrote "Lola Montez" way back in the 60's.

ok, i really didn't sell it just then... but can't say I'm not trying to build some kind of hype about it!

these are definate people in the cast so far:

Gelaldine Turner
Anglea Toohey
Sharon Millerchip
Andrew Koblar
Rodney Dobbson

i know how much you guys are in "the know" so, if you hear ANYTHING more - I WANNA HEAR IT!

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!!!

[Talissa]

Wow, the cast sounds good enough so far, at least! Thanks for that, and if we hear more, we'll definitely say I don't suppose you know which city it will be in, though? It sounds like Sydney.

[turnertwink]

I heard the Independant Theatre in Sydney to start.

[soph28]

Me again!

yep, rosie is opening in Sydney around august, in North Sydney...(I think that's the independent...?)

oh, and the man who wrote it is a man by the name of Frank Hatherley. He's also directing. Its his 1st musical, has always written plays. Talk about a baptism of fire! I did a show with him back in 2002, my last amatuer show actually! It's great to see him going so well.....!

soph

[jackjackjack]

Is this "Rosie" a true story, or has an actual original Australan musical finally gotten off the ground.

James

[roo]

Yes, it is based on a true story. But don't let that put you off. It's quite an interesting one. This Rosie chick has quite an array of colourful friends.

It will be interesting to see modern themes being presented the classic musical theatre style. From what I've read it sounds like it's going to be quite broadway-like -- even includes singing and dancing american sailors docking on the shores of Sydney somewhere in act one

andrew

[Talissa]

James, out of interest, how many musicals can you name, Australian or otherwise, which aren't based on a true story, or some piece of writing or film? There are very few truly original ideas floating around

[Yonkers]

Both Geraldene and Angela were second choices. The originals were far superior performers but the money on offer was so poor it wasn't worth their while, rearranging schedules and finacially. (No I won't say who they were).

[turnertwink]

Whoah yonkers! Don't go talking things down this early on in the picture!

so obviously, it's hard to scrape together the fundings to produce a new show. But that's certainly not the reason why miss Connelly isn't playing the title role.

And don't go comparing the few great Australian artists that we have. Dividing them into superior and inferior. They've all got their good and bad qualities.

you're so negative

[Talissa]

If Ms Connelli was first choice for Geraldine Turner's role, I for one am not lamenting the change.

And besides, being a new musical, the roles will probably change a fair bit before opening night to fit the actors perfectly, so I think it hardly matter's who's cast, especially since all the names mentioned are more than capable performers. I wouldn't hesitate to see anything featuring any one of them.

[jackjackjack]

Talissa said:

James, out of interest, how many musicals can you name, Australian or otherwise, which aren't based on a true story, or some piece of writing or film? There are very few truly original ideas floating around

It's a very good point, but one that I truly lament. I don't see why the musical theatre has to be all about adaptation. For Aussie musicals we have both of the Pratt Prize winners, which gives me hope.

Then, going by my CD collection: Anything Goes, Bye Bye Birdie, A Chorus Line, Company, Follies, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Paint Your Wagon, The Rocky Horror Show, Urinetown, and a few that have inspirations rather than sources, such as West Side Story and Sunday in the Park With George.

It can be done, damn it.

James

[Talissa]

The Pratt Prize winners are definitely where we should be looking. I'm still waiting for that full-scale production of Sideshow Alley, and I can't wait to see Metro Street. The judges have chosen extremely well so far, so it'll be interesting to see what else they can drag up.

[Yonkers]

No, Connelli was never in the picture. With the actress who was originally offered the lead, though the right age group, I understand there was some concern she was a little too slim and pretty...just passing on what I heard. Anyway she now has a much better paying musical in Sydney at about the same time.

The guy who wrote the show (Frank Hatherley) wrote Lola Montez back in the fifties so it isn't his first show. Lola Montez was a big hit for him back then, touring nationally and even having a cast album. A big deal back then.

[lazyboy]

actually it was Peter Stannard who was involved in Lola Montez - he wrote the music for Lola and Rosie. frank hatherley wasn't invoved. I believe Geraldine was definitely the first choice for Rosie (although there was talk of nancye hayes) in this production. Margi DeFerranti played the role in the workshop a couple of years back but wasn't offered the role this time around.

[wonderful]

lazyboy said:

Margi DeFerranti played the role in the workshop a couple of years back but wasn't offered the role this time around.

if im thinking of the right person and im probably NOT.....but she has an incredible voice! look at me, recognising all these theater names!