Andrew Hallsworth News

Richard Sunday, pastor of evangelical mega-church DreamSong, is losing churchgoers to financial hardships fast - so he stages the second coming of Christ in the form of a highly profitable Christian pop star. DreamSong is an irreverent and audacious comedy that investigates questions of faith and spirituality through a wickedly satirical depiction of evangelical populist religion, politics and popular culture - set to a pulsing score of Christian pop and soaring power ballads.

Jeanne Pratt AC, Chairman of The Production Company, announces her Company's 2014 season. She states, 'Three very different musicals are coming to Melbourne for our 2014 Season. Spanning sixty years of Broadway creativity, they are three of my favourite Broadway classics. Guys and Dolls opens our season on July 19, Show Boat opens on August 16 and our third musical is La Cage Aux Folles, which opens on November 22. To star in these musicals, we have engaged artists who will shine and enchant our audiences. Unique stagings for each musical will be created by our brightest directors, choreographers and conductors. Melbourne is in for another great year of musical theatre entertainment.'

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

New satirical Australian Musical DreamSong will open for a 10 day season at Theatre Works, St Kilda from 10 to 20 April.

Richard Sunday, pastor of evangelical mega-church DreamSong, is losing churchgoers to financial hardships fast - so he stages the second coming of Christ in the form of a highly profitable Christian pop star. DreamSong is an irreverent and audacious comedy that investigates questions of faith and spirituality through a wickedly satirical depiction of evangelical populist religion, politics and popular culture - set to a pulsing score of Christian pop and soaring power ballads.

The Hayes Theatre came to life this morning as the cast and crew of Sweet Charity arrived for their first official day of rehearsals in the venue. The cast knocked everyone's socks off with their first read-through and sing-through of the iconic score.

The first show at the Hayes Theatre Co is an up-close and personal production of the classic musical Sweet Charity, produced by Luckiest Productions and Neil Gooding Productions. Sweet Charity will play at the Hayes Theatre Co from 7 February - 9 March 2014.

The Production Company rounded off its 2013 season last night with Gilbert and Sullivan's classic operetta The Pirates of Penzance. There was, however, little reference to the classic that was first performed in 1879. There have been many adaptations of the original, with this production centering on the 1981 Broadway production. This show is undoubtedly fun. In fact, that is the most apt word to describe this production. It's light and fluffy in all the right places, however, its biggest strength is also its ultimate undoing. For while director Dean Bryant has tapped into the light pantomime frolics that make Pirates so enjoyable, there is little variation to the over flamboyance presented on opening night. This show fails to find the truth in moments that call for it. Any honest point is made light of or brushed over with seemingly little regard. The show fights against itself, leaving us partially satisfied but never fully satisfied.

The Production Company's new staging of the Broadway version of The Pirates of Penzance opens in Hamer Hall on October 30 for a season of six performances only.

Australia's best known and most prolific playwright, David Williamson takes on the greatest media mogul of all time in the world premiere of Rupert which opens on Thursday 29 August 2013 at Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse, directed by Lee Lewis. Following its world premiere, Rupert will tour to Washington D.C. for five performances between 12-15 March 2014 as part of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts WORLD STAGES: International Theatre Festival.

Today Jeanne Pratt AC, Chairman of The Production Company, announces her company's new season.

Today Jeanne Pratt AC, Chairman of The Production Company, announces her company's new season.

What do Geoffrey Rush, Lisa McCune, Bob Downe, Silvie Paladino, Colin Friels Tony Bartuccio, Chunky Move, John Bell, Richard Gill, Neil Armfield, Chambermade, Bangarra, MKA, Simon Stone, Pamela Rabe, Todd McKenney all have in common? They've all received nominations for the 30th Annual Green Room Awards.

Dopo due fortunatissime stagioni milanesi, il bus di PRISCILLA, LA REGINA DEL DESERTO 'parcheggia' nella Capitale accolto da una platea elettrizzata e folta d VIP - fra i tanti Paolo Bonolis, Francesco Pannofino, Cesare Bocci, Pippo Baudo, Rossella Brescia, Vladimir Luxuria... - che ieri, 24 gennaio ha buttato giù il Teatro Brancaccio a suon di applausi.

Geoffrey Rush leads John Frost's production of Sondheim's A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, which opened in Melbourne Saturday, October 27 at Her Majesty's Theatre and runs for twelve weeks. The show is directed by Simon Phillips. Watch the video below for highlights from the red carpet, curtain call and audience members' reactions to the show!

Geoffrey Rush leads John Frost's production of Sondheim's A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, which is currently running in Melbourne at Her Majesty's Theatre for twelve weeks. The show is directed by Simon Phillips. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production shots below.

Geoffrey Rush will lead John Frost's production of Sondheim's A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, which opens in Melbourne Saturday, October 27 at Her Majesty's Theatre and runs for twelve weeks. The show is directed by Simon Phillips. BroadwayWorld has a look at photos from the cast announcement and media launch. Check back soon for full production shots!

Geoffrey Rush will lead John Frost's production of Sondheim's A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, which opens in Melbourne Saturday, October 27 at Her Majesty's Theatre and runs for twelve weeks. The show is directed by Simon Phillips. BroadwayWorld has a Q&A session with the cast. Check out the video below!

Geoffrey Rush will lead John Frost's production of Sondheim's A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, which opens in Melbourne Saturday, October 27 at Her Majesty's Theatre and runs for twelve weeks. The show is directed by Simon Phillips.