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Sunshine Coast Local News

Stars Of The Future Perform In Bye Bye Birdie

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Bye Bye BirdieThe high-energy musical comedy Bye Bye Birdie will hit the stage at Nambour Civic Centre from 15-17 May, showcasing Nambour Christian College’s stars of the future.

Bye Bye Birdie tells the story of rock star Conrad Birdie getting conscripted to the army, but before he goes to war he is to give one last kiss to an adoring fan which leads to many crazy antics.

With songs such as ‘Put on a Happy Face’ and ‘Telephone Hour’, Bye Bye Birdie will have you rocking in your seats and will once again bring high quality musical theatre to the Sunshine Coast.

Starring Liam Ross, Matt Bogaards, Natasha Deguara, Jaimee Simpson, Sam Noble and 160 other cast members, this musical will shine the spotlight on our future stars.

The show’s Executive Producer, Russell Morgan, said Nambour Christian College was blessed to have such a wealth of talent on the Sunshine Coast.

“This is one of the best performances I have seen and am so proud to finally see these talented young performers on stage. It’s an amazing group of people whom I am sure are destined for greatness.”

Nambour Christian College continues to produce many incredibly high quality theatre shows which have been the launching pad of many stars, including Jordan Sturdee (now the lead singer of the band Battleships), Sarah Reeve (lead singer of UK band Empire Lights), Gabrielle Schaffer (winner of multiple musical theatre awards in the USA) and Chad Shuttleworth (now a Country Music solo artist). They have all performed in previous Nambour Christian College theatre productions.

So come along to the Nambour Civic Centre from 15-17 May for your chance to see some of our future stars perform on stage.

Four performances only: 15,16 May 7pm and 17 May at 2pm and 7pm

Tickets: $25 adults, $20 Concession

Bookings: 5475 7777 web: http://www.scvenuesandevents.com.au/

Third show released for Pete the Sheep

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Pete the Sheep, a musical, based on Jackie French and Bruce Whatley’s quirky and quintessentially Australian picture book.

It’s back! Pete the Sheep, the musical based on Jackie French and Bruce Whatley’s quirky and quintessentially Australian picture book.

Due to popular demand, the hilarious children’s music comedy Pete the Sheep has released a third show at Sunshine Coast Council’s Lake Kawana Community Centre on Tuesday April 29 at 1.30pm.

Pete the Sheep is a brand-new 50-minute musical, based on Jackie French and Bruce Whatley’s quirky and quintessentially Australian picture book.

Shaun is the new sheep shearer in Shaggy Gully. Since shearing is such hard work, all the other shearers have sheep dogs to help them, but not Shaun. His partner is Pete, a sheep- sheep! The other shearers in the shed are not happy with Shaun and his sheep-sheep.

Following rejection by the shearers and their dogs, Shaun and Pete set up their own Shearing Salon in town where they are inundated with woolly clients, who delight in Shaun’s styling prowess.

This hilarious musical comedy, imaginatively told by four performers playing shearers, dogs and sheep, explores the challenges and rewards of being an individual, and will be a lasting tribute to honouring your own spirit and strength, whilst working with the flock!

Produced by the multi award winning Monkey Baa Theatre Company, and directed by Jonathan Biggins of The Wharf Revue fame.

Monkey Baa Theatre Company has built a reputation for producing outstanding theatre for young people and is the widest reaching touring company in Australia. Since its inception in 1998, the company has performed to metropolitan, regional and remote audiences in all corners of the country, engaging with just under one million children.

Pete the Sheep is suitable for young children aged three to nine years and their families, and has syllabus links for early stage one up to stage two.

Choose from three performances of Pete the Sheep on Monday, April 28 at 6pm and Tuesday, April 29 at 10.30am and 1.30pm. Tickets cost only $15 per person or $13.50 for members of Sunshine Coast Venues VIP membership program and $55 for groups of four people (with a minimum of two children). Bookings are essential and tickets can be purchased in advance online at  www.scvenuesandevents.com.au, in person at the Lake Kawana Community Centre Box Office 114 Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina or by calling 07 5413 1400 (phone charges apply).

