Arts Centre Melbourne to Celebrate 30 years of Morning Melodies at Christmas Concert

Arts Centre Melbourne's acclaimed daytime entertainment program Morning Melodies is pulling out even more stops for its Christmas concert this year as it celebrates 30 years of performances. The popular Christmas Melodies on 14 December will feature musical theatre star Kane Alexander, opera soprano Teresa Duddy, The Salvation Army Melbourne Staff Band and The National Boys Choir of Australia.

The ever popular Christmas Melodies will include a collection of much loved classics and new favourites performed by a star-studded line-up. Kane Alexander is returning to Arts Centre Melbourne fresh from playing the lead in the recent hit production City of Angels. He is best known for his musical theatre roles in Urinetown, Hair, Footloose and The Wizard of Oz. Along with his own solo shows at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival and the Sydney Swings Series he has also toured with Marina Prior, Tina Arena and Il Divo.

Morning Melodies began in 1985 when its founders, choreographer, performer and director Betty Pounder and producer Sandy Graham (who continues to volunteer at Arts Centre Melbourne) decided it was important they made use of the empty Playhouse Theatre on a Monday morning. What started as a simple but clever use for empty theatres has evolved into a star-studded season of not to be missed entertainment.

The pair started by playing movies in the theatre and slowly but surely built up a performing arts program featuring some of Australia's finest talent. Performers include Van Johnson, Kathryn Grayson Rhonda Burchmore, David Hobson, Silvie Paladino, Patti Newton, James Morrison, Marina Prior and Christie Whelan Browne.

From the main Theatres Building of Arts Centre Melbourne to Hamer Hall, the Morning Melodies concept has spread across Melbourne and interstate as a way to bring performance and art to patrons outside of evening times. It has presented more than 450 concerts to almost half a million audience members. The program boasts a diverse audience including parents with babies, students and seasoned performing arts fans.

Co-founder Sandy Graham said Morning Melodies always had one consistent vision, to provide fabulous daytime entertainment for the people of Melbourne.

"The Morning Melodies demographic know good entertainment, they want good entertainment and they deserve it,' Ms Graham said.

"Morning Melodies is synonymous with entertainment ... and has such a positive vibe to it. (30 years) is a great accolade!"