Stephen Schwartz to Travel to Melbourne for Magnormos' GODSPELL, PIPPIN and CHILDREN OF EDEN, Sept 2013

Legendary Broadway composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz travels to Melbourne for three special performances of his works Godspell, Pippin and Children of Eden at Melbourne Recital Centre in September, realised by the award-winning theatre company Magnormos and a stellar Australian cast including Chloe Dallimore, Rohan Browne, and David Harris.

Spanning four decades, Stephen Schwartz's career has culminated in three Grammys, three Oscars, a Golden Globe, six Tony nominations and a string of hit musicals including Wicked, Godspell, Pippin, and Working. Schwartz was recently awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and is the only songwriter in Broadway history to have three shows run more than 1900 performances. Featuring a cast of great Australian talent and a hot house band, celebrate the enduring work of Stephen Schwartz with three special concert performances of the composer's three favourite productions.

A timeless tale of friendship and loyalty, Godspell is one of the world's most beloved musicals. Starring Cameron MacDonald (Jersey Boys) as Jesus and Matthew Hamilton (Legally Blonde) as Judas, the treasured Tony award-winning score is brought to life, including 'Prepare Ye The Way of the Lord', 'Light of the World', 'Turn Back Oh Man', 'Day by Day' and more.

Pippin is a hip and dazzling celebration of the simple joys in life. Featuring Chloe Dallimore (Annie, The Producers) and Rohan Browne (A Chorus Line, Singing in the Rain), the cast revive this vibrant and tongue-in-cheek production, paying homage to Bob Fosse and Stephen Schwartz in true musical style.

Based on The Book of Genesis, Children of Eden is an inspiring tale of growing up and growing apart. David Harris (Miss Saigon, Legally Blonde) and Laura Fitzpatrick (Flowerchildren) lead the cast in a glorious pop-cultural adaptation of the story of Creation through to Noah and The Flood.

Travelling to Melbourne especially for A Stephen Schwartz Celebration, Schwartz will also take the stage for Stephen Schwartz: In Conversation, presenting an exclusive and intimate evening of stories from a stellar career and forum.

Dubbed Melbourne's 'pioneering musical theatre company' (The Age) Magnormos produces innovative and provocative works. Receiving widespread acclaim for their commitment to filling a void in Australian musical theatre development, Magnormos was established in 2002, aptly premiering with an original Australian adaptation of Stephen Schwartz's ever-popular, Working.

A Stephen Schwartz Celebration
Godspell, Pippin and Children Of Eden
Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre and Magnormos.
Monday 9 September, 16 September & 23 September 7.30pm

Godspell
Starring Cameron MacDonald, Matthew Harris and more artists soon to be announced

Monday 9 September 7.30pm

Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (Two hours & 30 mins incl. interval)

In keeping with Magnormos triptych tradition, Stephen Schwartz's first major work, Godspell 1971, will open A Stephen Schwartz Celebration. A timeless tale of community, loyalty and friends, Godspell has become one of the world's most beloved musicals. The Tony Award-winning score includes favourites, 'Prepare Ye The Way of the Lord', 'Light of the World', 'Turn Back Oh Man' and 'Day By Day'.

Pippin
Starring Chloe Dallimore, Rohan Browne and more artists soon to be announced

Monday 16 September 7.30pm

Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (Two hours & 30 mins incl. interval)

A hip, tongue-in-cheek, anachronistic fairy tale, Pippin has captivated Broadway audiences since it premiered in 1972. Under the direction of Bob Fosse the dark and dazzling Pippin won five Tony Awards in 1973 and ran for 1,944 performances before closing in 1977. With its energetic pop-influenced score, Pippin is a fourth-wall shattering celebration of theatrical magic and the simple joys of life.

Children Of Eden
Starring David Harris, Laura Fitzpatrick and more artists soon to be announced

Monday 23 September 7.30pm

Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (Two hours & 30-mins incl. interval)
Schwartz's heartfelt 1991 musical uses The Book of Genesis as the foundation for the story of parents and children growing up and growing apart. Children of Eden is joyous, universally relevant, inspiring and also one of Stephen Schwartz's personal favourites.

