David Bravos - Page 5

CRAZY FOR YOU is a tough musical. It won a swag of awards upon its release in 1992, and it showcases some of the biggest songs the Gershwins wrote in one musical. Indeed, when WAAPA staged CRAZY FOR YOU in 2012, it was their highest grossing musical ever. They’re aiming high with their first production staged at His Majesty’s Theatre.

StoreyBoard entertainment went big with their production of CHESS THE MUSICAL. It’s a big cast giving big performances in a big setting, and backed by an orchestra and choir, the whole performance comes together to be an impressive production. The stage itself is small, but every bit jumps out in this brilliant production.

Arise Production’s debut production of KINKY BOOTS has been a long time in the making. By opening night the performance was near 18 months in the making, and KINKY BOOTS delivered the sparkle, shine, and good feelings the audience wanted (and, I feel, the cast and crew needed) to welcome Arise onto the scene and give us a sign of things to come.

“Not now, not ever.” The iconic speech by Julia Gillard that has become embedded in the Australian psyche is nearing its ten-year anniversary. Sally Richardson and Natalie Allen combined to create JULIA, a brilliant solo piece of contemporary dance that brilliantly conveys what Gillard experienced and what women continue to experience in society.

Platinum Entertainment produced another big show with a colourful performance of PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT. The show hits high with strong performances backed up by eye-catching staging, costumes, and choreography. This musical has not made its way to Perth before this, however this production ensured it was well and truly worth the wait.

Janelle Koenig is no stranger to the comedy scene, performing standup across Australia and around the world. She juggles her own stand-up career with writing a range of works, regular spots on radio, and having a family. It’s barely surprising to find someone so talented is good at musical theatre as well.

This production of LEGALLY BLONDE is proudly Western Australian, and features a cast and crew overwhelmingly based in or originating from WA. Whilst drawing principally from Perth may be a thing of necessity right now the performance lost nothing, and in fact seemed better for it.

Elaina O’Connor and Lloyd Hopkins first played the roles of Elle Woods and Emmett Forrest in LEGALLY BLONDE in 2018. Now, four years later, they bring a broad range of experience back to the characters they know well. Not only have the actors come a long way, but they’ll be performing to a bigger audience in a larger theatre for a longer season.

Alexandra Theatre are new to the Perth theatre scene, and in the current climate, would have been forgiven for erring on the side of caution in their first production. Instead, they chose to begin with a bang, putting on Broadway classic The Producers- with a large cast and grand sets- for an audience delighted to be back at the theatre.