Testing, one two… Broadway Unplugged a huge success

Shaun Rennie Broadway Unplugged. Image by Blueprint Studios
Shaun Rennie performs as a featured artists at Broadway Unplugged. Image by Blueprint Studios

It has been just over one week since the first ever Broadway Unplugged industry night took place at Newtown’s famed venue The Vanguard, and producer George Youakim is still reeling from the overwhelmingly positive response.

Over 115 members of the Sydney arts community turned out to support the event which is promising to be the ‘next big thing’ in the Music Theatre monthly calendar. With 5 featured artists performing up to three numbers each and 12 open mic entries singing one song accompanied by the fabulous Bev Kennedy (and her band, the Beverages), the evening was jam packed with talent.

“The featured performers were absolutely amazing, and then the talent we had for the open mic was like watching another set of features!”, George Youakim told AussieTheatre.

“The talent we have here is unreal, I was blown away by every single one of them”, he said, adding that the inaugural event was “much better than even I anticipated”.

Not bad for the test run, and according to George and the Vanguard is itching for the next Broadway Unplugged open mic session.

“The Vanguard were thrilled, and were blown away. They are very keen for it to continue”, said Youakim.

Broadway Unplugged is presented by George Youakim of James Anthony Productions, who will also be presenting the Sydney professional premiere of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Theatre Royal next year.

“Whether you are a professional performer, an emerging artist or just interested in getting up and performing your favourite song, Broadway Unplugged is a great opportunity to showcase your talents” said Youakim.

More information on Broadway Unplugged’s next open mic session will be published on AussieTheatre shortly, but we can reveal it will be in sometime in mid-late July.

There will also be some exciting interactive opportunities for AussieTheatre readers to get involved with the event online.

Stay tuned!

Until then check out the wonderful Broadway Unplugged event photography from Kurt Sneddon (Blueprint Studios).

For more information, visit www.broadwayunplugged.com

Follow Broadway Unplugged on Twitter @BwayUnplugged

Erin James

Erin James is AussieTheatre.com's former Editor in Chief and a performer on both stage and screen. Credits include My Fair Lady, South Pacific and The King and I (Opera Australia), Love Never Dies and Cats (Really Useful Group), Blood Brothers (Enda Markey Presents), A Place To Call Home (Foxtel/Channel 7) and the feature film The Little Death (written and directed by Josh Lawson).

Erin James

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