Review

…..a truly Aussie tale – delightful, funny, iconic, warm and hilariously Ocker, from the lingo to the names to the shearers’ blue singlets…Kids Book Review 2011

Musical comedy featuring the sounds of Patsy Cline and Hank Williams

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Long Gone Lonesome CowgirlsLong Gone Lonesome Cowgirls bring the sounds of Patsy Cline to Sunshine Coast Council’s Nambour Civic Centre for one performance only on Thursday, May 8 at 7.30pm.

Set in a Queensland country town during the mid-sixties, this delightfully warm and funny play tells the story of two very different women.

Vicki, a straight laced housewife and conforming Catholic, forever awaiting the arrival of her itinerant husband, and Rae, a brash, hard-living barmaid, abandoned on the roadside by her rodeo-riding husband of five weeks.

Thrown together by chance, the two women strike up an unexpected friendship, united by their devotion to country music and American cowboy heroes, and their abandonment by errant husbands.

Together they find their way through the confusions of the not-so-swinging sixties towards independence, carried on dreams and the songs of Hank Williams and Patsy Kline.

Long Gone Lonesome Cowgirls was originally published in 1995 and received a Matilda Award in the same year. The play’s author Philip Dean was born in rural Queensland and is a graduate of the Queensland College of Art and the University of Queensland.

Starring Fiona Harris (TV’s Offspring and Mr and Mrs Murder) and musical theatre and cabaret artist Laura Burzacott, Long Gone Lonesome Cowgirls is simultaneously a celebration of American Country and Western and brilliant Aussie wit.

Cost to attend is $42 for adults, $35 for concessions and groups of eight or more, $32 for SCvip Members and $25 for people under 26 years. For bookings visit Nambour Civic Centre, Upper Level, Centenary Square, Currie Street, Nambour, call 07 5475 7777 or book online at www.scvenuesandevents.com.au

 

Reviews

“A script to rival some of the greatest landmark Australian movies of the last 20 years.”

The Stage

“..a powerful statement about independence that rings truer that any Thelma and Louise school of feminism.”

Brisbane Review

Pete the Sheep launches national tour on the Coast

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petethesheep

The hilarious children’s music comedy Pete the Sheep has selected Sunshine Coast Council’s Lake Kawana Community Centre to launch its national tour for two shows only on Monday 28 at 6pm and Tuesday 29 April 2014 at 10.30am.

Pete the Sheep is a brand-new 50-minute musical, based on Jackie French and Bruce Whatley’s quirky and quintessentially Australian picture book.

Shaun is the new sheep shearer in Shaggy Gully. Since shearing is such hard work, all the other shearers have sheep dogs to help them, but not Shaun. His partner is Pete, a sheep- sheep! The other shearers in the shed are not happy with Shaun and his sheep-sheep.

Following rejection by the shearers and their dogs, Shaun and Pete set up their own Shearing Salon in town where they are inundated with woolly clients, who delight in Shaun’s styling prowess.

This hilarious musical comedy, imaginatively told by four performers playing shearers, dogs and sheep, explores the challenges and rewards of being an individual, and will be a lasting tribute to honouring your own spirit and strength, whilst working with the flock!

Produced by the multi award winning Monkey Baa Theatre Company, and directed by Jonathan Biggins of The Wharf Revue fame.

Monkey Baa Theatre Company has built a reputation for producing outstanding theatre for young people and is the widest reaching touring company in Australia. Since its inception in 1998, the company has performed to metropolitan, regional and remote audiences in all corners of the country, engaging with just under one million children.

Pete the Sheep is suitable for young children aged three to nine years and their families, and has syllabus links for early stage one up to stage two.

Tickets cost only $15 per person or $13.50 for members of Sunshine Coast Venues VIP membership program and $55 for groups of four people (with a minimum of two children). Bookings are essential and tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.scvenuesandevents.com.au, in person at the Lake Kawana Community Centre Box Office 114 Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina or by calling 07 5413 1400 (phone charges apply).

Calendar Girls will have you laughing and crying

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Calendar Girls

Calendar Girls is based on the true story of a group of Yorkshire women who produced a nude calendar in 1999 to raise money for leukaemia research. This latest Jally Productions stage show will take to The Events Centre stage on Friday 7th March at 7.30pm.

The 2003 film of the same name starred Helen Mirren and Julie Walters in the leading roles.

The stage play differs slightly from the film by focusing on exploring the dynamics of a small town chapter of the Women’s Institute, an English women’s group much like the CWA.

