An Officer and a Gentleman The Musical To Play Sydney Lyric Theatre, The Star

Tonight of An Officer and a Gentleman enjoyed its Sydney, Australia premiere at The Star's Lyric Theatre at Ultimo.

The red carpet premiere was well attended by media and celebrities, and its understood the production is likely to match if not exceed the hype.

Producer John Frost said that more hard-won world premieres were in store.

"Not just Australian stories, but international stories that can be exported to international markets," Frost said.

Producers from Germany, South Korea, Canada, New York and London were at tonight's opening.

Frost said the $6 million budget for An Officer And A Gentleman was about half what it might have been if it was developed in New York or London.

"Things are just easier and cheaper here, and in New York and London, you're so far out of town (doing the set building) trying to get it right and get it fixed," he said.

Frost said the process of developing new musicals, as opposed to simply remounting a successful overseas version, would help build production skills for the creation of new musicals in the future.

"What this is doing is establishing people like (An Officer And A Gentleman) director Simon Phillips, his choreographer and his assistants, to do new stuff they're not used to doing, because they are used to doing stuff that's already been done and what we are trying to do is to broaden that experience so a lot more directors and a lot more writers get that opportunity," Frost added.

Later next year and early 2014 Frost expects to mount world premieres of Dream Lover: The Bobby Darin Show and Red Dog. His production of Doctor Zhivago is approaching the end of a six month-long run in Seoul and will then be mounted in New York.

The Media Man and Music News Australia agencies were overheard agreeing "Another world class production put on by The Star and Lyric Theatre".

The pitch:

A new musical based on the Paramount Pictures-Lorimar movie "An Officer and a Gentleman" written by Douglas Day Stewart

Music and lyrics by Ken Hirsch and Robin Lerner
Book by Douglas Day Stewart and Sharleen Cooper Cohen
Director Simon Phillips
Choreographer Andrew Hallsworth
Set and Costume Designer Dale Ferguson
Lighting Designer Matt Scott
Musical Director Dave Skelton
Associate Director Dean Bryant
Producers Sharleen Cooper Cohen and John Frost

In association with Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros Theatre Ventures

Based on the hugely successful Academy Award-winning film, this new production has been adapted for the stage by the original screen writer, Douglas Day Stewart and co-writer Sharleen Cooper Cohen, with music and lyrics by Kenny Hirsch and Robin Lerner. It will be produced by Sharleen Cooper Cohen and John Frost, and directed by Simon Phillips (Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical).

The talented cast that will bring this timeless story to life includes Ben Mingay (Jersey Boys) as Zack Mayo, the classic angry young man who grew up in a "sewer" and dreams of flying jets and parlaying this skill into a better life; Amanda Harrison (Wicked) as Paula Pokrifki, the young factory worker who dreams of becoming a nurse and finding a better life without selling out for it, like everyone around her; Kate Kendall (Next to Normal) as Lynette Pomeroy, Paula's best friend who is determined to marry a flier to escape her dead end life, no matter what it takes; and Alex Rathgeber (The Phantom of the Opera) as Sid Worley, the likeable Okie son of a Navy Admiral who is the class "superstar" at the Naval Academy.

A hit across the ages, the 1982 film has become a phenomenon in cinema history, recently listed by the American Film Institute as one of the top ten love stories in cinema history. Featuring the iconic hit song "Up Where We Belong" and a new score by hit song writer Ken Hirsch and Grammy nominee Robin Lerner this timeless tale of struggle, success, friendship and love promises to be the musical blockbuster of 2012.

An Officer and a Gentleman is a triumphant story of working class heroes surviving great tests; a classic modern day love story about a working class boy and girl who must overcome their upbringing and personal weaknesses to accept life and love.

His Story, Her Romance.

Websites

An Officer and a Gentleman - The Musical official website
www.anofficerandagentleman.com.au 

The Star
www.star.com.au 

Sydney Lyric Theatre
www.sydneylyric.com.au 

Seal at The Star

Seal at The Star, a set on Flickr.