Single tickets: Premium $75; A reserve $65; B reserve $50; THREE-CONCERT PACKAGE AVAILABLE - Standard $210: Includes Premium seats to Godspell, Pippin and Children of Eden plus admission into the special event Stephen Schwartz: In Conversation on Sunday 22 September, an intimate evening of stories from a stellar career presented by Broadway legend, Stephen Schwartz himself.

Bookings: Visit melbournerecital.com.au or phone the Melbourne Recital Centre Box Office on 03 9699 3333. For more information on Stephen Schwartz, visit stephenschwartz.com. For more information on Magnormos, visit magnormos.com.

CAST BIOS:

Cameron MacDonald: Jesus
Born and raised in Melbourne, Cameron trained extensively at Centrestage Performing Arts School under the training of Ian and Leanne White. His theatre credits include the national tour of Graeme Base's award-winning music My Grandma Lives in Gooligulch, the national tour of Miss Saigon where he understudied the lead role of Chris, AltarBoyz!, I Can't Believe It's Not Countdown, Mamma Mia! and most recently the stand-out Sydney season of Jersey Boys. Cameron's television credits also include Blue Heelers, Neighbours and Short Cuts as well as several national commercials.

Matthew Hamilton: Judas
With over 15 years in the industry, Matt has worked across Australia and the United States, with credits as diverse as television shows One Life to Live and All My Children to the Australian company of Wicked and Legally Blonde. Born in the mid-west of the United States, Matt moved to New York City where he joined the vocal group 'Northern Line' alongside Channing Tatum. A singer, actor and dancer, Matt now calls Australia home.

Chloe Dallimore: Fastrada
Chloe is best known for her portrayal of Ulla, the Swedish blonde bombshell in the Australian production of The Producers - The New Mel Brooks Musical which won her five awards, including a Helpmann Award. After completing her formal schooling, Chloe travelled to London as part of the Cameron Mackintosh Scholarship to study Theatre Dance performance at London Studio Centre. Chloe's musical theatre credits include: Chicago - The Musical, Sweet Charity, Annie, Wizard of Oz, Shout! and Oliver!. Chloe has also been a television regular on GMA with Bert Newton, Mornings with Kerri-Anne, Spicks and Specks, Sunrise, Carols in the Domain and is featured in George Miller's 2006 film Happy Feet.

Rohan Browne: Leading Player
Rohan Browne is a Melbourne-based singer, actor and dancer. With four Green Room Award Nominations to his name, Rohan's credits include: A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, A Chorus Line, The Producers, The Drowsy Chaperone, Chicago, Mame and Follies. In August, Rohan performs the lead role of Don Lockwood in The Production Company's 2013 presentation of Singing in the Rain alongside Matt Lee, Alinta Chidzey, Robert Grubb and his wife and fellow musical theatre star, Christie Whelan-Browne.

David Harris: Adam/Noah
Since being awarded an Australian Entertainment 'MO' Award for Best New Talent in 1997, David has become one of the most sought-after leading men in Australian musical theatre. David received a Helpmann Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical as Fiyero in the National tour of Wicked and received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Chris in Cameron Mackintosh's new production of Miss Saigon, for which he also received a Helpmann and Sydney Theatre Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical. Most recently, David starred as Emmett in the Australian production of Legally Blonde in Sydney after returning from the Asian tour of Wicked.

Laura Fitzpatrick: Eve/Mama Noah
Laura Fitzpatrick began performing professionally alongside Chaim Topol as Chava in Fiddler on the Roof at the Regent Theatre. Since then, she has performed the role of Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady at Melbourne's Comedy Theatre and the role of Serenda Katz in the Australasian tour of Fame - The Musical. Laura also travelled to China to appear as a soloist in The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber concert starring Elaine Paige. Most recently, Laura reprised the leading role of Mama Michelle in the 2013 production of Flowerchildren, having performing the role originally as part of independent theatre company Magnormos' sell-out 2011 season.

Full cast lists for Godspell, Pippin and Children of Eden to be announced soon.

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