It follows what happens when the husband of one of the members is diagnosed with cancer, and her determination to do something meaningful in his memory when he dies. As the plot progresses, the action touches on the individual stories of the widow’s friends.

The audience catches glimpses of the losses in each of their lives: the uptight group leader, the golf widow, the young woman with the womanising husband, the unsuccessful businesswoman and the retired school teacher.

All this is revealed as a daring plan is hatched to produce a calendar in the hope of raising enough money to buy a comfortable couch for the oncology ward’s waiting room. At first glance it looks like your classic WI calendar. Except for one thing…the ladies are not naked, they’re nude.’

The show features a cast of 12 and has already played to packed audiences in Redcliffe, Gympie and Noosa.

A very English story with a very English heart, Calendar Girls is quirky, poignant and hilarious. Adapted by Tim Firth from the Miramax film of the same name, it is based on an uplifting and very inspiring true story.

VENUE: The Events Centre, Caloundra
DATES: Friday 7 March
TIME: 7.30pm Show
TICKETS: Full Price: $32.00, Concession & Groups 10+: $28.00 PRE-SHOW DINING: 5.30pm

Samuel Johnson takes a pit stop from world record unicycle attempt

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Samuel Johnson and Max Gillies (image supplied)

Samuel Johnson and Max Gillies (image supplied)

Sunshine Coast Council presents the acclaimed theatre play The Haunting of Daniel Gartrell by Australian playwright Reg Cribb at The J Noosa for two performances only on Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 September at 7.30pm.

Gartrell lives as a recluse in the suburbs and his only contact is with his daughter. An emerging actor from Bondi knocks on his door. Ambitious and optimistic, he has been cast to play Gartrell in a biographical movie, and in his research for the role, is ready for anything … or so he thinks. Gartrell leads him on a merry chase, evading inquiries and playing unhinged mind games.

The Haunting of Daniel Gartrell is a humorous, thought provoking and quintessentially Australian story. This is the perfect opportunity to see Australian icon, Max Gillies and TV favourites Samuel Johnson and Michala Banas like they’ve never seen them before.

Samuel with his sister Connie (image supplied)

Samuel with his sister Connie (image supplied)

Samuel Johnson is currently dividing his time between performing in this award winning play and riding a unicycle 15,000 km around Australia. Samuel has been a regular guest on TV including Channel 10’s The Project, updating viewers on his journey and his mission, and will be bringing his bright pink ‘love Your Sister’ van to the coast, so look out for it while he is here.

Inspired by his sister Connie, who has been diagnosed with terminal breast cancer, Samuel’s ‘Love Your Sister’ journey aims to raise awareness and $1 million for breast cancer research and break a world record. For more information on Samuel’s amazing journey visit www.facebook.com/loveyoursister.

Cost to attend is $42 for adults, $35 for concessions and for groups of eight or more, $32 for subscribers, or $25 for people aged 25 years and under.

Bookings can be made by calling 5455 4455, online at www.scvenuesandevents.com.au, or visit the theatre Box Office located at The J Noosa, 60 Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads.

Reviews
“An undeniably moving piece of theatre” Upstart Magazine
“A talented production and a chance to see well-known actors in a creepy piece of Aussie horror” The Age.

Grease Premieres on Sunday

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The multimillion dollar new Australian production of GREASE has its Australian Premiere this coming Sunday, August 25, at the Lyric Theatre, QPAC.

Everyone’s favourite Number 1 Party Musical stars musical theatre favourite Rob Mills as Danny and rising star Gretel Scarlett as Sandy, alongside Bert Newton as veteran disc jockey Vince Fontaine, Todd McKenney as Teen Angel, Anthony Callea as Johnny Casino, Val Lehman as Miss Lynch, Lucy Maunder as Rizzo and Stephen Mahy as Kenickie.

The cast also features Francine Cain (Frenchy), Eli Cooper (Eugene), Chris Durling (Doody), Antoniette Iesue (Patty), Sam Ludeman (Sonny), Duane McGregor (Roger), Laura Murphy (Jan), Karla Tonkich (Marty) and Andrea Arena (Cha Cha). Ensemble roles are played by Jared Bryan, Elisha Chin, Stefanie De Castro, Euan Doidge, Heath Keating, Mitchell Mahony, Natasha Marconi, Scott Morris, Shannon O’Shea, Daniel Raso, Stephanie Silcock and Jessica White.