Officer and a Gentleman World Tour

Officer and a Gentleman World Tour, a set on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
An Officer and a Gentleman The Musical To Play Sydney Lyric Theatre, The Star

Tonight of An Officer and a Gentleman enjoyed its Sydney, Australia premiere at The Star's Lyric Theatre at Ultimo.

The red carpet premiere was well attended by media and celebrities, and its understood the production is likely to match if not exceed the hype.

Producer John Frost said that more hard-won world premieres were in store.

"Not just Australian stories, but international stories that can be exported to international markets," Frost said.

Producers from Germany, South Korea, Canada, New York and London were at tonight's opening.

Frost said the $6 million budget for An Officer And A Gentleman was about half what it might have been if it was developed in New York or London.

"Things are just easier and cheaper here, and in New York and London, you're so far out of town (doing the set building) trying to get it right and get it fixed," he said.

Frost said the process of developing new musicals, as opposed to simply remounting a successful overseas version, would help build production skills for the creation of new musicals in the future.

"What this is doing is establishing people like (An Officer And A Gentleman) director Simon Phillips, his choreographer and his assistants, to do new stuff they're not used to doing, because they are used to doing stuff that's already been done and what we are trying to do is to broaden that experience so a lot more directors and a lot more writers get that opportunity," Frost added.

Later next year and early 2014 Frost expects to mount world premieres of Dream Lover: The Bobby Darin Show and Red Dog. His production of Doctor Zhivago is approaching the end of a six month-long run in Seoul and will then be mounted in New York.

The Media Man and Music News Australia agencies were overheard agreeing "Another world class production put on by The Star and Lyric Theatre".

The pitch:

A new musical based on the Paramount Pictures-Lorimar movie "An Officer and a Gentleman" written by Douglas Day Stewart

Music and lyrics by Ken Hirsch and Robin Lerner
Book by Douglas Day Stewart and Sharleen Cooper Cohen
Director Simon Phillips
Choreographer Andrew Hallsworth
Set and Costume Designer Dale Ferguson
Lighting Designer Matt Scott
Musical Director Dave Skelton
Associate Director Dean Bryant
Producers Sharleen Cooper Cohen and John Frost

In association with Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros Theatre Ventures

Based on the hugely successful Academy Award-winning film, this new production has been adapted for the stage by the original screen writer, Douglas Day Stewart and co-writer Sharleen Cooper Cohen, with music and lyrics by Kenny Hirsch and Robin Lerner. It will be produced by Sharleen Cooper Cohen and John Frost, and directed by Simon Phillips (Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical).

The talented cast that will bring this timeless story to life includes Ben Mingay (Jersey Boys) as Zack Mayo, the classic angry young man who grew up in a "sewer" and dreams of flying jets and parlaying this skill into a better life; Amanda Harrison (Wicked) as Paula Pokrifki, the young factory worker who dreams of becoming a nurse and finding a better life without selling out for it, like everyone around her; Kate Kendall (Next to Normal) as Lynette Pomeroy, Paula's best friend who is determined to marry a flier to escape her dead end life, no matter what it takes; and Alex Rathgeber (The Phantom of the Opera) as Sid Worley, the likeable Okie son of a Navy Admiral who is the class "superstar" at the Naval Academy.

A hit across the ages, the 1982 film has become a phenomenon in cinema history, recently listed by the American Film Institute as one of the top ten love stories in cinema history. Featuring the iconic hit song "Up Where We Belong" and a new score by hit song writer Ken Hirsch and Grammy nominee Robin Lerner this timeless tale of struggle, success, friendship and love promises to be the musical blockbuster of 2012.

An Officer and a Gentleman is a triumphant story of working class heroes surviving great tests; a classic modern day love story about a working class boy and girl who must overcome their upbringing and personal weaknesses to accept life and love.

His Story, Her Romance.

