NOVA Music Theatre Inc.

Four young Melbourne actresses were announced today to play the role of Jenna’s daughter Lulu in the Melbourne season of Broadway’s smash-hit musical WAITRESS, which arrives at Her Majesty’s Theatre Melbourne from 1 May. Lulu will be played by Stevie Denton (5 years old, from North Warrandyte), Lola Inman (5, from Langwarrin), Ruby Marshall (5, from Port Melbourne) and Evie Papas (6, from Templestowe). Tickets for new performances have gone on sale today for both the Melbourne and Sydney seasons, on sale at WaitresstheMusical.com.au

Leading the cast as Jenna will be Natalie Bassingthwaighte (Chicago, Shirley Valentine), while Gabriyel Thomas (Cats, Sister Act) and Mackenzie Dunn (Grease, Annie) play Becky and Dawn, Jenna’s coworkers at the diner. Charismatic star of stage and screen Rob Mills (& Juliet, Wicked) will play Dr Pomatter, and legendary actor John Waters (Jesus Christ Superstar, Oliver!) will be Joe, the owner of the diner. Keanu Gonzalez (Annie, West Side Story) will play Earl, Gareth Isaac (Elf the Musical, Mary Poppins) will play the role of Ogie, John Xintavelonis (The Wizard of Oz, The Lion King) will play Cal, and Annie Aitken (Guys & Dolls, The Sound of Music) will be the Jenna Alternate. The ensemble and swing cast comprises Cameron Boxall, Alexandra Cashmere, Ethan Jones, Dwayne Mitchell, Joseph Naim, Conor Neylon, Belle Parkinson, Emily Robinson, Elandrah Tavares, Bree Tipoki and Stephanie Wall.

“This inspiring show was a massive hit on Broadway where it played for almost four years, and was a huge success in the West End and across the world. WAITRESS has become a ‘must see’ musical, with its memorable music by Sara Bareilles and universal themes of hope and resilience,” said producer John Frost for Crossroads Live. “Get your tickets now to see this sensational Australian cast perform this moving and original musical.”

Inspired by Adrienne Shelly’s beloved film, and brought to life by a trailblazing female-led creative team, including a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson, an original, uplifting score by Grammy winner Sara Bareilles (Love Song, Brave) and direction by Tony winner Diane Paulus, WAITRESS is the irresistible Broadway hit about resilience, friendship and hope that has captured hearts worldwide.

This heartwarming and empowering musical tells the story of Jenna, a small-town waitress and expert pie maker who longs to escape her rocky marriage and start again. When a baking contest, an unexpected new romance and the support of her fellow waitresses offer her a taste of change, Jenna discovers that the secret ingredient to happiness might be closer than she ever imagined.

“Treat yourself to a slice of 5 Star musical pie” – The Times
“Sweet, sassy, passionate & delightful!” – New York Magazine
“Simply delightful! A glorious reminder that life is messy and wondrous!” – The Washington Post

WAITRESS made history on Broadway with the four top creative spots in a show being filled by women – Sara Bareilles (music and lyrics), Jessie Nelson (book), Lorin Latarro (choreography) and Diane Paulus (direction). It opened on Broadway in April 2016 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, where it ran until January 2020. WAITRESS was originally produced by Barry & Fran Weissler and Norton and Elayne Herrick.

Sweet, sassy and soul-stirring, WAITRESS is “a little slice of heaven” (Entertainment Weekly) and “made from the finest ingredients” (Time Out). It’s a feel-good celebration of second chances, and the magic of a well-made pie. Everyone deserves a slice of happiness!

WAITRESSTHEMUSICAL.COM.AU
#WaitressAu @WaitressAu

See lead cast announcement video here
Download cast photos here – password “Jenna”

MELBOURNE SEASON DETAILS
Venue: Her Majesty’s Theatre
Season: From 1 May
Performance Times: Tue-Thurs at 7pm, Fri-Sat 7:30pm, Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm, 3pm or 6pm (performance times vary each week)
Prices: From $69.90 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings: waitressthemusical.com.au or phone 13 28 49

SYDNEY SEASON DETAILS
Venue: Sydney Lyric Theatre
Season: From 1 August
Performance Times: Tue-Thurs at 7pm, Fri-Sat 7:30pm, Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm, 3pm or 6pm (performance times vary each week)
Prices: From $69.90 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings: waitressthemusical.com.au or 136 100

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Rehearsals have commenced for the hilarious hit Broadway musical Gutenberg! The Musical! which opens at the Hayes Theatre on April 10. Directed by Richard Carroll (Pirates of Penzance, Murder for Two) this joyously funny and stupidly clever musical from the book writers of Beetlejuice gets its first Australian production since it broke Broadway records in 2024. Tickets are selling fast at hayestheatre.com.au

Starring as best friends Doug and Bud are Sydney Theatre Award winners Stephen Anderson (Titanique) and Ryan González (In The Heights). Anderson is a NIDA graduate who most recently played Donny in Sydney Theatre Company’s world premiere adaptation of The Shiralee. Prior to this, he played Ruth Dewitt Bukater in Titanique, which earned him a Sydney Theatre Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical. Stephen played Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and was an original cast member of the Australian production of Matilda the Musical playing Sergei, as well as understudying Miss Trunchbull and Mr Wormwood.

