TWISTED BROADWAY Returns to Sydney Today

The gender-bending music theatre event Twisted Broadway returns to the NIDA's Parade Theatre, tonight, August 19 for its second year, after sold-out seasons in Melbourne in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. Twisted Broadway features top Australian music theatre performers singing songs originally written for the opposite gender. With all proceeds going to Oz Showbiz Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Twisted Broadway re-imagines contemporary and classic musical numbers in a night of twisted, show-stopping entertainment.

Headlining tonight's line-up and lineage of high-profile hosts are Chloe Dallimore and Damien Bodie.

Having recently performed the roles of Tessie Tura in Gypsy and Morticia Addams in The Addams Family, for which she was nominated for a Helpmann award in Best Female Actor in a Musical category, Chloe Dallimore is no stranger to the stage. Dallimore is also currently serving as President of the Board for Oz Showbiz Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Damien Bodie made his television debut at age 7 and has been on screen ever since. Having played featured roles in Neighbours, Ocean Girl, City Homicide and Blue Heelers, Bodie is currently starring in Winners and Losers for Channel 7. Bodie has recently aligned himself with other charity events and hosted as part of the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal.

Modeled on the success of New York's Broadway Backwards, Twisted Broadway is an annual charity concert that is fast becoming a stalwart of Australia's music theatre calendar. In 2013, audiences will be entertained by Australian stage and screen favorites including Helen Dallimore (Legally Blonde), Ben Mingay (Wonderland, Ch 10), Verity Hunt Ballard (Mary Poppins), Ian Stenlake (Stingers), Rodney Dobson (Wicked), Pippa Grandison (Wicked), Avigail Herman (Cats) and Tom Sharah (I Will Survive, Ch 10).

In previous years, audiences have enjo gender-defying performances, including Rhonda Burchmore's All I Care About from Chicago, Tim Campbell doing Tracy Turnblad's opening numberGood Morning Baltimore from Hairspray and Ian Stenlake performing Everything's Coming Up Roses from Gypsy.

Twisted Broadway proudly supports Oz Showbiz Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. On average, 20 people are diagnosed with HIV every week in Australia and over 50 per cent of those living with HIV/AIDS live under the poverty line. Oz Showbiz Cares/Equity Fights AIDS demonstrates the Australian entertainment industry's dedication to those living with and those touched by HIV/AIDS.