WAAPA Announces 2015 Musical Theatre Students Program

WAAPA_logoI’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, thank God for The West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) who present the musical theatre that, for some reason, never seems to make it to the West Coast.

There is no hint of Sondheim, a sixties musical or tap shoes in this years line up of WAAPA’s third year musical theatre productions. This years productions are sure to guarantee record numbers at the box office as they present some of the best musicals to grace Perth’s shores in years. And with this year’s talented group of third year students, these productions are sure to impress.

So what are this years offerings?

Insert personal drum roll noise here

Urinetown

Image - Jon Green
Image – Jon Green

One of the most uproariously funny musicals in recent years, Urinetown is a hilarious tale of greed, corruption, love, and revolution in a time when water is worth its weight in gold. Inspired by the works of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, Urinetown is an irreverently humorous satire in which no one is safe from scrutiny. Praised for reinvigorating the very notion of what a musical could be, Urinetown catapults the “comedic romp” into the new millennium with its outrageous perspective, wickedly modern wit, and sustained ability to produce gales of unbridled laughter.

Urinetown runs from 14 March – 21 March at the Geoff Gibbs Theatre, WAAPA.  Friends Tickets available from 17 February and General public 24 February from WAAPA Box office (08) 9370 6636 or online.

Legally Blonde

WAAPA Legally Blonde Logo

OMG You Guys! Grab your tickets NOW!

Harvard’s beloved blonde takes the stage by pink storm in this fun, upbeat story of self-discovery.

A fabulously fun international award-winning musical based on the feature film that shot Reese Witherspoon to fame. WAAPA is proud to bring Legally Blonde to Perth for the first time as a fully staged, all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza of epic proportions after it’s successful East Coast run with WAAPA graduate Lucy Durack in the lead role.

Legally Blonde follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes, snobbery, and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. This action-packed musical explodes on the stage with memorable songs and dynamic dances. Equal parts hilarious and heart-warming.

Legally Blonde The Musical stays true to form with a peppy score and playful book. This much fun should not be legal.

Legally Blonde plays from Saturday 13 June to Saturday 20 June at the Regal Theatre in Subiaco. Tickets now on sale through Ticketek or 1300 795 012.

Carrie

Image - Jon Green
Image – Jon Green

Crispin Taylor (One of my favourite WAAPA directors) returns to direct the Stephen King thriller Carrie and I have been warned by those in the know to “Expect a lot of blood.”

Carrie White is a misfit. At school, she’s an outcast who’s bullied by the popular crowd, and virtually invisible to everyone else. At home, she’s at the mercy of her loving but cruelly over-protective mother. But Carrie’s just discovered she’s got a special power, and if pushed too far, she’s not afraid to use it.

This infamous rock musical is based on Stephen King’s bestselling novel.

Taylor is apparently really, really, really looking forward to directing Carrie and I’m looking forward to see what musical horror and terror he elicits from this group of third years.

 

 

Carrie runs from Saturday 22 August to Saturday 29 August at the Geoff Gibbs Theatre, WAAPA. Friends Tickets available from 21 July and General public 28 July from WAAPA Box office (08) 9370 6636 or online.

The second year Musical Theatre students will perform Hiawatha and the Kander and Ebb classic And The World Goes Round.

For the first time in WAAPA history Hiawatha’s performance schedule will include late night performances starting at 10:30 on Saturday 14 March.

Hiawatha

Saturday 14 March to Thursday 19 March.

A bold theatrical interpretation of this famous literary work. The legend of the Native American hero, Hiawatha tells of his journey through life, his encounters with the mystical and magical, and his relationship with Minnehaha. This energetically physical production will amuse and inspire audiences of all ages.

Friends Tickets available from 17 February and General public 24 February from WAAPA Box office (08) 9370 6636 or online.

And The World Goes Round

Saturday 10 October to Saturday 17 October

“Sometimes you’re happy and sometimes you’re sad – but the world goes ’round”. Life (with its glories, indignities, hopes and quiet dreams) is the subject of this stunning revue of the beloved songs of John Kander and Fred Ebb. The vast range of human experience is explored in song after impeccable song by one of Broadway’s most daring and successful teams and masters of the heart-grabbing Broadway showstopper.

This glittering revue features unforgettable gems from throughout their incredible career in theatre, film and television, spotlighting songs from Cabaret, Chicago, Kiss Of The Spiderwoman, New York, New York, Funny Lady and more.

Filled with humour, romance, drama, nonstop melody and brassy, insightful lyrics, And The World Goes Round is a thrilling celebration of life and the fighting spirit that keeps us all going.

Friends Tickets available from 8 September and General public 15 September from WAAPA Box office (08) 9370 6636 or online.

Book your tickets to Legally Blonde NOW!

Enter on sale dates for the other shows in your diary and ensure you’re on the phone or online at 9:00am. These tickets are going to go fast.

 

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