A Pop Diva, a Spelling Bee and some Virgins

(26 February 2006)

Two musicals had their Australian premieres in Melbourne in January. One was a World Premiere the other the first International production of a Tony® Award winning Broadway hit.

MUSICALS AUSTRALIA GOES TO NEW YORK (and LA)

(November 12, 2005)

Want to escape the Commonwealth Games crowd in 2006? Join Henry Sachwald on a 10 day trip departing Melbourne for New York (and Los Angeles). See three Broadway shows, attend theatre workshops, backstage tours, make musical theatre contacts, or just go shopping and sightseeing. The weather in March is great and the variety of shows to see is at its best. Estimated cost (excluding departure tax and insurance) is too good to advertise. Interested?

For more information and expressions of interest write to info@musicalsaustralia.com  SUBJECT:2006 B'WAY TOUR

Postal address:Musicals Australia, PO Box 2087, Caulfield Nth, Vic, 3161

"See you at the theatre!"

Musicals Around the World with Peter Pinne

(December 2, 2005)

Peter Pinne, President of Bayview Recording Company has been to London and New York recently and gives his views about: Billy Elliot, Mary Poppins, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, All Shook Up, Alter Boyz, The Light in the Piazza, Broadway on Broadway and Broadway Unplugged.

BROADWAY: The American Musical
A History of Broadway
NOW AVAILABLE ON DVD in Australia

(October 14, 2005)

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has Australian Premiere in Melbourne in 2006.

(October 9, 2005)

HATS OFF 2005 – A concert with a difference

Sunday 6 November 2005      8.00pm

(October 9, 2005)

FINANCIAL BACKERS WANTED FOR EXCITING NEW MUSICAL THEATRE REVUE

(September 27, 2005)

Melbourne Fringe Festival 2005

(September 21. 2005)

I Get The Music In You
Starring Queenie van de Zandt opens September 21.

SUPPORT MUSICALS AUSTRALIA BY BUYING ON-LINE FROM BROADWAY BEST

(September 14, 2005)

Simply clicking on the Broadway Best icon on the Musicals Australia homepage to purchase cds, dvds, and sheet music you will be supporting Musicals Australia through their affiliate program. In addition to their stock of musical theatre recordings Broadway Best has an incredible catalogue of Broadway karaoke recordings and the sensational Jay Records catalogue of complete cast recordings. Support Musicals Australia by buying at Broadway Best.

ELAINE PAIGE on "Henry Sachwald's THEATRETRACK"
3MBS-FM 103.5 Thursday night 22 September
10 p.m. - midnight
(September 14, 2005)
This interview was recorded by phone on September 9. It runs 25 minutes and covers everything from her first school days performance as Susanna in "The Marriage of Figaro" to vying for the part of Norma Desmond in the upcoming film version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Sunset Blvd".

Broadcast details:
"Henry Sachwald's THEATRETRACK"
3MBS-FM 103.5 LISTEN LIVE on ther internet
Thursday night 22 September
10 p.m. - midnight

In addition to the interview hear Elaine sing selections from Evita, Cats, Chess, Anything Goes, Piaf, Billy, Sunset Blvd,

Elaine Paige will be performing at HAMER HALL, The Arts Centre, Melbourne on Wednesday night 19 October.

"ROSIE" the musical

(August 21, 2005)

'Rosie' is inspired by the life of Rosie Shaw (1905-1971), the free spirited cockney girl who dreamed of becoming a great singer like Melba, a great dancer like Pavlova. Instead she became a flower seller and, from a stall in Martin Place, serenaded her customers and passers-by for forty years. Brash and indomitable Rose, dreamer of impossible dreams was a Sydney legend.

Directed by Frank Hatherley, who wrote the book and co-wrote the lyrics with noted composer Peter Stannard, 'Rosie' is a bright new musical which follows our heroine's adventures through Sydney - from Martin Place to bohemian Kings Cross where she lived life to the full by her own unconventional rules.

The music of 'Rosie' is full of melody and vitality, and as nostalgic as the Verdi and Puccini operas which Rose loved to sing. The lyrics reflect her courage and optimism.

The production has its premiere at the famous historic Independent Theatre, North Sydney on Saturday August 6, 2005 for a limited season of 8 weeks.

Look out! Here Comes The “STAGE SHOW”.

DIRTY DANCING comes to Melbourne

(June 17, 2005)

Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage” had its Melbourne premiere on Thursday night, 16 June, 2005 at the Princess Theatre. The Princess Theatre has been the home of Les Miserables , The Phantom of the Opera , Mamma Mia and The Producers.

ORIGINAL CAST RECORDINGS RETURN TO SOUTH YARRA - MIDDLE EIGHT MUSIC TO OPEN SHOP IN MELBOURNE.

(May 29, 2005)

Max Peterson (formerly of CD COLLECTOR - Sydney) has joined with Shane Hewitt of www.middle8.com to open a new shop in South Yarra, Melbourne featuring musical theatre and cabaret artist rercordings. There hasn't been a shop like this in Melbourne since Readings - South Yarra closed its doors. Shane Hewitt, founder of MIDDLE EIGHT MUSIC specialises in featuring recordings by Australian performers and Australian Cast recordings. In addition MIDDLE EIGHT MUSIC is the Australian distributor for Bayview Records and PS Classics.

ELEANOR BERGSTEIN on "Henry Sachwald's THEATRETRACK"

(May 29, 2005)

Eleanor Bergstein, author and producer of both the film and stage versions of DIRTY DANCING will be special guest on THEATRETRACK Thursday night, June 9. A Tribute to Jerry Orbach is also scheduled for this particular program. Jerry Orbach, who passed away on December 29, 2004, starred in the movie version of DIRTY DANCING.

TAP DOGS and DIRTY DANCING IN MELBOURNE.

(May 29, 2005)

Dein Perry's TAP DOGS returns to Melbourne for a limited engasgement at the Comedy Theatre from 15 June - 2 July. Meanwhile the stage version of DIRTY DANCING, reported to be taking in a substantial advance at the box-office opens around the corner at the Princess Theatre on June 16 for an open ended run.

MORE MENOPAUSE, GOODBYE MAMMA MIA!

(May 29, 2005)

As Mamma Mia winds up its Australasian tour in Melbourne at Her Majesty's Theatre, Menopause-The Musical will move across the street to Her Majesty's on 18th June for an extended run until the 17th July.

MENOPAUSE and MAMMA MIA!
(April 17, 2005)

What do Menopause and Mamma Mia! have in common? More than you might imagine. Menopause – the Musical and Mamma Mia! are currently playing across the street (Exhibition St) from each other in Melbourne. Both shows are doing big box office business.

Australia's Leading Ladies Take Centre Stage (February 11, 2005)

Burchmore, Connelli, Millerchip, Prior, Turner, Wood and Hayes light up the stage of Her Majesty's - Melbourne.

It's been a long time between major New York style Musical Theatre events in Melbourne. To sustain the drive of the “Broadway” musical there are frequent occasions available for New York audiences to hear the musical theatre stars of Broadway sing shows tunes live. In Melbourne and the other capital cities of Australia this is too rare an event.

CD Collector closes its doors at the end of January

(14 January 2005)

Sad news for musical theatre and cabaret recording buffs. After 15 years CD COLLECTOR in Sydney will close its doors, leaving a big gap in specialist CD retailing in Australia. Check out their website for clearance bargains.