Websites

An Officer and a Gentleman - The Musical official website
www.anofficerandagentleman.com.au

The Star
www.star.com.au

Sydney Lyric Theatre
www.sydneylyric.com.au

Echo Entertainment
www.echoentertainment.com.au

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia
www.musicnewsaustralia.com

Jon Stevens plays Blue Beat club, Double Bay, Sydney

Tonight New Zealand - Australian performing artist, Jon Stevens played the newly revamped Blue Beat club at Double Bay in Sydney's east, and he sounded and looked great.

We were pleased that he played the classic 'Reach out and touch somebody' early into the night of entertainment.

The support act was talented singer - songwriter Bonnie Anderson who did a good job of warning up the crowd.

Thank you to everyone involved in making tonight a success.

Profiles

Jon Stevens...

Most recognised for his work as the lead singer of Australian band Noiseworks, who had 4 Australian Top 10 albums, Jon also fronted Australian rock band INXS after the death of its lead singer Michael Hutchence and was part of two Australian productions of Jesus Christ Superstar, playing Judas on both occasions, to high acclaim.

Jon Stevens has led a varied and remarkable career, standing strong through the successes and trials that have earned him a place as a respected performer. Through his solid studio recordings and incredible live performances, Jon has proven himself to be an adaptable, hard-working and inspiring artist. He has walked the boards of the world’s most prestigious stages and enjoyed the opportunity to work alongside the world’s best.

Bonnie Anderson...

Bonnie Anderson is a natural-born performer. Having grown up surrounded by musical family and friends, including her mother who is also a singer, Bonnie’s childhood paved the way for her talents as she spent family time playing music and singing. When she wasn’t surrounded by bands and musicians, Bonnie also took inspiration from her Godfather, world champion boxer Lionel Rose.

In 2007, Australian audiences fell in love with Bonnie’s incredible talent as the then 12 year-old won first place in Australia’s Got Talent. Rather than get swept up in the media bandwagon and subsequent offers of recording and management contracts, Bonnie made the decision to put her future career on hold and ‘just be a kid for a while’.

Bonnie is an incredibly focused performer with professionalism beyond her years, so in pursuit of her ultimate dream to be taken seriously as a singer-songwriter and professional musician, she has chosen to forego an easy fifteen minutes of fame in favour of focusing on the “big picture”.

Like any artist, she has learnt her craft by watching the ‘old masters’ at work and has already shared the stage with some of Australia’s greatest acts including Jimmy Barnes, Diesel, Vanessa Amorosi, Kate Ceberano and Kasey Chambers. In addition to her vocal training, Bonnie also plays both piano and guitar. 2009 was a turning point for Bonnie and saw her tour with Australian icon, Jimmy Barnes, as a backing vocalist.

Now aged seventeen, the story is only beginning...


About Blue Beat...

Announcing Blue Beat, the new venue of Christopher Richards and Nicholas Rice.

Anyone familiar with Chris and Nick won’t be surprised that Blue Beat stands for quality music played by superb musicians, in a setting that gives audiences and musicians alike a memorably satisfying experience.

Blue Beat is founded on the same passion for live music that’s been at the heart of Chris and Nick’s previous venues. For those who don’t know, Nick’s history includes entertainment, promotions and venue consultancy, including key Sydney venues Bar Broadway and the Marquee nightclub. Chris is synonymous with The Basement, as manager, co-owner and booker. After nearly four decades he has strong connections with industry from festival directors to sound technicians, and he brings all this to Blue Beat.

“We think Sydney needs, and deserves, a venue that’s of its time, and caters for reasonably discerning audiences, in a way that puts the music centre-stage”, explains Rice. “But you might also just want to call in for a late-night drink or an after-theatre tapas and a place to talk.”

“So the Blue Beat philosophy is about an exciting journey through the world of contemporary music, around which we’ve built a venue that’s unpretentious but has great attention to detail”, says Richards.



Websites

Jon Stevens official website
www.jonstevens.com.au

Blue Beat
www.bluebeat.com.au 

Bonnie Anderson official website
www.bonnieandersonmusic.com 

Ralph Carr Management
www.ralphcarr.com 


Music News Australia
www.musicnewsaustralia.com