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Colour and Light: The Art of Sondheim

21/09/2025 Adam Miller⭐

Colour and Light: The Art of Sondheim Rating

★★★★★

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Buckle in. There is going to be a lot of hyperbole in this review. When something is this good, how else can you describe it?

Colour and Light: The Art of Sondheim, presented by Watch This at Theatre Works, is less a musical revue and more a velvet-draped love letter to the genius of Sondheim. It’s the kind of show that slips under your skin, reshapes your idea of what cabaret can be and sets a new standard for how theatre should be made.

Theatre Works is perfect venue for this show. It balances epic with intimate, using the high ceiling to hang long luscious drapes but keeping the audience close enough that we felt every word on the stage. Designer Rob Sowinski has conjured a stage that feels like a plush, lived-in lounge room (art deco drinks trolley and all) with a circle of tiered staging, bathed in the soft glow of vintage table lamps. It’s intimate and luxurious.

What follows is a breathtaking journey through Sondheim’s songbook. Yes, the big numbers are here, but so are the deep cuts and the “why-don’t-more-people-sing-this?” gems. I’m sure Sondheim diehards will know that he wrote songs for the 1990 film, Dick Tracy, but I had no idea and it was a revelation to hear music from the soundtrack on the stage. The show flows with purpose and precision, thanks to the clean, intelligent direction of Melanie Hillman and Dean Drieberg, whose love of the material radiates through every moment. The loose thematic arc is shaped around Seurat’s artistic principles of Order, Design, Tension, Balance, Harmony. The structure gives the evening clarity without ever feeling constrained or contrived. This is cabaret at its best.

And then there’s the music.

Dr Trevor Jones, who arranges, musically directs and performs from the piano, is the beating heart at the centre of the piece. His arrangements are stunning. They are lush, showy when needed, simple when called for and always with a focus on the emotional truth of the songs. This is some of the finest musical storytelling I’ve heard on a Melbourne stage and reminds me why, when done well, musical theatre is one of the greatest art forms ever.

Johanna Allen is a master of her craft. Her ability to navigate the razor-thin line between vocal fireworks and emotional restraint is unmatched. She brings a knowingness to the stage that draws the audience in and lets us share the humour and pathos in all of her delivery. There are countless moments she channels such precision and ache that you could feel the entire theatre holding its breath. This is vocal acting of the highest order.

Vidya Makan broke my heart multiple times across the night. There’s an emotional directness to her performance that’s magnetic. Her choices are always fresh, never predictable and she elevates everything she touches with nuance and grace. Her I’m Still Here was a stand out moment in a evening of stand out moments. She gave us an exquisitely rendered journey from introspective calm to triumphant exuberance with countless little gut-punches along the way.

Nick Simpson-Deeks, as ever, delivers with polish and pinpoint clarity. He finds the architecture in each song, builds it, then knocks it down with a smirk or a sigh. It looks effortless, but this has to have been crafted and perfected over years. His Send in the Clowns has ruined every other version for me. Honestly. It needs to be bottled and prescribed to every aspiring performer and every audience member. It is good for the soul.

Jacob Rozario brings vibrant charisma and thrilling musicality. They shift gears effortlessly from the ridiculous to the sublime and their voice is an instrument of total control and warmth. There wasn’t a moment when their performance wasn’t a captivating blend of playful, detailed and vocally dazzling. His delivery of Can That Boy Foxtrot will stay with me for a long time.

Colour and Light: The Art of Sondheim elicited a palpable love in the room, not just for Sondheim, but for collaboration, for precision, for joy. The audience left buzzing, visibly moved and audibly delighted. As for me? I’ve already booked to see it again.

This is one of the finest tributes to Sondheim I’ve seen anywhere in the world. Don’t miss it.

To book tickets to Colour and Light: The Art of Sondheim , please visit https://www.theatreworks.org.au/2025/colour-and-light.

Photographer: Ben Fon

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Bright Star – A Bluegrass Musical

12/09/202512/09/2025 Cherelle Flemming🥈🦉🎭🎶

Bright Star – A Bluegrass Musical Rating

★★★★★

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The spectacular Bright Star musical presented by Sport For Jove Theatre Company, in association with Hayes Theatre Co, is a spellbinding must-see. Co-Directed by Miranda Middleton and Damien Ryan, Musical Direction by Alec Steedman and produced by Christopher Tomkinson and Isabella Milkovitsch, this creative team – along with their cast – have created an absolute masterpiece.

