Shuffle off to Nunawading in Melbourne to see 42nd Street PLAYING NOW at The Round. By far my favourite luxury theatre in the suburbs with one of my favourite community theatre companies, you will be toe tapping from start to finish.
This is a tap dancing show so it’s definitely my kind of show and if you’ve ever tapped, wanted to tap or just love the golden age of tapping on Broadway, this is also your show!
Produced by Babirra Music Theatre I already know it’s going to be stupendous not only because their productions are always of the highest quality, but also because they are celebrating their 70th year this year and that deserves very special shows indeed. Note here they do Disney’s ‘Frozen’ The Broadway Musical next. You can receive a discount for booking at the same time this show of ‘42nd Street’ (on now ‘til 7 June) AND ‘Frozen’ (on October 1-11).
Ticket link: https://www.theround.com.au/42ndStreet
The curtains open and a silly but clever voice reminder tells us to turn our phones off, that’s the first laugh and it’s followed by many more.
This is an old-fashioned musical set in 1933 but it never gets old. With ‘42nd STREET’ up in lights on the backdrop we’re “doing a show” with a cast said to be the “best in town”, and they are.
Chelsea Hyde takes the lead as naïve ‘Peggy Sawyer’, shy and cute with advanced tap skills and all-round talent. No wonder she got discovered for this role similar to her character seeking stardom.
Killer vocals are astonishing from the incredible Nicole Kapiniaris-Anson suitably playing the accomplished ‘Dorothy Brock’.
Richard Thomas as ‘Julian Marsh’ is exceptional in his acting and tops every sung note.
‘Billy Lawlor’ is played by Oliver Pinkett and I really felt he was a constant standout. When I see in the program he has dance trained for over 15 years, that’s no surprise.
Comical moments where Dorothy jetés off stage is so funny after she’s purposely portrayed a lack in dance ability, the multiple kisses between Peggy and Julian are well done in fun and ‘Maggie Jones’ (played by Suzie Ryrie) convincing ‘Abner Dillon’ (played by Tim Maloney) to let Dorothy go, is just one part when these two add their own touch of humour. ‘Bert Barry’ (played by Jeremy Russo) was another and the favourite character of my husband who continued to laugh at basically anything he did or said.
I loved the scene using light behind a giant white curtain creating shadows big and small and I also loved the lunch with Maggie and Peggy. Five stars here to Jordan French, Hayley Wootten, Annabelle Windsor and Madeleine Magetti for making this extra engaging with great interaction on stage.
The rest of the girls tapping their hearts out and stepping up in ‘bit’ parts performed every tiny morsel of their role with the biggest personalities and SMILES! Abby James, Alivia Stewart, Ella Moeller, Jade Phillips, Chelsea Fensom, Nina Goeghegan, Holly Bromley, Sheona Gregg and Erin Jankelowitz, were all an absolute JOY to watch every second. The umbrella dancers were gorgeous, and particularly on the fab costuming I note those very unique giant flowers!
Rob Blowers, Joshua Houston, Bradley West, Sean Wharley, Simon Evans, Jack Moeller, Alex Anderson, Caleb Waterworth, Andrew Steen, James Kaiser, Jacob McKenna and Chris Anderson – all AMAZING!! So fantastic to see so many guys up there tapping on those steps (especially in the top hats) and being the extra dancers, singers, actors throughout, or as in Rob’s case expertly playing ‘Pat Denning’. Smaller roles are not lesser roles, they are the lifeblood beneath.
I imagine the excellent set construction took some effort with use of many different projected digital backdrops working so seamlessly that sometimes it was hard to see where the digital imagery started and the tangible set pieces began. Loved the massive dimes too, but the folding train was a showstopper!
Above all, you are going to hear extraordinary music by the live Orchestra and see some extraordinary dancing throughout the entirety of this show; certainly more tapping than you’ll see at anything else.
Yes, if you love tap dancing you simply can’t miss 42nd Street; if you love musicals you simply can’t miss 42nd Street; and finally, if you love supporting local community theatre whatever it be, you simply cannot miss 42nd Street.
Do yourself a favour, grab your old time musical loving friends and make it the best night (or matinee) out. I thank the wonderful Babirra Music Theatre team for giving me that chance today.
President – Jaison Hoernel
Director – Alan Burrows
Musical Director – Marty Macaulay
Choreographer – Susan Lewis
Costume Designer – Ely Tapp
Set Designer – Chris Anderson
Production Manager – Jo Brincat
Production and Props – Steve Cavell
Stage Manager – Arlene Miller
Lighting Designer – Deryk Hartwick
Sound Designer – Marcello Lo Ricco
Orchestra – Shirley White, Brad Slater, James Bradley, Catherine Buxton, Michelle Brown, Joel Dullard, Matthew Holzinger, Jenter Zilm, Sam Fitzgerald, Sean Lambert, Sienna Couzens, Jonty Smith, Ryan Parks, Bryn Bowen, Darryl Barron, Cody Legett, Sean McBride.
To find out more see: https://babirra.org.au/
To book tickets to 42nd Street, please visit https://www.theround.com.au/42ndStreet.
Photographer: Matthew Chen
