SWEET CHARITY Opens This Week at Hayes Theatre Co

Sweet Charity - the first production at Hayes Theatre Co - starts this week, with limited tickets available for the season's performances. The classic award winning musical, is produced by Luckiest Productions and Neil Gooding Productions and will play at the Hayes Theatre Co from 7 February - 9 March 2014

If you believe in something hard enough, then eventually it has to come true, right? Charity Hope Valentine is the eternal optimist - a worldview that puts her distinctly at odds with her co-workers in a seedy, run-down dance hall. Dancing with man after man to pay her rent, she dreams of finally being whisked out of there and rescued by love. But can Charity wish her way into making love come true?

Sweet Charity is directed by Green Room Award winner Dean Bryant, and boasts an extraordinary list of musical theatre stars led by Verity Hunt-Ballard, who won the 2011 Helpmann Award as Best Actress in a Musical for her star-making role as Mary Poppins. Other cast members include Helpmann nominees Martin Crewes (Dr Zhivago) as the three men in Charity's life, and Debora Krizak (A Chorus Line) in the dual roles of Nickie and Ursula - with Musical Direction by Andrew Worboys, choreography by Andrew Hallsworth, and costume design by Academy Award and Tony winner Tim Chappel.

Other cast members include; Lisa Sontag as Helene (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Kuki Tipoki as Big Daddy, (The Boy From Oz), Kirby Burgess (An Officer and a Gentleman), Rowena Vilar (Carmen in Fame The Musical), Stephanie Grigg (Maggie in A Chorus Line), Xander Ellis (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Jakob Ambrose (The Addams Family), Seann Matthew Moore, and Francesca O'Donnell.

"The challenges of this production are what has made it most fun for me - taking a huge Broadway musical and keeping what everyone loves (the huge production numbers) but translating them into 2014 in a relatively small space. The other challenge, which our MD Andrew Worboys has more than surpassed, is taking a score that is legendary for its huge brassiness and keeping the exciting sound, but tailored for 5 musicians," said Director, Dean Bryant.

Debuting on Broadway in 1966, Sweet Charity was a collaboration between some of Broadway's most spectacular talents. Cy Coleman's music effortlessly captures the rhythms and sounds, and Dorothy Fields lyrics the vernacular and fascination of the underground scene, in iconic musical numbers such as Big Spender, If My Friends Could See Me Now, and There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This. Neil Simon's razor-sharp script lifts the veil on the exquisite agony of living on the under-side of life. The legendary Bob Fosse directed and choreographed the original production, and was largely responsible for the musical's distinctive and lasting identity. Created by the legendary Broadway performer Gwen Verdon, the role of Charity has been played by many and varied actresses, including Shirley MacLaine in the 1969 film. Nancye Hayes -after whom the Hayes Theatre Co is named -played Charity in the original 1967 Australian production. Since then,Kelly Abbey and Sharon Millerchip have played Charity in subsequent Australian productions in 1998 and 2007.

Hayes Theatre Co is a dedicated music theatre and cabaret venue in Potts Point which was formally the home of the Darlinghurst Theatre Company. Named for Australian musical theatre legend, Nancye Hayes OAM, Hayes Theatre Co honours and builds on the vast history of Australian Musical Theatre and its practitioners. This not-for-profit venue is managed by Independent Music Theatre, a collaborative partnership focusing on providing a permanent home for small-scale musical theatre and cabaret. By providing venue space to newly mounted productions, Hayes Theatre Co, will be a presenting partner together with independent producers and artists. Hayes Theatre Co is made possible through the City of Sydney's Accommodation Grant Program.

"There's a palpable sense of excitement in the air at the Hayes Theatre Co. We can't wait to get people through the doors to see what we've done with the venue. And Sweet Charity is shaping up to be a game-changer for intimate musicals in Australia," said producer, Richard Carroll.

Luckiest Productions is run by David Campbell, Lisa Campbell and Richard Carroll, with credits including the Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2009-11 and An Evening With Megan Mullally. Neil Gooding Productions has produced musicals including The Hatpin, Lovebites, and Gutenberg! The Musical.

SWEET CHARITY

Book by Neil Simon

Music by Cy Coleman

Lyrics by Dorothy Fields

Based on an original screenplay by Federico Fellini, TullioPinelli and EnnioPlaiano

Produced for the Broadway Stage by Fryer, Carr and Harris

Conceived, Staged and Choreographed by Bob Fosse

Costume & Wig Design by Tim Chappel

Set Design by Owen Phillips

Lighting Design by Ross Graham

The Hayes Theatre Co is located at 19 Greenknowe Ave Potts Point. The show runs February 7 - March 9. Gala Opening Night Wednesday 12 February at 8pm. Media Opening Thursday 13 February at 8pm. Times: Tuesday to Saturday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm & Sunday at 5pm. Tickets: Adult $49, Concession $42*. Bookings: www.hayestheatre.com.au or phone 0498 960 586 *including booking fees.