O’Connor and McKenney to star in Anything Goes
It’s a three-time Tony Award winner, it’s one of the most beloved musicals of all-time, and it’s making its way back to Australia as a co-production between Opera Australia and John Frost. It’ll visit Melbourne in May, Brisbane in July, and Sydney in September… and the cast is pretty amazing!
Caroline O’Connor, one of our legendary ladies of the stage, is back, and she’ll be starring as evangelist-turned-nightclub-singer Reno Sweeney. Playing Lord Evelyn Oakleigh will be Todd McKenney (The Boy From Oz), and playing his fiancee and American debutante Hope Harcourt is Claire Lyon (Phantom of the Opera). Wayne Scott Kermond (Singing in the Rain) plays gangster Moonface Martin and Alex Rathgeber (The Drowsy Chaperone) will be Billy Crocker. Carmen Duncan (Another World) will be Evangeline Harcourt, Hope’s overbearing mother, and Debora Krizak (Sweet Charity) will round out the leading cast as Emma, Moonface’s girlfriend.
The Captain of the S.S. American will be played by radio star Alan Jones, returning to the musical theatre stage after his performance as Franklin Delano Roosevelt in John Frost’s
production of Annie.
“We’re thrilled that Caroline O’Connor is returning to play Reno Sweeney after her huge success
overseas – Caroline has become a genuine Broadway star!”, said John Frost and Lyndon
Terracini.
“It’s wonderful to have Todd McKenney back working with Opera Australia, and to
welcome Australian musical theatre royalty Wayne Scott Kermond to the cast. Alex Rathgeber
and Claire Lyon are extraordinary young performers, both known internationally, and Debora
Krizak has been nominated for a Helpmann Award for her last two musical theatre
performances. It is terrific to invite Carmen Duncan to play her first musical theatre role, and to
welcome Alan Jones aboard the S.S. American as its captain. What a stellar lineup of amazing
performers we have assembled!
“Heading the creative team are director Dean Bryant and choreographer Andrew Hallsworth,
who are now a Helpmann Award-winning team,” they continued.
“They have been doing amazing work on musicals worldwide, and are one of the most exciting creative teams in Australia today. Joining them will be musical director Peter Casey, set and costume designer Dale Ferguson, lighting designer Matt Scott and sound designer Michael Waters, who won a Helpmann this year for his work on The King and I.
“All aboard for this saucy and splendid new production of Anything Goes!”
SEASON DETAILS
Princess Theatre, Melbourne
Season: From 31 May, 2015
Performance Times: Wed–Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Tues & Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm & Sun 3pm
Bookings: Ticketmaster.com.au or phone 1300 111 011
Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane
Season: From 28 July, 2015
Performance Times: Wed–Sat 8.00pm, Matinees Tues, Wed & Sat 1.30pm & Sun 3pm
Bookings: qpac.com.au or phone 136 246
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Season: From 8 September, 2015
Performance Times: Wed–Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Tues, Wed & Sat 1pm, Sun 3pm
Bookings: sydneyoperahouse.com or 9250 7777
