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Afterglow To Receive Its Australian Premiere In 2026

12/11/2025 Breaking News

Ian Phipps

S. Asher Gelman’s international hit play AFTERGLOW is heading down under for its highly anticipated Australian premiere! AFTERGLOW will play at Melbourne’s Chapel off Chapel from 30 January and at the Eternity Playhouse, Sydney from 26 February. The stellar cast of three comprises Julian Curtis (Gaslight, Cock, Dance Academy), gold medal winning Olympic diver Matthew Mitcham (Strangers in Between, Jock Night, The Pool) and Matthew Predny (Titanique, Avenue Q, Kinky Boots). When Josh and Alex, a married couple in an open relationship, invite Darius to share their bed for a night, a new and intimate connection is ignited. As all three men come to terms with their individual definitions of love, loyalty, and trust, relationships are challenged and futures are shaken. AFTERGLOW is a raw, funny and sensual exploration of polyamory, commitment, and modern love.

“I couldn't be more excited to be bringing AFTERGLOW to Australia!,” said writer/director S. Asher Gelman. “What began as an attempt to make sense of a painful chapter involving my own experience with loving more than one person has fundamentally altered the course of my life, and continues to do so. AFTERGLOW doesn't provide any answers; instead it asks questions about both our individual and collective relationships to love, loyalty and trust, and I truly cannot wait for Aussie audiences to experience this labour of love, now nine years in the making.”

“Funny and sensual” ★★★★ - Queer Guru
“Achingly beautiful” ★★★★ - Everything Theatre
“Passionate and poignant” ★★★★ - Revstan
“Incredible… should not be missed!” ★★★★ - Theatre Reviews

After its critical success Off-Broadway and a season which ran for 18 months, and productions around the globe, AFTERGLOW now brings its modern, intimate exploration of desire, honesty and connection to Australian audiences!

Brandon Haagenson and Patrick Reilly in AFTERGLOW New York production (c) Mati Gelman.jpg

AFTERGLOW
Playwright/Director/Choreographer S. Asher Gelman
Lighting Designer Jamie Roderick
Set Designer Ann Beyersdofter
Producer Midnight Theatricals

SEASON DETAILS

MELBOURNE
Venue: Chapel Off Chapel, Little Chapel Street, Prahran
Dates: 30 January - 21 February
Performance Times: Mon-Thurs 7:30pm, Fri-Sat: 6:30pm & 9:30pm, Sun 5pm
Tickets: $69 (Transaction fees may apply)
Bookings: chapeloffchapel.com.au

SYDNEY
Venue: Eternity Playhouse, Burton Street, Darlinghurst
Dates: 26 February - 22 March
Performance Times: Tues-Thurs 7:30pm, Fri-Sat: 6:30pm & 9:30pm (or 2pm & 7pm 28 Feb only), Sun 5pm
Tickets: $69 (Transaction fees may apply)
Bookings: www.afterglowtheplay.com.au

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The Whale

12/11/2025 Rob McKinnon🌟🎭

The Whale Rating

★★★★★

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The University of Adelaide Theatre Guild has a long history of delivering excellent theatre and this interpretation of Samuel D. Hunter’s The Whale is a worthy inclusion to this formidable tradition.

As the audience enters the intimate space of the Little Theatre they are immediately confronted with the large two-hundred-and-seventy-kilogram form of Charlie (Sam Wiseman) correcting papers on his couch amongst the disorder of his fast-food containers and wrappers. Charlie is an internet English tutor who has isolated himself in his apartment after the death of his partner Alan. Charlie continues to eat himself to death despite the ire and medical assistance of his only friend Liz (Annie Matsouliadis) who is a nurse and the sister of Alan.

As Charlie has a heart episode, he encounters Mormon Elder Thomas (Liam James) knocking at his front door and who attempts to spiritually save Charlie. Before he dies, Charlie wants to reconcile with his alienated and bitter daughter Ellie (Tianna Cooper). Later his estranged former wife, Mary (Jessica Merrick), who he left for Alan, discovers what has become of Charlie and she learns of his attempts to re-engage with Ellie.

Hunter’s poignant story embraces the themes of redemption, love, connection and grief. It was transformed into a very successful film adaptation earning Brendan Fraser an Oscar. In this production veteran director Geoff Brittain returns the story, as he states, to “the intimacy of live theatre, we return Hunter’s original vision: a story that unfolds in real time, in a single room, yet manages to encompass a world of longing, regret and possibility.” Brittain achieves a beautifully touching production.