The magnificent cast left me in awe of their radiating talent. In the theatre world we talk about “triple-threat” performers who can sing, dance, and act. Well, this sensational cast raised the bar adding instrumental skills into the mix-quadruple threats!

This highly acclaimed production transports audiences to the 1920s and ‘40s in the American South. Steve Martin and Edie Brickell were inspired to write Bright Star after discovering an old newspaper article about the “Iron Mountain Baby” – an incredible true story of a baby’s miraculous survival after being thrown from a moving train inside a suitcase. Rescued and adopted by an elderly couple, this miraculous story sparked a reimagining that became this heartwarming, bittersweet tale.

Now to the music: the score is brilliant-one you’ll want to add to your playlist. The powerful bluegrass songs resonate with heartfelt emotion, striking the audience with every note. Congratulations to the Musical Director, Alec Steedman on an outstanding job of directing this talented cast to deliver an exhilarating performance. The impeccable harmonies and the all-round musicianship of the singers and instrumentalists were absolutely inspirational.

Hannah McInerney is sensational in the lead role of Alice Murphy. She took my breath away from the opening number with her angelic vocals, rich with Southern warmth. Her playful, engaging acting was both charming and humorous yet deeply moving in the poignant moments. At times, I was wiping away tears; at others, laughing in hysterics. Hannah kept me captivated throughout her intoxicating performance.

Kaya Byrne gave an electric performance as the charismatic Jimmy Ray. Kaya sings, plays guitar and harmonica with utmost professionalism, and conveys his character’s heartbreak and anguish with depth and honesty. Kaya’s emotive performance was deeply impactful, leaving my heart in my throat.

Cameron Bajraktarevic-Hayward is utterly delightful as Billy Cane. Expertly playing the cello during the show, he delivered the role with skill, energy and heart. His agile dance moves and magnetic stage presence enhanced an already brilliant performance.

Deirdre Khoo shines as Lucy, flawlessly showcasing her talents on accordion, vocals, dance and acting. Her show-stopping moves illuminated Shannon Burns’ masterful choreography. Deidre, alongside Jack Green who played the comedic Daryl, brought plenty of laugh-out-loud moments which kept the audience well entertained. Jack Green also played the sincere Daddy Cane, a contrasting character full of emotional depth and sincerity.

Genevieve Goldman, as the comedic relief character Margo,brought dynamic energy to the story. With fabulous comedic timing, striking vocals and impressive acting, Genevieve provided an engaging performance.

As the villainous Mayor, Seán van Doornum was remarkable. Portraying a detestable character convincingly can be difficult, but his superb performance captured the proud, unfeeling, and truly evil nature of the role.

Katrina Retallick and Rupert Reid as Mama and Daddy Murphy were a powerhouse duo. Katrina’s stunning vocals, especially her harmonies with Hannah, were unforgettable. Her raw intensity in the harrowing scenes amplified the emotional impact. Rupert’s portrayal of an uncompromising father, weighed down by regret, was equally striking—his natural, convincing delivery perfectly suited the show’s era.

Bright Star will make you laugh, cry and fall in love with its story and musical score. This impactful production, with its incredible stellar cast, is not to be missed. I am certain you will fall in love with it, just as I have.

To book tickets to Bright Star – A Bluegrass Musical, please visit https://www.sportforjove.com.au/bright-star-2025.

Photographer: Robert Catto

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Tarzan: The Stage Musical

24/09/202512/09/2025 Debra Campbell🥇🔥🦉🎭🎶

Tarzan: The Stage Musical Rating

★★★★★

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The stage is set – I look at an enormous map of Africa, sails caught up with shipwrecked boxes and listen to the atmospheric opening sounds of the African jungle to soon be pierced by a baby’s cry – Tarzan’s cry, though he is not yet named ‘Tarzan’ – the next two hours will be his story.