Theatre producer John Frost is thrilled with his new production of GREASE. “We have assembled an extraordinarily talented cast, and I think audiences will be blown away by the energy and excitement they’re going to see on stage. The dancing is sensational, and all our favourite GREASE songs are performed brilliantly. There’s some hilarious pre-show entertainment for audience members from the minute the theatre doors open, and a sing-a-long at the end of the show.

“Ticket sales are booming, showing how popular GREASE still is 40 years after the first Australian production. And I’m very excited that people can take home a cast album featuring the new Australian cast. GREASE – The Australian Cast Recording features all the unforgettable GREASE favourites, including You’re The One That I Want, Grease Is The Word, Summer Nights, Hopelessly Devoted To You, Sandy, Greased Lightnin’ and many more, sung by Rob, Gretel, Anthony, Todd and our stunning cast. So rush to buy your tickets before we sell out.”

The Premiere season of GREASE at Brisbane’s Lyric Theatre runs until October 6, followed by seasons at the Sydney Lyric Theatre from October 13, and at her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne from January 2, 2014.

So dust off your leather jackets, pull on your bobby-socks and take a trip to a simpler time as “bad boy” Danny and “the girl next door” Sandy fall in love all over again.

Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane
Opening Night: Sunday 25 August
Season: To October 6
Performance Times: Tues–Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Wed 1.30pm, Sat 1.30pm & Sun 3pm
Special Family performances Sun 11am on September 1 and 8
Bookings: qpac.com.au or phone 136 246

www.greaseistheword.com.au

Immanuel’s production of Disney classic Beauty and the Beast approaches

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Join Immanuel Lutheran College in a tale of love and enchantment as 150 talented actors, singers, dancers and orchestra perform Disney’s famous musical, Beauty and the Beast.

Based on the book by Linda Woolverton and with lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, this classic but vibrant production boasts players from Years 1 – 12 who will sing and dance their way through a spectacular show at the Nambour Civic Centre from 26-27 July.

Beauty and the Beast tells the story of Belle, an intelligent young woman who must rescue her father after he is captured by the Beast, a once handsome prince transformed into a monster by an evil curse. The Beast agrees to release Belle’s father if she agrees to stay with him forever. The Beast’s servants – a clock, teapot and candlestick – see Belle as their salvation; if the Beast and a woman fall in love before the last petal falls from the enchanted rose, he will be free of the curse forever.

“Beauty and the Beast is a classic tale, loved by both young and old,” said Principal David Bliss.

“Our students have been rehearsing since late last year and are eager to perform for their friends, family and the greater Sunshine Coast community,” said Mr Bliss.

Tickets can be purchased from the Nambour Civic Centre on Dial n Charge T: 5475 7777 or www.scvenuesandevents.com.au

What: Disney’s musical Beauty and the Beast
Where: Nambour Civic Centre
When: Friday 26 July, 7pm
Saturday 27 July, 2pm & 7pm
Who: 150 cast and crew in Years 1-12 from Immanuel Lutheran College
Cost: Adult $30 / Concession $20 / Family of 4 $80

Beauty and the Beast is proudly supported by Immanuel’s P&F Association and Express Print & Mail.

Australia’s biggest comedy festival tours the Coast

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MelbComedyFestSunshine Coast Council welcomes back to the Coast the renowned Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow which promises a big night with some of the world’s funniest comedians at three venues across the region.

The Roadshow cast of intrepid travelling comedians is hitting the road, entertaining crowds all across Australia. You can be a part of the fun when they roll into the Coast with a big show featuring some of the best from one of the world’s biggest comedy festivals!

Last year the Roadshow hit the dirt track, with over 90 performances in over 65 Australian towns, covering a distance of more than 25,000kms, before taking the tour to the world, with seasons in Singapore, Hong Kong and India.

What happens on tour doesn’t always stay on tour, and when a bunch of comedians are unleashed on a road trip, you can only imagine what they get up to!

Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow – the hijinks are coming your way at the following venues:

  • Nambour Civic Centre on Friday 3 May at 7.30pm
  • The J Noosa on Saturday 4 May at 7.30pm
  • The Events Centre Caloundra on Wednesday 22 May at 8pm.

