Baz Luhrmann's STRICTLY BALLROOM, THE MUSICAL Starts Rehearsals Today

Today Director Baz Luhrmann will walk into the rehearsal room at CARRIAGEWORKS, Redfern to begin an exciting, action packed eight-week intensive rehearsal period.

Newcomers THOMAS LACEY and PHOEBE PANARETOS will play the roles of 'Scott Hastings' and 'Fran'. Their excitement at being chosen from an audition process that lasted eight months and involved close to 600 auditionees is palpable.

Thomas and Phoebe will be joined by principal performers HEATHER MITCHELL, Drew Forsythe, Mark Owen-TAYLOR, ROBERT GRUBB, Bob BainES, FERNANDO MIRA, NATALIE GAMSU along with the entire 43 member multi-talented 'triple threat' cast.

STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL is the inspiring story of a championship ballroom dancer who defies all the rules to follow his heart. This uplifting and courageous tale will commence previews on Tuesday 25 March with the official World Premiere tangoing and sashaying onto the world's stage on Saturday 12 April at Sydney's Lyric Theatre, Star City.

This brand new theatrical production will be brought to the stage by the original creative team behind the classic 1992 film, including director and co-writer Baz Luhrmann, set and costume designer Catherine Martin, choreographer John "Cha Cha" O'Connell and co-writer Craig Pearce.

The show will run at the Sydney Lyric Theatre, The Star, with previews from Tuesday 25 March, 2014 and opening night set for Saturday 12 April 2014.

Performance Times: Tuesday at 7pm; Wednesday at 1pm & 8pm; Thursday at 8pm; Friday at 8pm; Saturday at 2pm & 8pm; and Sunday at 3pM. Prices: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday Evenings, tickets $60 - $135; Wednesday Matinee, tickets $55 - $125; Friday, Saturday & Sunday, tickets $70 - $145

Bookings: Ticketmaster.com.au or 1300 795 267; Groups 20+ and School Groups 20+ call 02 8240 2290; Premium Tickets, VIP and Hotel Packages - call 1300 4 SHOWS or showbiz.com.au/strictlyballroom.

For more information, visit www.strictlyballroomthemusical.com, Facebook.com/strictlyballroomthemusical or follow on Twitter @strictlystage.

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