Australia's own multi-talented Melinda Schneider steps into the shoes of a great musical icon, American chanteuse Doris Day in Doris - So Much More Than the Girl Next Door.
The Sydney premiere season will take place at the Lyric Theatre for 14 performances only from Thursday 3rd November until Sunday 13th November 2011.
Doris - So Much More Than the Girl Next Door is a heart-felt homage, co-written by Melinda and musical theatre scribe, David Mitchell (Dusty, Shout!). Ms Schneider traces her love at first sight of Doris Day from seeing the 1953 movie musical Calamity Jane.
"She was such a huge talent" Melinda relates, "a triple threat as they say - she could sing, dance and act. I thought then she was the best of everything a woman could be and when I grew up I wanted to be just like her."
The clock turns back as Melinda affectionately tells the story of Ms. Day's life through such popular standards as "Sentimental Journey", "Que Sera, Sera", "Everybody Loves a Lover", "Secret Love" and a whole slew of hits from "Calamity Jane", "The Pajama Game" and "Love Me or Leave Me".
"There will only ever be one Doris. Sadly Doris hasn't performed for over thirty years but so many great songs are associated with her and I get to sing them in this show."
Doris - So Much More Than the Girl Next Door is so much more than a re-imagining of truly great songs. Doris Day's real life story is equally rich and fascinating. Melinda and David have unearthed amazing little-known facts about Doris' journey from small-town Ohio, to the heights of Hollywood. Her four turbulent marriages, rife with abuse and finally catastrophic financial ruin, are also revealed. But throughout, the strength and sunny disposition of everyone's favourite film star shone through.Doris Day is a figure that still connects today. Melinda shares some of her own stories as well as those of her idol. "It's the universal story of women set to music of the forties, fifties and sixties."
Ms. Schenider's most recent album, Melinda Does Doris: A Tribute to Doris Day grew out of the encouragement of David Campbell (her duet partner on "Love Somebody"). "If you don't do a Doris Day album", he told me, "I'm going to hit you over the head!". The album spent nine weeks at number one on the ARIA charts and it is from this success spawned this brand new stage extravaganza, featuring the songs and story of Hollywood's all-time greatest female box-office star, Doris Day.
Not only musical Doris - So Much More Than the Girl Next Door, is visually stunning as Melinda's on-stage wardrobe is a virtual runway of high fashion trends, Doris showcased in her thirty nine Hollywood movies. It's a big production, about a big personality, performed by a big talent - Melinda Schneider, as she once again struts her stuff alongside two highly talented male singer dancers (Rohan Browne & Sam Ludeman), and The Lyric Theatre Showband - a swingin' fourteen piece orchestra. The production has already played highly successful seasons in Brisbane, Adelaide & Melbourne and will also be seen by Perth audiences just prior to the Sydney run. Doris - So Much More Than the Girl Next Door is proudly produced by Bold Jack, whose previous Sydney productions have included the Helpmann Award winning The Man In Black - The Johnny Cash Story and The Ultimate Rock ‘n' Roll Jam Session. The company was created with the mission to produce quality entertainment with wide appeal at an affordable price.Website: www.dorisday.com.au
DORIS - SO MUCH MORE THAN THE GIRL NEXT DOOR
Lyric Theatre - The Star, 80 Pyrmont St, Pyrmont
Thursday 3rd - Sunday 13th November 2011 (14 performances only)
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW - Ticketmaster 1300 795 267 / www.ticketmaster.com.au
BIO - MELINDA SCHNEIDER
For over a decade Melinda has been a leading light of the ‘new-breed' of Australian Country artists both in Australia and the US. In a career which began with a stage debut at the age of three, she has kept her family tradition alive by becoming one of Australia's most sublime singers and popular live performers. But it is through her assured and accomplished song writing that she has really discovered her true voice.
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