Book early to avoid disappointment. Tickets are just $42 per adult and can be purchased in advance by calling the Nambour Civic Centre on 5475 7777, The J Noosa on 5455 4455 and the Events Centre Caloundra on 5491 4240, online at www.scvenuesandevents.com.au or visit the theatre Box Offices. Please note this show is not recommended for those under 15 years as performances may contain coarse language, sexual references and material that can offend.

Reviews
“Stand-up comedy enthusiasts from around the region copped a ribcage-rattling dose of humour.”
Illawarra Mercury (NSW)
“All in all, my tonsils were twisted in hilarity by the end of the night.” Townsville Bulletin (QLD)

‘Laughing For A Cure’ Comedy Fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis

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Local Maroochydore resident, Ryan Musgrave is part of ‘Young Guns’, a group of young comedians who regularly tour and hold comedy nights in Brisbane. The comedy troupe are holding a ‘Laugh For A Cure’ evening on the Sunshine Coast this weekend raising funds for cystic fibrosis.

Along with Ryan Musgrave, radio station Triple J ‘Raw Comedy’ New South Wales finalist Kate Rudge and Queensland finalist Dan Konstantinosis will be part of the group of comedians entertaining and raising funds on the night.

Mr. Musgrave said “Everyone loves to laugh and we thought it would be a great way to raise funds for cystic fibrosis and at the same time help build more of a comedy scene on the Sunshine Coast. It gives people another alternative to a fun night out!”

The fundraiser will be held at Solbar, 19 Ocean Street, Maroochydore on Sunday 25th November 2012. There will be free musical entertainment from Pritchy Ray & Friends from 3pm-6pm, free pizza from 6pm and the comedians will take to the stage, ready to entertain the audience with their blend of witty observations, side splitting gags and lots of laughs and giggles.

Tickets cost $25 with funds supporting Cystic Fibrosis. To purchase tickets by credit card, telephone Solbar (07) 5443-9550 or call in to the venue in person 7am-4pm Monday to Friday. There will be a limited number of tickets available on the door on the night. The event is an over 18 years production.

Comedy is a piece of cake for the Kransky Sisters

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Watch out… the multi-award winning Kransky Sisters are packing up their old Morris and heading to Noosa with a freshly baked brand new show.

Mourne, Eve and Dawn Kransky, three endearing spinsters from Esk in Queensland, are bringing their hilarious comedy show to The J Noosa at 7.30pm on Saturday 10 November 2012 thanks to Sunshine Coast Council.

From Abba, George Michael and Beyonce to AC/DC and Pink Floyd, these three eccentric sisters with their eclectic mix of instruments including musical saw, tuba, old reed keyboard, and kitchen pots, serve up a wild assortment of uniquely beaten versions of well known songs gleaned from their old wireless at home.

Stir into the mix, the sisters’ curious stories of their travels, and there’s the icing on the cake. Hot out of the oven, these odd-ball Queensland sisters reminiscent of your old aunties, will leave you wanting more.

The tour is managed and coordinated by arTour, an initiative supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

Cost to attend is adults $39, concessions $35, groups of eight or more $35. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling The J Noosa on 5455 4455, online at www.scvenuesandevents.com.au or visit the Box Office located at 60 Noosa Drive, Noosa Junction. The J is a licensed venue and people under 18 years must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Reviews

“If Dame Edna ever retired to the Outback and procreated, the result might be something like the Kranskys.” The Scotsman

 

“The success of the show lies in the precision of the music, and a narrative that lures the audience, rocking with laughter into a totally unsavoury, insular world.” The Independent Scotland

 

“A truly bizarre, and utterly funny show. The fantastic characters are not unlike a cross between the Sugababes and the Adams Family.” Edinburgh Fringe Review

 

Awards

Winner: Sydney Theatre Awards – Best Cabaret Production 2008

Winner: Bank Of Scotland Herald Angel Award for excellence – Edinburgh Festival 2006

Winner: Australian Entertainment Mo Awards – Best Comedy Ensemble 2006

Winner: Green Room Award 2005 – Best Cabaret Ensemble

Winner: The Melbourne Age Critics Award – Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2004

Winner: Melbourne Airport’s Best Newcomers Award – Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2004