THE BOY FROM OZ The Peter Allen Musical Comes to Theatre Rhino
The Boy From Oz is a raucous musical biography about the life of the most famous gay man from Australia - entertainer, singer/songwriter, Peter Allen - featuring songs written by him and with other collaborators.
The original book is by Nick Enright, with a revised book by Martin Sherman (Bent). The show begins in the 1950s with his humble beginnings growing up in an Australian bush town. He then experiences a meteoric rise to fame as an international star opening for Judy Garland and selling out week-long engagements at Radio City Music Hall. Allen was Judy Garland's good friend and Liza Minnelli's first husband, but, first and foremost, singer-songwriter Peter Allen was a performer. Within a few years, Allen and Minnelli split due to Allen's homosexuality. Eventually, Allen dies from AIDS - but before he dies, he is able to give one final concert back in his homeland.
The Boy From Oz is a tale of humor, heartbreak, self-discovery, forgiveness and love, all told using Allen's own songs, including "I Honestly Love You", "Don't Cry Out Loud", and "I Go to Rio." The Boy From Oz premiered in Australia in 1998 starring Todd McKenney, playing to over a million people, before debuting on Broadway in 2003 with Hugh Jackman in the lead role playing almost 400 performances. Jackman won the 2004 Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical.
Shows are at the Gateway Theatre, 215 Jackson St., (at Battery St.) SF, CA 94111 - Embarcadero BART. Tickets are $15 - $45 and available at https://therhino.audience1st.com/store/12 or 1-800-838-3006. (All Previews are pay-what-you-wish at the door.)
The Boy From Oz features Bay Area Actors: SuzyJane Edwards (Dee/Trio/Ensemble); Max Fischer (Young Peter - W/Th); Justin Genna* (Peter); Larissa Kelloway (Marion/Trio); John-Thomas Hanson (Stage Manager/Mark/Trio/ Ensemble); Kim Larsen (George/Dick/Announcer/Dealer/Ensemble); Grace Liu (Josie-Leslie/Girl/Trio/Rockette/Trio/Ensemble); Justin Lopez (Announcer/Trick/Greg/Trio/ Ensemble); John Charles Quimpo (Chris/Trio/Ensemble); Leandra Ramm* (Judy); Carol Walker (Liza); Cameron Zener (Young Peter - F/Sat). (The role of young Peter is double cast.)
*Appears courtesy of Actors' Equity Association
Tech Credits: David Draper (Costume Designer); John Fisher (Director); Kevin Hammond (Choreographer); Colin Johnson (Lighting Designer); Christina Lazo (Choreographer); Stephanie Rose Niemann (Ass't. Director/Stage Manager); Sheela Ramesh (Music Director); Joe Tally (Ass't. Director); Bert van Aalsburg (Scenic Design).
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