TARZAN The Stage Musical has swung into life in Melbourne over the past couple of weeks and I’m so happy to have been invited to one of their final shows for review. I’ve seen three shows this week and this was my favourite – the other two were professional city shows so that’s saying something. My daughter could not believe she had been so engrossed when it was “interval already”. We sat next to one of the ‘Annies’ having a night off from playing her own famous character in the city currently, and when I asked her at interval what she thought thusfar she eagerly replied ‘I’m LOVING it!’ (excited to see her singing teacher in the cast too)

Get on the website to book the last tickets remaining until Sunday 14 Sept.
Ticket link: https://nationaltheatre.org.au/tarzan/

The blurb on the show told me:
TARZAN – The Stage Musical brings Disney’s epic animated film to life on stage in a high-flying action adventure, complete with aerial choreography and unforgettable music to the soundtrack of Phil Collins. Tarzan struggles to find where he truly belongs, torn between the animal kingdom and the human world. With book by Tony Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang, at its core TARZAN is a story of identity, love, and the universal quest for connection.

Typically, the Disney TARZAN draws interest of course from adventurous kids, but there were more adults in the audience woo-hooing tonight and much of it for Joshua Russell as ‘Tarzan’ – the exact required look he definitely has and demanding skills for this unusual role; he strongly mastered those vine swings and strode a masterful ‘ape walk’ – his body must now be well adapted to that gait. Same for all the gorillas, excelling in their emulation of animal behavior and their acrobatic and dance which combine to give a seamless presentation of orderly uncontrolled chaos – there is so much going on, it’s exciting!

Usually I have a preference for certain characters by the end of a show, but in this one I didn’t, I liked them all and they were all played exceptionally well.

Seriousness and laughs from Jane and her father Prof. Porter were fun moments, played by Emily Robinson straight out of graduating from the VCA and Drew Holmes with an impressive history in shows too long to list.

Sarah Murr as ‘Kala’ (Tarzan’s ape-mother) is pure curated talent. It did not surprise me later to read about her role recently playing in Hadestown at Her Majesty’s. Matching up Sarah’s talents alongside Devon Braithwaite as ‘Kerchak’ (Tarzan’s ape-father) was perfect casting, and no wonder – he trained at The Boston Conservatory (USA). I’d love to see these two play again together in another show as non-animals after witnessing what they can do with a non-human role.

The scene where the gorillas inquisitively meet Jane and her Dad was both touching and tragic. The loss of one of Tarzan’s ape family had an empathetic music choice and the gun shots were unnervingly real, as was the formidable acting of Nick Eynaud as Clayton, jungle guide who had another goal on his agenda.

Emma Wilby Owers playing ‘Terk’ (Tarzan’s ape-buddy) nailed every line and expression, body movement and reaction. Another one to watch – there’s a heap of stars in this show!

Ollie Pearce as ‘Leopard’ brought the adrenalin rush, well focused with that slyly power and the Ensemble working every bit as hard as all the leads, sometimes more so on the energy required for partner throws and crazy wildness.

Finally, shout out to Young Tarzans, Daniel Lim and Sebastian Dovey Cribbes, both would have had an absolutely unique experience in this script and who wouldn’t want to play ‘Tarzan’ learning how to fruit pick and hang upside down. Whichever youthful Tarzan you see when you go along to watch you have to admire what these juniors in theatre can do and the confidence they have – theatre is so great for kids.

As always, I love the memories theatre can help recapture and looking later at the detailed program for this production, I have a mental flashback to watching a much earlier Tarzan on screen; Olympic swimmer Johnny Weismuller. Certainly not like the vivid colours and amazing action I saw everywhere on stage tonight with hundreds of green hanging vines, twisting and tumbling acrobats, dancers defying what their bodies can do naturally, but those calmer old black and white movies we’d sit down to watch on weekends and after which my brother would disappear to be ‘Tarzan’ in our backyard Willow tree. Yes, this is a story which has stood the test of time in any format with no mobile phones needed (they don’t work in the jungle anyway).

Oh – and hold out for that distinctive Tarzan jungle call, how does one describe that?

Congratulations to all the cast and the James Terry Collective creative team, you have all done yourselves proud!

Playing: August 29- September 14, 2025
Venue: The National Theatre, St Kilda
Website: www.tarzanstagemusical.com.au

CAST
Tarzan- Joshua Russell
Jane – Emily Robinson
Kala – Sara Murr
Kerchak – Devon Braithwaite (alt. Joti Van Carlos Gore)
Terk – Emma Wilby
Prof. Porter – Drew Holmes
Clayton – Nick Eynaud
Young Tarzan – Daniel Lim & Sebastian Dovey Cribbes
Ensemble – Simon Fairweather, Brittany Ford, Josephine Lopes, Sammy Allsop, Matilda Simmons, Ollie Pearce, Liimei Lim, Adriana Pannuzzo Emma Wilby, Gabriel Marsilli, Ayril Borce, Arjun Tiwari, Patrick Friedlander, Nicholas Dugdale.

