Pool Party

The Pool Party was held last night, rain and all, but it seems everyone enjoyed themselves!

I have been working on the Pool Party Committee as the Entertainment Producer since late last year. Of course things were cruisy in the early days, but then, as you would expect, all the long nights and hundreds of phone calls happen in these last few weeks! I was switched on to Shelley-hyperdrive!

With the NMG costume workshop unable to help costume pool party show (compounded with being only told this just weeks before the party night when there wasn't a spare Janome in Sydney not already busy!), I was the one who was left to make the costumes for the show - my first set of costumes EVER - and even I was surprised that they looked good! (BTW, thanks to my gorgeous friend, Tim, who overlocked for me when needed!)

Unfortunately I don't have a group picture of the show cast (it got accidentally deleted from my digital camera) but I'm sure I can find a shot or two somewhere and post it..

As far as the Pool Party show - it went well. We had no stage lights (they went out and stayed out when it poured down raining!), but the pool's normal floodlights kept us lit. Fortunately showtime had clear skies, so we weren't battling any wind or rain. Everyone was so excited as we made our way to the stage!

Disappointingly, there were a few issues with the crowd & photographers in the way and not marshaled while the show was on - which made performing difficult, but we managed to make it work in the end and we had heaps of fun doing it!

The story was that we were on a cruise ship, dancing away to "Copacabana" when we strike a storm (fortunately the real one had already been by earlier in the night!). My nod to Priscilla ("The Morning After"), was in the middle of the show, as we abandoned the cruise ship and made our way an island.. (Ironically "The Poseidon Adventure was on TV earlier that day - Spooky!) There we meet the natives! With Ru Bella cast as the Tribal Queen, she quickly seduces my lover, the Captain of the ship, and I am unceremoniously dumped. In the finale, I end up in the water and I can tell you, after the show looked like a drowned rat making my way back to the dressingroom! When I think of that, it brings a smile to my face.. It was a hoot..

The New Mardi Gras chair, Marcus, said he loved the show and started talking about next years parties to me.. so fingers crossed I guess I might end up doing it again next year! I already have some other show ideas in the pipeline - so planning has already started! :-)

There was some big lessons I learnt from working on the show, not only as the Producer creating the show, but also within the Working Group for the NMG Pool Party. I have produced dance party shows before, but when you add a pool to the mix, there is more to think about for sure!

My thanks go out to all the people who have helped me with the show - especially over the last few weeks! To the whole Pool Party Committee, everyone I spoke to at NMG, Marcus, Mark, Kerry, Leah, Brad and of course all the performers - thank you so much! The biggest thank you goes to my boyfriend who pitched in and helped me whenever he could! I love you sweetie..

Hope you all enjoy next weekend! My family will be arriving Wednesday, and I'm looking forward to showing them "Gay Sydney". Come up and say hello if you see us out... in the meantime...

HAPPY MARDI GRAS!

Hats Off 2007

Hats Off was an amazing success!

It raised a HUGE amount of money for ACON and proved why Laurence Stark and Trevor Ashley are DIVA Award winning producers.

With the cast of Priscilla making special cameos through the night, it was a fabulous night.

Speaking of Priscilla, we had the pleasure of working with Joel, one of the boys from Priscilla The Musical. He was a little nervous backstage before the show, so he hung out with us "girls" backstage..


He really got into the fun of it all!


After Joel brought the house down with "Don't Tell Mama" from Cabaret, we also got the chance to mingle with the other guests like...

Caroline O'Connor

Nikki Webster

If you missed the show this year, make sure you listen out for it next year - it's always a huge success and has never disappointed! With so many big names of the Australian musical theatre industry donating their time for charity, how can you go wrong?

Hats Off! 2007 - Mardi Gras Festival Event

This night is one of the most fun-filled nights on the Mardi Gras calender - I'm serious!

