Poppins Gets a Flying Start in Brisbane

After nearly two years on the road perfecting their performance, the cast and crew of Mary Poppins will debut their Brisbane show to the largest ever advance booking in Queensland.

Director of Disney theatrical productions James Thane told AAP the production was thrilled to open on Thursday night in Brisbane, a few hundred kilometers south of Mary Poppins' author PL Travers' birthplace.

"It's a very special moment in the life of the show, internationally, to come back to where the creator of the character was born," he said.

Mr Thane said he had high hopes for the show's success in Brisbane.

"It will be similar to, I think, Melbourne and Sydney where we played to just about 100 per cent capacity."

Verity Hunt Ballard who plays Mary Poppins, told reporters Brisbane audiences can expect a first-rate performance as the cast and crew have perfected the show over the past 18 months.

When asked how she had managed the challenges of playing such an iconic character, she told reporters: "the corset helps".

Matt Lee, a former judge on TV's So You Think You Can Dance, plays Bert, and said it was "mind-blowing" to be involved with such a widely loved production.

"It's such a beautiful story, so wonderfully told by this amazing cast," he told reporters.

Lee said the show's worldwide success would be replicated in Brisbane and that he was eager to return to his performing roots.

"I'm in the biggest forum now for people to judge me," he said. "I love what I do."

The previous ticket sale record for Queensland was held by Wicked, but with nearly 80 per cent of the season's tickets sold before opening, Mary Poppins looks set to fly away with it.

Poppins Gets a Flying Start in Brisbane

Annie The Musical To Get Red Carpet At The Star: Sydney, Australia

Annie The Musical is to get the red carpet treatment at it's 'Sin City' Sydney location this coming Thursday night.

It's hard to imagine that the Lyric Theatre was once closely tied in with the former Star City Casino, but it was. Annie The Musical is hardly the kind of show you would expect to see at a casino complex, but with Echo Entertainment's The Star and its push of mainstream entertainment, its exactly the kind of thing to expect, and for the most part, the media and public at large have been lapping it up.

The Star's Lyric is hardly a stranger to top line entertainment acts with just some of the more recent guests who performed there in various capacities being Snoop Dog, Al Pacino and, Elton John, and the famous 'An Officer And A Gentleman', also produced by John Frost, will play at The Lyric this coming May.

Music News Australia has been able to secure a red hot list of some of the celebrities expected to show up for Thursday's red carpet event:

Kelley Abbey Trevor Ashley Lorraine Bayly Rachael Beck, Ian Stenlake and daughters Mark Beretta Hayley and Nathan Bracken Lauren Brant (Hi-5) Casey Burgess (Hi-5) Tom Burlinson and family Tina Bursill Jonathan Coleman Penny Cook and family Lorrae Desmond Sophie Faulkner and family Mark Ferguson and family Anthony Field and family Amanda Harrison (Wicked) Erika Heynatz and Andrew Kingston David Jones Roberts (Home and Away) Sonia Kruger Jay Laga’aia and family Toni Lamond Guy Leech and family Edwina McCann and twin daughters Glenn McGrath and family Angus McLaren Ben Mingay (Jersey Boys) Sam Moran Amanda Muggleton Barry O’Farrell, Premier of NSW Peter Phelps and family Matt Shirvington and family George Souris, Minister for the Arts Karl Stefanovic and family Maria Venuti Samara Weaving (Home and Away) Matthew White

Sydney has apparently already fallen in love with Annie, and we suspect that the Alan Jones factor (active media heavyweight playing a role in the musical) hasn't hurt ticket sales or its publicity machine.

Ticket sales musical Annie are rocketing towards 100,000! We understand there are currently about 80,000 theatregoers already claiming their seats to the musical, which opens to the public tomorrow night, and no doubt will be swamped by news media.

Approximately 20,000 of those tickets were sold in the past couple of weeks, despite strong competition for the entertainment dollar, including the Phantom Of The Opera sequel Love Never Dies, which begins previewing on Sunday. Who would have thought that The Star would be giving the likes of the Capitol Theatre and the Sydney Opera House a run for their money with musicals et al.

"If anyone has any concern about musical theatre going down the drain, they're in the wrong business. People are spending their money and wanting great entertainment", producer Frost has told Australian media.

The battle for the Australian entertainment dollar is just heating up, and certainly Sydney's The Star is going full speed ahead and betting that world class entertainment will remain paramount in the quest to bring more punters to land based casinos and entertainment complexes.

Extra media blurb we secured...

The timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie is back, giving a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about never giving up hope. Boasting one of Broadway's most memorable scores, including It's the Hard-Knock Life, Easy Street, N.Y.C. and the ever-optimistic Tomorrow, Annie is one of the most awarded and loved musicals of all time. Reprising one of his all-time favourite roles as the charismatic and sophisticated New York ‘zillionaire' Daddy Warbucks, is Anthony Warlow. He will be joined by the ever-popular Nancye Hayes playing everyone's favourite villain, Miss Hannigan. Todd McKenney, Chloë Dallimore and Julie Goodwin also bring their talents to this delightful musical. And in a special treat, radio star Alan Jones will join the cast in the role of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

A MESSAGE FROM PRODUCER JOHN FROST

It gives me great pleasure to bring ANNIE back to Australian audiences. When I produced this show 12 years ago I was overwhelmed by the response it received. ANNIE is such a well known, well loved production that appeals to so many different age groups. Its popularity means that it is staged once a year in many countries around the world, and I have no doubt that the Australian audiences are well and truly ready to see it again.

This time around, I am especially delighted to be able to work once more with Australia's favourite leading man, Anthony Warlow and theatrical legend Nancye Hayes.

To be taking this wonderful show and the star studded cast on tour in 2012 presents a unique and exciting opportunity to reach a new generation of Australians and it gives me enormous pleasure to think that people Australia wide will again be able to experience this special production.

Websites

The Star www.star.com.au

Annie The Musical www.anniethemusical.com.au

Lyric Theatre www.lyrictheatre.com.au

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography www.evarinaldi.com

Media Man News www.mediamannews.com

Casino News Media www.casinonewsmedia.com

Music News Australia www.musicnewsaustralia.com

Celebrate and save with friends - Ipswich Shows

Get a group together for a great night out at the Ipswich Civic Centre. We say ‘the more the merrier’ with our special group booking discounts.

Whether you’re in the mood for a laugh with the Comedy Festival, singalong with David Campbell or bust a move with Busting Out!, we’ve got the show for you.

David Campbell 8 July 2012 | 8.00pm Groups 10+ $50.00 Save $10 per ticket David is one of the country’s most popular entertainers. Known for his energetic LIVE shows and selling out tours from coast to coast - expect nothing less from his next one night only tour to Ipswich. Read more.

Boy Girl Wall 15-16 June 2012 | 7.30pm Groups 10+ $25.00 Save $10 per ticket Following sell-out seasons across Australia, this hilarious smash-hit production by The Escapists is a stunning celebration of theatricality, imagination and the joy of play. Read more.

Men in Pink Tights 3 June 2012 | 7.30pm Groups 10+ $59.90 Save $10 per ticket Making their World Premiere season in Australia, LES BALLETS ELOELLE are bringing their new production - the most spectacular, talented and hilarious all-male comedy ballet ever. Read more.

Melbourne Comedy Festival Roadshow 22 May 2012 | 7.30pm Groups 10+ $25.00 Save $10 per ticket Stuffing one of the world’s largest comedy festivals into the one show is no easy feat, but the Melbourne International Comedy Festival has done just that with Roadshow 2012. Read more.

Busting Out! 8 March 2012 | 8.00pm Groups 10+ $39.90 Save $7 per ticket Direct from sold out seasons in London and Los Angeles, the Australian made, international hit show Busting Out! is touring Australia in 2012. Read more.

Please Note:
Ipswich Civic Centre will be closed from 1:00pm on Friday, 23 December 2011 to Monday, 9 January 2012.

Ipswich Civic Centre Ticket Office will be closed from 1.00pm on Friday, 23 December 2011 to Tuesday, 3 January 2012.

Celebrate and save with friends - Ipswich Shows

Love Never Dies Package @ Metro Hotel Sydney Central @ Metro Hotel Sydney Central - Metro Hotels

Love Never Dies Package @ Metro Hotel Sydney Central (Tickets are not inclusive)

The Love Never Dies Package at Metro Hotel Sydney Central for $165.00 per package (maximum 2 people per package) includes:

One night's accommodation in a Superior Queen Room
Bottle of wine and chocolates on arrival.
Extended check-out to 12 noon the following day
Book this Love Never Dies Package at Metro Hotel Sydney Central

View Metro Hotel Sydney Central

Terms and Conditions:

Offer is strictly subject to availability and may not be available for special event dates.
Valid for stays between 8th January 12 and 31st March 12.
Rates are not valid with any other offer.
All other terms & conditions will be provided when making your booking
Bookings are non-refundable.

http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special/242

Love Never Dies Package @ Metro Hotel Sydney Central @ Metro Hotel Sydney Central - Metro Hotels

Ipswich Events: Rhonda Burchmore 'Legs 11' Early bird ends soon - Ipswich Events

Blessed with fabulous legs, a great voice and acting magnetism, Rhonda Birchmore has performed her way around the world, starring alongside Hollywood greats such as Mickey Rooney, Anne Miller and Anthony Newly.

