JONAH - Support a powerful work of Australian musical theatre...

For those of you who have never heard of the musical JONAH (which is probably a healthy portion of the Australian theatregoing public...I had no idea what it was until I was cast in it!), I thought I'd provide a brief introduction to the piece, for those who are interested, before it opens at Playlovers on July 21st for a two-week-only season... JONAH Music by Alan John Book, Lyrics and Adaptation by John Romeril Directed by JOHN MILSON Musical Direction by ALISTAIR SMITH A rare and powerful work of Australian musical theatre, JONAH is set in the slums of inner Sydney circa 1905, and tells the story of a hunchbacked street thug who rises to success in the cut-throat world of big business. Along the way he encounters love, fatherhood, various hardships and a rich range of colorful characters that alternately aid and oppose his journey to the top. Based on the classic Australian novel by Louis Stone, the musical version of JONAH was originally commissioned by the Sydney Theatre Company. However, after its premiere production in 1985, starring Simon Burke and Geraldine Turner, it vanished from the world of mainstream Australian theatre, with a 1991 staging in Adelaide (starring Nancye Hayes and John Wood of BLUE HEELERS fame) the only other professional mounting of the show. Director John Milson has had a leading hand in the musical’s development over the years, refining it during his time as head of musical theatre at the WA Academy of Performing Arts, with the aid of composer Alan John. Milson is proud to be at the helm of JONAH’s community theatre debut, stating, “This musical is distinctively Australian and has a dramatic integrity, which makes it a very powerful work that really should be heard more often.” JONAH plays at 8pm, July 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30 and 31 with a 4pm matinee on July 25. Tickets are $25, $20 concession – book on 0415 777 173, bookings@playlovers.org.au or through BOCS on 9484 1133. Playlovers is located at Hackett Hall, Draper Street (off Underwood Avenue), Floreat. More information about Playlovers is at www.playlovers.org.au. Starring (in alphabetical order) – GILLIAN BINKS - Clara JOSHUA BRANT - Waxy MAREE COLE - Ada TIM HOW - Packer BREEAHN JONES - Pinkey TYLER JONES - Jonah CAROLYN LATTER - Ma Yabsley LINDSAY McNAB - Sarah Bolan/Miss Giltinan CHRISTINA ODAM - Various Roles ALAN O’NEILL - Various Roles BARRY PREECE - Pasch ROD WORTH - Chook Please take this opportunity to see and support this rare and wonderful Australian work, one of the few homegrown musicals whose dramatic power and sophisticated writing can stand up against the international offerings that more commonly pepper our community theatre scene! Tyler Jones :-)