TARZAN The Musical is Directed by Alister Smith (Elvis a Revolution, The Boys in the Band), Choreographed by Michael Ralph (The Wedding Singer, Legally Blonde), and Musical Direction by Claire Healy (SIX the Musical)

Adapted from the story “Tarzan of the Apes” by Edgar Rice Burroughs and originally Produced on Broadway by Disney Theatrical Productions. TARZAN ® owned by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. Licensed exclusively by Music Theatre International (Australasia).

To book tickets to Tarzan: The Stage Musical, please visit https://nationaltheatre.org.au/tarzan/.

For information on further shows see: https://www.jamesterrycollective.com.au/

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Shrek: The Musical ‘Inclusical’ by STaM

31/08/2025 Debra Campbell🥇🔥🦉🎭🎶

Shrek: The Musical Rating

★★★★★

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Set in a mythical “once upon a time” sort of land, this is the story of a hulking green ogre who, after being mocked and feared his entire life by anything that crosses his path, retreats to an ugly green swamp to exist in happy isolation. Suddenly, a gang of homeless fairy-tale characters (Pinocchio, Cinderella, the Three Pigs, you name it) raid his sanctuary, saying they’ve been evicted by the vertically challenged Lord Farquaad. So Shrek strikes a deal: I’ll get your homes back, if you give me my home back! But when Shrek and Farquaad meet, the Lord strikes a deal of his own: He’ll give the fairy-tale characters their homes back, if Shrek rescues Princess Fiona. Shrek obliges, yet finds something appealing–something strange and different–about this pretty princess. He likes her a lot, but why does she always run off when the sun sets?

We arrive in the Alexander Theatre foyer to see a swamp hut setting the feel of Shrek’s humble abode, a queue in the merch line entices us to buy some support cookies in theme and a spotlighted ‘green’ carpet for pics with our program.

This show is no ordinary version; an ‘inclusical’ by the one and only Stars and The Moon theatre company for all abilities known as “STaM” in Melbourne – with care they pair up kind ‘castmates’ and those having a special need to give them more confidence to perform; though you envisage it might, it does not detract from the show’s appeal or amazingness having two people play the one character. In fact, it definitely adds to the fun!! The sets, costuming and lighting are also nothing short of professional and the packed audience agrees with constant cheering. If you’ve read enough, you actually only have a slim chance to currently secure tickets as most shows are sold out!

We sit down in our ‘green’ tonight to hear firstly a comical introduction over the mic saying no gingerbread men have been harmed in making the show haha and that everyone can get up and dance and wiggle in their seats. Then ‘The Magic Mirror’ above us featuring Paralympic gold medalist Dylan Alcott entertains us with his one-liners and opens the show in Clayton where we are about to see a journey of embracing who you are.

We know this is going to be a good night as ‘Big Bright Beautiful World’ hits us very big and very bright! I’m already a bit emotional at watching the castmates carefully coax some of the performers onto the stage and within seconds they are all quite at home, many excited doing their second or third show with STaM.

Shrek played by Cameron Miller and Zac Parkes is larger than life as always and they have him down true to the Shrek we all know from the movie, even his speaking voice is almost identical.

Princess Fiona played by Chelsea Dawson and Lottie Coombes is just gorgeous, they both smash every song with their vocal ability and certainly a duet to long remember.

Two of my faves were Asher Stanton and Jordan French playing ‘Pinocchio’ and Eitan Meyerowitz and Zac Chester playing Big Bad Wolf, but really, ALL of the fairytale characters are FANTASTIC to watch and they do lots of funny quirky things on the side.

My eldest daughter, an avid musical theatre lover and regular performer in shows herself, came with me to this show and she was saying all the way through ‘he’s good’ ‘she’s good’ ‘they’re good’ in every scene. She was super impressed by the ‘Dragon’ singers but particularly loves to watch the ensemble, so never think you aren’t noticed if that’s you, because you surely are. e.g. the dancing mice feet behind the curtain (how cuuute), the girls with the ‘Awww’ ‘Gasp’ ‘Laugh’ signs (instructions for us viewers), everyone under that enormous red creature (you made us love watching her every move), and the Humpties who picked up the bricks to carry them all off without dropping them – well done!!!