In her latest show, Legs 11, Rhonda relives precious musical memories of her life in song. She has chosen songs from shows in which she has starred over the years, including Sugar Babies, Hot Shoe Shuffle, Stop The World I Want To Get Off, Annie Get Your Gun, Guys & Dolls, Into The Woods, Mame, The Drowsy Chaperone and of course, Mammia Mia.

The Legs 11 songlist is a music lover's feast, with Birth of the Blues, What Kind Of Fool Am I, The Last Man In My Life, Dancing Queen, Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend, Shakin' The Blues Away, Fever and many more.

Book now for a night of dazzling dance, breathing gowns and spectacular music and song with Australia's leading lady, Rhonda Burchmore.

Early Bird Tickets $39.00 - available until 23 December 2011
Adults $45.00 Concession/Student $42.00

SHOW DETAILS Dates: Saturday 14 April 2012 Time: 7.30pm Tickets: Early bird discount $39.00 (until 23/12) Adult $45.00 | Conc/student $42.00 More Info: Entertainment Send To A Friend: Think someone else will enjoy this show? Then send this to a friend HOW TO BOOK Phone: 3810 6100 (Credt Card Only) Monday - Friday 8.00am - 4.30pm In Person: Visit the Ipswich Civic Centre Ticket Office located at: 143 Brisbane Street, Ipswich (Entry from Ipswich City Mall). Monday - Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm If you order online, you can now select your seat or let us choose the best available for your group.

Rhonda Burchmore 'Legs 11' Early bird ends soon - Ipswich Events

Metro Hotel Sydney Central: Now Showing at Capitol Theatre: Love Never Dies

From the composer of some of the greatest musicals of all time, Andrew Lloyd Webber's breathtaking new musical - Love Never Dies. This production will play for a strictly limited 12 week season at the Capitol Theatre from next January.

Love Never Dies continues the story of The Phantom of the Opera and features one of Lloyd Webber's finest musical scores performed by a 21 piece orchestra. The production also features a stunning cast of 36, including Ben Lewis, Anna O'Byrne and Sharon Millerchip, as well as over 300 incredible costumes and a magnificent set which is illuminated by over 5000 dazzling lights.

Set in New York's Coney Island 10 years after the Phantom's disappearance from the Paris Opera House, the Phantom still yearns for his love Christine. He engineers a plan that lures her to Coney Island, along with her husband Raoul and their young son Gustave...not knowing what's in store for them.

Running Time is approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes

Visit the official Love Never Dies website here

Book Ideally Located Accommodation at Metro Hotel Sydney Central

Now Showing at Capitol Theatre: Love Never Dies

Marilyn Manson Australian Tour 2012 – Soundwave Sidewaves

Marilyn Manson has announced Australian tour dates on the back of their appearance on the Soundwave 2012 line-up next year. They’ll be doing 3 sideshows at Eaton Hill Hotel in Brisbane, Enmore Theatre in Sydney and Metro City in Perth, with Coal Chamber and Wednesday 13 and Motionless in White.

Very rarely does an artist come along that defies the boundaries of convention and remains relevant in a storied career spanning over two decades, selling in excess of 50 million albums. Marilyn Manson has successfully pioneered ‘Shock Rock’ whilst redefining alternative music, blazing a trail of controversy and originality.

Joining Manson will be the recently reformed Coal Chamber. Disbanding at the peak of their career in 2002, Coal Chamber will be joining the Soundwave tour as well as Manson on his Sidewaves.

Forming whilst on hiatus with Murderdolls, Wednesday 13 has firmly cemented himself as the leader in Horrorpunk. With an unruly live show of fun and debauchery.

With a blend of intense melodic metal and a penchant for the macabre, Motionless in White is taking the metal world by storm. Their spectacular debut album Creatures has fans and critics alike singing their praises.

Tickets on Sale Friday 16 December, 9am

Marilyn Manson (Coal Chamber, Wednesday 13, Motionless in White) Australian Tour 2012 – Soundwave Sidewaves

Eaton Hill Hotel, Brisbane – Lic a/A
Friday 24 February

Enmore Theatre, Sydney – Lic a/A
Wednesday 29 February

Metro City, Perth – 18+
Tuesday 6 March
*Coal Chamber and Motionless In White not appearing in Perth