Ryan González is a dynamic triple-threat performer with a career spanning cabaret, film and theatre. They are most known for their Sydney Theatre Award-winning role as Usnavi in In The Heights across Australia. Ryan recently performed in Calamity Jane at the Sydney Opera House and is the Choreographer and Assistant Director of Head Over Heels, currently playing at the Hayes. Later this year, Ryan will also appear the upcoming World Premiere production of Mackenzie for Bell Shakespeare. Standby Bud/Doug is Daniel Raso (Beetlejuice, Jesus Christ Superstar).

Director Richard Caroll said “This show is so brilliantly written – it’s a gift to any director or performer who loves comedy, and Stephen and Ryan have been making me tear up with laughter since they first walked into rehearsals. I just marvel at the way they work so hard, and yet make it look so easy. That’s the key to great comedy, and I think we all need some of that at the moment. These two are going to be a double-act for the ages.”

Fresh off its hit Broadway success, Gutenberg! The Musical! is an outrageously clever and frequently absurd comedy that affectionately spoofs the world of musical theatre. Written by Tony and Emmy Award nominees Scott Brown and Anthony King, this love letter to friendship and wild ambition is told through the lens of two aspiring writers, Bud and Doug, earnestly pitching their highly inaccurate musical about the invention of the printing press, blending infectious enthusiasm, witty songs, and mind-boggling ‘historical’ twists”. Guttenberg! The Musical! is an irresistibly irreverent celebration of creativity, resilience, and the sheer joy of putting on a show – even when no one asked you to.

First look at rehearsal images can be found here
First look at rehearsal footage can be found here and on You Tube

GUTENBERG! THE MUSICAL!
Starring Stephen Anderson and Ryan Gonzalez
Director Richard Carroll
Music Director Zara Stanton
Choreographer Shannon Burns
Set Designer Lochie Odgers
Costume Designer Lily Mateljan
Lighting Designer Véronique Benett
Sound Designer Liam Roche
Assistant Director Jeremi Campese
Production Manager Abbey Pace
Stage Manager Sherydan Simson
Assistant Stage Manager Georgia Sealey

SEASON DETAILS
Venue: Hayes Theatre Co, 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point
Season: 10 April – 10 May
Times: Tues 6.30pm, Wed-Sat 7.30pm, Thurs 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sunday 5pm
Price: Tickets from $79 Adult, $69 Concession/Group, $60 Under 35, Previews from $69
Bookings: www.hayestheatre.com.au | (02) 8065 7337

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Pymble Players’ production of The Heartbreak Choir’, by Aidan Fennessy, at Zenith Theatre in Chatswood, is brilliant. The Zenith Theatre is one of Sydney’s gems. There’s something magical about a community theatre group performing a play based on a community choir. Choirs foster connections and the audience certainly connected with this production.

When a tragedy rocks a township, it dramatically affects relationships. The local choir splits into two groups. Through this upheaval, ‘The Heartbreak Choir’, emerges. A group of people with a range of ages and backgrounds, come together. These individuals are in search of their own voice and in doing so, support each other. The choir rehearses several iconic Australian pop songs in acapella-style. If you are fan of Paul Kelly, Natalie Imbruglia, Hunters and Collectors, you are in for a treat. All the performers can sing beautifully and their harmonising is spot-on. Many people in the audience were joyfully humming along.

Being an Aidan Fennessy play, the dialogue is witty, poignant and impactful. The Gospel feeling of the songs helps the characters traverse all their emotions. Barbara (psychologist and choir leader), is joined by Mack (an outspoken herb farmer), Aseni ( a heavily pregnant African doctor), Totty (a fluro-vest wearing entrepreneur), Savannah ( an anxious young woman, who whispers rather than talks, yet has a powerful singing voice), Peter (a local policeman with some interesting dance moves) and Beau (Peter’s son who forms a bond with Savannah). These characters prove that what unites us is greater than what divides us.

The life-affirming powers of music are celebrated in this show. When tragedy occurs, it’s often an involvement in music that will enact the healing process and soothe the soul. Playwright, Aidan Fennessy, was dying upon completing this play. Fennessy’s own sense of mortality adds an enormous amount of gravitas to the work. There’s a real urgent plea for people to overcome and collaborate.

The finale, ‘Lanterns’, (Birds of Tokyo song), is sung with such anthem-like passion, that everyone around me joined in. It’s lovely to see members of the Pymble Players on-stage with their lanterns, to add to the spectacle.

Heather Pitt has directed ‘The Heartbreak Choir’, with obvious enthusiasm, as she also plays the choir lead role, of Barbara. Kristin Kok, Chantal Harrison, Gina Willison, Aja Elshaikh, Trent Gardiner and Will Evans, perform their roles with aplomb. Mark Pigot, Musical Director, could be snapped up by The Voice or Australian Idol, as the singing was top-class. Wayne Chee and Nicholas Pang, did a great job with the lighting and sound. Heather Pitt also worked with Daniel Ferris to create a charming set. I had previously seen the MTC and Ensemble Theatre productions of ‘The Heartbreak Choir’. Pymble Players certainly have the heart and soul to match them.

To book tickets to The Heartbreak Choir, please visit https://pymbleplayers.com.au/the-heartbreak-choir.

Photographer: David Allsopp

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