Shout out to Gabe Harari and Evan Lever for their kneeling, knee walking ‘Lord Farquaad’ – both were absolutely hilarious!! Equally hilarious were Guillaume Gentil & Daniel Geng as ‘Donkey’ – I don’t think I have laughed so much from one character in any show I’ve ever enjoyed.

Dance timing in straight lines you might not expect to be exact in a show with limited abilities for some of the performers, but they were fabulous and every smile at each other and movement showed how much they loved being up there together. So many beautiful costumes too brought the whole live energetic picture together. We were so close to the stage as well we could feel the excited enthusiasm and nothing could beat the flag waving by all – even all of us in the audience got that green flag stuck on our seat and flipped it around like crazy!

All in all, a swamp load of serious talent in this show – you all deserved that full standing ovation and I’m sure there were plenty of proud tears from family and friends too, CONGRATULATIONS EVERYONE!

Lauren McKenna – Director
Michaela Raitman – Producer
Campbell Borello – Production Manager
SHREK – Cameron Miller & Zac Parkes
PRINCESS FIONA – Chelsea Dawson & Lottie Coomes (Covers – Jessica Mond, Lizzie Locke)
DONKEY – Guillaume Gentil & Daniel Geng
LORD FARQUAAD – Gabe Harari & Evan Lever
DRAGON – Dylan Don Paul (Dilonce) & Thanh-Tuok Autran

FAIRYTALE ENSEMBLE – Asher Stanton & Jordan French (Pinocchio), Ruth Ben-Danan & Alanna Baschera (Sugarplum Fairy/Gingy), Eitan Meyerowitz & Zac Chester (Big Bad Wolf), Teige Cordiner, Aidyn Patrzalek & Devin Goralsky (three Pigs), Mark J Rintoull, Zoe Better, Mia Decleva (The Bears), Ebony May & Katie McMillan (Fairy Godmother), Georgia Ellen & Danni Miller (Wicked Witch), Sarahbell Turvey & Tahli McLean (Duckling/Teen Fiona), Sayer Delves & Caomhe McCooey (White Rabbit/Baby Fiona), Alexander Gilbert & Jack Taylor (Peter Pan/Pied Piper), Jaimie Chapman & Tamara Stanton (Goldilocks), Jackson Harris & Mark Polonsky (Mad Hatter), Natasha Freiberg & Ellie Goldenberg (Humpty), Dani Filip & Shira Etzion (Hansel & Gretel), Jessica Mond & Jemima Scerri (Little Red)

DULOC ENSEMBLE – Tahlia Mandile, Charli Cantoni-Bud, Amy Tapp, Noah Prendergast, Adrian Salvatore, Lexi Kelsall, Ruby Alford, Alice Johnston, Carly Gauci, Lexie Goldenberg, Michaela Sacho, Kahli Anquetil-Kneale, Nineveh Dewhurst, Noa Godsell, Joshua Yip

GUARDS & DRAGON ENSEMBLE – Benji Kalkopf, Harry Stott, Brendan Saffer, Gilbert Esse, Tarus Fiu, Chris Patrzalek, Daniel Kraus, Sue Lesnjak, Lilly Lawrence, Lyndall Peachman, Jakob Demirel, Dan Don, Sienna Boorer, Savannah Mandile, Hayley Walsh, Raechelle Sibbing.

To find out more how you or someone you know with special needs and perhaps limited abilities can be involved with this very special theatre group see https://www.starsandthemoon.org/

Duration: Approx. 2 hours and 30 minutes including a 20 minute intermission. The show is easy access for all including assisted hearing, seeing-eye-dog friendly and wheelchairs of all sizes welcome. Wheelchairs on stage too with the performers loving every minute acting it up in this inclusical!

Venue: Alexander Theatre, Monash University Clayton Campus, 48 Exhibition Walk, Clayton. Free parking is available on site (more info). Please allow adequate time when planning your visit to find parking and the venue. Sometimes it is a 10minute walk from the car into the theatre.

To book tickets to Shrek: The Musical, please visit https://www.starsandthemoon.org/shrek.

Photographer: Matthew Chen

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