Love: A Multiple Choice Question

[VenessaPaech]

A one-man Australian musical that took the New York International Fringe Festival by storm is headed to Melbourne for its Australian Premiere.

The brainchild of NIDA graduate Jamie Jackson and South Korean composer Sohee Youn, 'Love: A Multiple Choice Question' spins the yarn of serial monogamist and ex-pat Aussie Ben, holed up in Manhattan trying to get his romantic life together. When matters of the heart go once again awry, Ben finds himself inexplicably whisked off to his hometown in country New South Wales, where he might just find some answers...if he can survive his friends and family.

One man, 12 unforgettable characters - this delightful new Australian musical captivated New Yorkers in 2003 and is headed to Melbourne for a December Australian Premiere Season.

'A must see.' - NY Theatre.com

'Jackson flicks between likeable, terrifying and funny characters with expert skeletal and vocal transformation.' - NY Theatre.com

'A personal tour-de-force.' - Curtain Up

'Love: A Multiple Choice Question'
Book & Lyrics by Jamie Jackson
Music by SoHee Youn

Thu Dec 9th @ 8pm
Fri Dec 10th @ 8pm
Sat Dec 11th @ 5pm, 8pm
Sun Dec 12th @ 2pm
Tue Dec 14th @ 8pm
Wed Dec 15th @ 8pm
Thu Dec 16th @ 8pm
Fri Dec 17th @ 8pm
Sat Dec 18th @ 5pm, 8pm
Sun Dec 19th @ 2pm

fortyfive downstairs
45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Tix: $30/$20 - Group discounts available

Bookings: [phone] (Tues-Sun after 11am)

Email: [e-mail]
Visit us on the web @ www.lovemusical.com

[VenessaPaech]

A one-man Australian musical that took the New York International Fringe Festival by storm is headed to Melbourne for its Australian Premiere.

The brainchild of Australian actor Jamie Jackson and South Korean composer Sohee Youn, 'Love: A Multiple Choice Question' spins the yarn of serial monogamist and ex-pat Aussie Ben, holed up in Manhattan trying to get his romantic life together. When matters of the heart go awry, Ben finds himself inexplicably whisked off to his hometown in country New South Wales, where he might just find some answers…if he can survive his friends and family.

Jackson, a NIDA graduate, plays a remarkable 12 characters in the show that earned him, and musical director/composer Youn, raves in New York last year.

The actor-turned-writer has long been involved in the creation of new Australian work, performing in premieres of Nick Enright’s 'Mongrels' at the Ensemble Theatre, 'The Way We Were' for the Sydney Theatre Company, Bea Christian’s 'Blue Murder' at Belvoir St and
Catherine Zimdahl’s 'Clark in Sarajevo' for the Griffin Theatre.

A founder of Australian Children’s Theatre company Young at Art, Jackson’s other writing credits include a multicultural cabaret with a cast of 40 and the political cabaret 'Merry Christmas Pauline Hanson' (which enjoyed a sell-out season at the New Theatre in Sydney).

With the assistance of an Australia Council grant and a Mike Walsh scholarship, Jackson completed NYU’s prestigious Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program in 1998. NYU also introduced him to Youn and a musical partnership that has spawned: 'A Life In The Day' (a
one act tragi-comedy about battery chickens performed at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center in 2000); 'One Flame' (a children’s musical performed as part of the touring Sydney Olympic arts festival);and, 'Turandot:The Club Act' (an adaptation of Puccini’s opera), among
other projects.

'Love' marks a long awaited journey home for Jackson, and a first time visit for Youn.

American director Thom Garvey, who helmed 'Love' in the 2003 New York International Fringe Festival – will direct the Australian premiere.

“That three people from very different regions of the world can find common ground and a unified creative voice is wonderful,” said Garvey.

“This is a show inspired by an Australian, set in Australia, developed and performed in New York City and now it will be brought to the Australian stage. It’s truly a complete experience.”

The arrival of 'Love' on its home shore comes on the heels of an upsurge in Australian musical theatre visibility; the big budget 'Eureka: The Musical' and an unprecedented exhibition of Australian musical theatre history at the Victorian Arts Centre, profile cases in
point.

“For some time now, Australia has been producing some of the world’s best actors, directors and designers, yet our musical theatre writers and composers have yet to enjoy similar triumph,” said Jackson.

“Thankfully, I believe that’s changing. Australians are discovering that they do ‘sing’ in a way that’s unique, that there is much here to ‘sing about’ and that there is nothing quite as enriching and liberating as getting wrapped up in a story that springs from people and
situations you recognise as your own.”

Executive Producer Venessa Paech is thrilled to bring one of those stories back to its roots.

The Adelaide born, Darwin bred, Melbourne-based Paech also trained at N.Y.U and has devoted her post-graduate career to fostering new musical work back home in Oz.

“We deserve to see our artists telling our stories,” says Paech.

”Jamie’s extraordinary show embodies the vitality, creativity and innovation of which our musical theatre practitioners are capable.”

'Love: A Multiple Choice Question'
Book & Lyrics by Jamie Jackson, Music by SoHee Youn
fortyfive downstairs
45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
December 9 th – 19 th , 2004.
Bookings: [phone] (Tues-Sun after 11am)

For more information, and some fun...visit the LOVE team on the webat: www.lovemusical.com

Further information, images and interview requests:
Nicola Fern (Publicist)
Ph: 9866 6003
Mobile: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]