Those who love musical theatre will already know about this show - those that don't, ought to know about it! It stars the cream of Australia's musical theatre legends and is produced by Oz Showbiz Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, with all proceeds going to ACON.

Trevor Ashley and Laurence Stark, winners of the "DIVA Variety Award" 2006, are putting together a bigger and better show than last year - and I'm lucky to be part of it!

Hats off pays tribute to Kander & Ebb, and will feature songs from Cabaret, Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman and many more. Trevor promised me that the Showroom will be turned into the Kit Kat Club for the night.

This year I'm performing alongside Joel, one of the young boys playing the role of Mitzi's son in Priscilla, and we're opening Act 2. With some drag queens on his side, this talented young performer (who you might end up seeing in "Billy Elliot" when it premieres in Sydney later this year), will be singing "Don't Tell Mama" from Cabaret. "....

"Mama, doesn't even have an inkling, that I'm working in a drag show, in a pair of sequin pants.."

Camp! (although "Mama" has been at all rehearsals and knows all about his drag show shenanigans! She is such a sweet Mum, - not a stage-mum at all!)

Also performing is Caroline O'Connor (among some other huge names - I've been asked not to say much on here..), who is a huge supporter of this event, and always happy to raise funds for a good cause.

Come along to the Showroom tomorrow night (11 Feb - 8pm) for a memorable night's entertainment. You won't be disappointed.

Click here for tickets and more details..

Must See Events & Shows Over Mardi Gras & Beyond

There are a number of events that I recommend seeing, especially if you have friends and family coming to Sydney during Mardi Gras.. (like I do!)

SWEENEY TODD @ Opera Theatre, Sydney Opera House

I went to see this production on the 23rd Jan, and it was such a fun show. Technically not an Opera, this musical's limelight is stolen by Judi Connelli in her lead role. I absolutely recommend seeing this production!

I'm going to watch La Traviata this week, so will tell you if you need to see that too!

PRISCILLA @ Lyric Theatre, Star City

I saw the show this week for the 7th time. New scripting and subtle changes have made the show snappier and even more fun! I basically know the choreography and script now from watching it so much.. I'll live in hope one day someone will break a leg and I get a call! (I shouldn't say that - it's awful.. but then I am a queen... ) As it seems, there is again one performer who is stealing the show and better in the role each time I watch - Tony Sheldon. Also working hard is Nick Hardcastle (understudy for Felicia). He has been in the role for a while and is doing very well too! Make sure you don't miss it! I'm booked in for Mardi Gras Eve with my family.. bring on number 8!

HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH @ Tom Mann Theatre, Surry Hills

I have previously reviewed this production last year, before it became the official "Show of the Year"! It is returning to Sydney for a encore season after touring interstate. It is a musical for those who hate musicals, and has a strong cult following. I had the pleasure of meeting iOTA, the lead performer in the show, at my Stonewall shows last week. He is such a sweet man, and a talented performer - an absolute star. Don't miss this show if you did last time! Redeem yourself!

HOLDING THE MAN @ SBW Stables Theatre, Kings Cross

I had the pleasure of meeting the script writer, Tommy Murphy at the Priscilla Opening Night Party, where he spoke for a short time about adapting the book to the stage. I have read the book when I was at WAAPA studying my dance degree, and it is a powerful story. I have heard the show is quite an emotional experience and highly recommended. Tickets are hard to get as they go fast, but there are regular release of tickets to look out for.. Check out the theatre's website for ticketing details.

THE TIMES OF MY LIFE @ Ensemble Theatre, Kirribilli

Toni Lamond, mother of Tony Sheldon (mentioned above), has her one-woman show playing now at the Ensemble Theatre. Co-written by mother and son, this show has received rave reviews. My partner and I are dying to go, and I will have to try to organise a night off rehearsals just to see it!

MARDI GRAS FESTIVAL IS NOW ON! GET OUT THERE AND SUPPORT THE FESTIVAL WHICH HAS BEEN CREATED FOR YOU!