TWISTED BROADWAY to Premiere at Arts Centre Melbourne, July 22

The gender-bending music theatre blockbuster Twisted Broadway makes its debut at Arts Centre Melbourne's Playhouse Monday 22 July after sold-out seasons in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Twisted Broadway features Australia's premiere music theatre performers singing songs originally written for the opposite gender. With all proceeds going to Oz Showbiz Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Twisted Broadway re-imagines contemporary and classic musical numbers in a night of twisted, show-stopping entertainment.

Headlining the star-studded line-up and lineage of high-profile hosts are Trevor Ashley and Erika Heynatz.

A music theatre veteran and drag cabaret superstar, Trevor Ashley is no stranger to gender-bending with leading (female) roles including Edna Turnbald in Hairsprayand Natalie Portly in pantomime Fat Swan. Ashley has also returned from critically acclaimed cabaret seasons on Broadway and the West End, and will be seen by Melbourne audiences in the upcoming Little Orphan trAshley.

Erika Heynatz cut her teeth as an international supermodel before hosting the hit TV series Australia's Next Top Model. After winner Channel 7's hit series It Takes Two, Heynatz has forged a career in music theatre and was recently seen as Brooke in Legally Blonde the Musical. This role has also garnered Heynatz a Helpmann nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Modeled on the success of New York's Broadway Backwards, Twisted Broadway is an annual charity concert that is fast becoming a stalwart of Australia's music theatre calendar. In 2013, audiences will be entertained by performers from Australia's hit musical productions, including King Kong, Legally Blonde the Musical,Wicked and many more.

In previous years, audiences have been wowed by riotous, gender-defying performances, including Rhonda Burchmore's All I Care About from Chicago, Tim Campbell doing Tracy Turnblad's opening number Good Morning Baltimore from Hairspray and Ian Stenlake performing Everything's Coming Up Roses from Gypsy.

Twisted Broadway proudly supports Oz Showbiz Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. On average, 20 people are diagnosed with HIV every week in Australia and over 50 per cent of those living with HIV/AIDS live under the poverty line. Oz Showbiz Cares/Equity Fights AIDS demonstrates the Australian entertainment industry's dedication to those living with and those touched by HIV/AIDS.