The closeness of the Little Theatre aids in bringing a visceral element to the production as the audience is brought close to the chaos of Charlie's apartment. Production Manager, Ray Trowbridge, and Stage Manager/Set Designer, Leah Klemm, are to be congratulated for the use of the space - all that is missing is the smell to fully bring the apartment alive.
A part of the great success of this production is the physical appearance of Charlie. Bree Roberts’ foam latex prosthetics along with the makeup and costume by Gillian Cordell and Sandy Faithfull brings an outstanding element of realism helping to portray the difficulties of Charlie’s movements and struggles of his large body size, adding greatly to the development of the Charlie character.

Sam Wiseman is commended for the balance of seamlessly handling the difficulty of the physicality of the large body suit with his brilliant portrayal of Charlie. Wiseman’s performance is affecting and impressive. Additionally, the rest of the cast, Annie Matsouliadis, Liam James, Tianna Cooper and Jessica Merrick are superb in their roles.

This production of The Whale from every perspective is a moving triumph worthy of full houses for its entire run.

Reviewed by Rob McKinnon

The Whale remaining sessions are:

Wednesday 12 November at 7:30pm
Thursday 13 November at 7:30pm
Friday 14 November at 7:30pm
Saturday 15 November at 3pm
Sunday 16 November at 3pm

Venue: Little Theatre
The Cloisters, Victoria Drive, University of Adelaide

Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1324506

To book tickets to The Whale, please visit https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1324506.

Photographer: Richard Parkhill

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Brisbane Annies And Child Cast Announced!

10/11/2025 Breaking News

Producer John Frost for Crossroads Live today revealed the young actors who will be playing the roles of Annie and her orphan friends in the upcoming Brisbane season of the ever-popular Broadway musical Annie, which opens at the Lyric Theatre, QPAC next month. Three gifted young performers will share the titular role of Annie – Matilda Casey, Dakota Chanel and Isabella Hayden. Playing the role of Pepper will be Stella Shiels-Winters and Kensi Simpson, while Violet Knight and Aenorah Wallace will share the role of Duffy. As Kate will be Jessica Kime and Aubrie Wildman, with Tessie played by Zara Boldery and Sienna Hannant. July will be played by Tilly Love and Claire Taylor, and Molly by Indigo Ohlin and Macy Salvana. Emily Birch, Dakota Bolt, Charlotte Edwards and Aneka Mitchell have been cast as Friday.

They will join the stellar cast led by Anthony Warlow as Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, the role which took him to Broadway, and Debora Krizak as Miss Hannigan. Rising star Mackenzie Dunn plays Lily St. Regis, Keanu Gonzalez steps into the role of “Rooster” Hannigan, while Amanda Lea LaVergne plays Grace Farrell. The original Yellow Wiggle, Greg Page, plays President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his musical theatre debut.

The talented ensemble cast is comprised of Luke Alleva, Cameron Boxall, Tim Brown, Emily Casey, Nakita Clarke, Andrew Dunne, Sebastian Johnston, Anna Mallows, Chloë Marshall, Kristina McNamara, Tom New, Ryan Orphel, Madeline Pratt, Lisa Sontag, Suzanne Steele and Dean Vince.

“I’m extremely excited to announced this wonderfully talented group of young actresses who will be playing Annie and her orphan friends in Brisbane. They were chosen from hundreds of girls who registered for an audition, and all stood out as marvellous performers. They join the rest of the cast led by Anthony, Deb, Mackenzie, Keanu, Amanda and Greg – we have a spectacular company,” said John Frost. “This is a magnificent new production of Annie for a whole new generation. Line up now to buy your tickets to one of the most delightful and inspiring musicals of all time. Don’t wait until Tomorrow!”

Sydney child cast in ANNIE (c) Daniel Boud (1).jpg

This inspiring new Australian production, directed by Karen Johnson Mortimer and choreographed by Mitchell Woodcock, has been playing in Sydney and Melbourne to packed audiences and standing ovations. Here is what critics have to say about this unmissable production: ★★★★★ “The production was a knockout” – Melbournise Me; ★★★★ “Filled with optimism, joy and hope … a great reason for a night on the town” – Time Out; ★★★★ ½ “Annie offers a fun night out with its simple, classic storyline, beloved by many for generations” – Theatre Matters; ★★★★ “Theatrical sunshine” - Limelight; “This production is a triumph” – Australian Stage; “Annie proves the golden age of musical theatre is here…Broadway is so back” - thescoop.au

One of the most awarded and loved musicals of all time, with its iconic score featuring classics like It’s the Hard-Knock Life, Tomorrow, Easy Street and N.Y.C, Annie is truly a timeless masterpiece, with a book and score written by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin.

