This Is Your Brain On Musical Theatre: with CARRIE The MUSICAL's Chelsea Gibb

Chelsea Gibb went straight from WAAPA to CHICAGO. She won the role of Roxie Hart in the revival of the Broadway hit - on her first audition out of Australia's famous performing arts academy. She went on to play Roxie across Australia and Asia, taking her place centre stage as one of our most talented and versatile musical theatre stars.

From classic musicals like CHICAGO, and THE KING AND I, to newer works, including WILD PARTY and the original Australian production, DREAMSONG, Gibb has played lead roles across a wide range of musical theatre genres - and now she's adding horror to the list.

This month, she stars in the Melbourne premiere of CARRIE the MUSICAL. Based on the famous Stephen King novel and subsequent cult film, the musical had its first incarnation back in 1988, when it opened and closed on Broadway after only five performances. Revived and revised in 2012 by the original creative team, the show has gone from famous flop to critical success, receiving rave reviews from San Francisco to Sydney. Now it's Melbourne's turn to experience the horror of American high school, and its effect on the troubled, telekenetic Carrie White.

Gibb plays Carrie's mother, the deeply religious Margaret White, and though CARRIE is beloved as a horror classic, she says there are some lighter moments to be found in the musical, along with an important message around the impacts of bullying.

As she gets ready for the Chapel off Chapel opening of the show, here is a glimpse into Chelsea Gibb's brain on musical theatre:

1. Is there a particular show and/or person that first made you feel like 'this is what I want to do'?

CATS - The Musical! It was my first experience seeing musical theatre, and the idea of escaping within yourself to become something else so different seemed amazing to me. I was hooked!

2. What is the first album or soundtrack you listened to on repeat?

"Could've Been So Beautiful" by Tiffany. I was twelve and that song was everything to me :)

3. Is there one night in your career that you would love to go back to and experience over again?

No....I can't think of one - well... maybe... the opening night of my first ever professional performance as Roxie Hart in CHICAGO at Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne.

4. Is there one role that belongs to the opposite gender, or a different age group, that you would secretly love to perform?

Annie in ANNIE ... even though I was a red-haired and freckle-faced kid, I missed out on that one!

5. How many times have you seen the movie version of Carrie? What can fans of the movie expect from the musical adaptation?

I've seen the original film by Brian De Palma, starring Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie, a few times now and I think this musical version provides a lot more light relief. There are some great comic moments, and it certainly explores the relationship between Margaret White and my daughter Carrie in far greater detail. The musical also brings home a really strong message about bullying and the effects it can have on those subjected to it.

6. Which leads us nicely to ... what TV show, movie or book is the next hit musical waiting to happen?

It'd have to be a Harry Potter (Can I change my answer to Question #4??)

7. Carrie is a horror classic. What or who is guaranteed to scare you?

The idea of a stranger or dangerous person hiding in my house.

And finally, borrowing from James Lipton via Bernard Pivot:

8. What sound or noise do you love?

Easy! The sound of my three children in fits of giggles.

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Ghost Light in association with Moving Light Productions presents

CARRIE the MUSICAL

Chapel Off Chapel, Melbourne

25 September - 12 October

For tickets and more information, click here.

Images: Supplied