Based on the popular Harold Gray comic strip “Little Orphan Annie” which debuted in 1924 and ran for over 80 years, the musical Annie burst into popularity in 1977 when it opened on Broadway. The musical won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book (Thomas Meehan) and Best Score (Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin), the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, seven Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, and the Grammy® for Best Cast Show Album. After the Broadway run of almost six years, it has played in more than 22 countries worldwide including the UK, Argentina, Japan, Germany, Sweden, Spain and Australia. Annie became a smash-hit movie musical in 1982 starring Aileen Quinn, Albert Finney and Carol Burnett that is adored worldwide and a fixture of popular culture references.

A celebration of hope, family and friendship. This small but mighty young girl has returned to stick out her chin and grin once more!

BRISBANE SEASON DETAILS
Venue: Lyric Theatre, QPAC
Season: 27 December – 31 January
Performance Times: Tue 7:30pm; Wed, Fri, Sat 7pm; Matinees Wed & Thurs 1pm, Sat 2pm; Sun 1pm & 6pm (performance times vary each week)
Prices: From $70 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings: anniemusical.com.au

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Spreading Festive Cheer To Novocastrians

07/11/2025 Cherelle Flemming🥈🦉🎭🎶

A Very Newy Christmas Rating

★★★★★

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The festive season has officially begun at Newcastle's Civic Playhouse. The decorations are hung and the trees are glowing, creating a perfect Christmas atmosphere for A Very Newy Christmas to spread jolly Christmas spirit to local Novocastrians. A Very Newy Christmas is proudly presented by UpStage at the Playhouse and One for the Road Productions, with creative direction by Bronwyn Sartori.

A Very Newy Christmas is a fabulous original play by Newcastle's talented Playwright, Nat Newman, who has created a highly entertaining script overflowing with humour and a decent sprinkle of Christmas cheer. The script is bursting with pride for our fantastic city of Newcastle, where we are lucky to reside in.

The plot of A Very Newy Christmas revolves around newly divorced Betty (Denni Mannile) and Trish (Connie Voisey-Barlin). They are navigating their newly single paths after decades together and rediscovering their own identities. Both Mannile and Voisey-Barlin presented a truly heartfelt, convincing performance never straying from dedicated authenticity in their well-developed characters. We see Betty struggling with newfound feelings for the easygoing, fun-loving younger man Joey, admirably delivered by Tony Gleeson. Tony's onstage chemistry with Denni felt sincere and natural and I also thoroughly enjoyed his back and forth antics with his classic Australian larrikin colleague, Simmo, who was enthusiastically delivered by Daniel Bourke.

As Betty and Trish struggle to maintain amicability between themselves, they are also struggling in their relationships with their shared adult children Pax (Nicholas Pavan) and Annabel (Stephanie Lee). The family breakdown has inflicted major changes and stresses upon Pax and Annabel. As a result, they too are questioning their life choices and meaning. Nicholas Pavan gave an honest portrayal of Pax and clearly depicted his anxiety as he grapples to process the changes to his family.
Pax’s sister, Annabel, was marvellously played by Stephanie Lee, who illuminated the stage. I recently had the pleasure of watching Stephanie in another production and both times I have found her performances captivating. She has a delightful stage presence and an innate talent for acting.

Luke Consani gave an earnest presentation of the elusive, somewhat cryptic, character Myron, who spread goodwill and wisdom to those he encountered. He may even have possessed a little Christmas magic, but I'll leave that up to your interpretation.

A Very Newy Christmas had the theatre packed and the audience roaring with laughter throughout. This was one of the best turnouts I have seen in some time at the Playhouse and it was truly wonderful to see the support and interest the play has invoked. A Very Newy Christmas is a must-see for every Novocastrian, shedding light on real-life issues and comedy central to everyone in our community. With oodles of inside jokes for Newcastle locals and a good dash of Christmas spirit I would love to see this on seasonal rotation.

To book tickets to A Very Newy Christmas , please visit https://civictheatrenewcastle.com.au/what-s-on/all-shows/a-very-newy-chrissy.

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