I have appeared in about 40 productions over the past thirty-three years. Favourite roles include Eugene Fodor and Junior in (separate productions of) Crazy for You, Mr Fox in Mack and Mabel, Max in The Sound of Music, Freddy in My Fair Lady, Julio in Paint Your Wagon, Marcellus in The Music Man and Grantaire in Les Miserables.
I have directed several school productions. I choreographed Urinetown and Little Shop of Horrors for St Michael’s Grammar School, then went on to direct Hot Mikado and the Australian premiere of 13 for St Michael’s. I have since gone on to direct/choreograph The Music Man Jr and Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr for St Michael's.
I review music theatre and opera for Theatre People and the Sunday Herald Sun (Melbourne). I served on the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria Committee for five years as Treasurer and I am currently on the Board of The Opera Studio Melbourne.
I am a keen audience member, having seen 58 shows in six weeks in New York this year, as well as 57 shows during 6 weeks in London/Europe earlier this year.
I hope you enjoy reading the news and reviews at Simon Parris: Man in Chair. I would love to hear your thoughts on the shows covered here so please feel free to leave your comments.
In an evening of sterling musicianship, master singer Bryn Terfel held a capacity audience spellbound in a carefully curated program that also saw Orchestra Victoria performing at their very best.
With the bubble and fizz of a freshly poured flute of champagne, Opera Australia’s new operetta Two Weddings, One Bride is enhanced by the shining talents of its sextet cast.
Working at the very height of their powers, The Production Company rewards Melbourne for 21 years of love and support with a superlative production of epic 1999 Broadway musical Ragtime.
One of the most charming, heartfelt recent Broadway musicals you have never heard of, Bright Star is given a lovingly crafted production by Pursued by Bear, the intimate stage of Chapel off […]
Well worth the twenty-five-year wait, this was the Moment, not just for Anthony Warlow to actually play Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde on stage, but also for Australia to finally see a […]
OSMaD captures the emotional power of modern classic Miss Saigon, distinguishing the new production with a perfectly cast set of performers and a generously sized orchestra.
Victorian Opera continue their extraordinary run of original works, presenting a finely appointed production of world premiere youth opera The Selfish Giant.
Brightly polished to a gleaming sparkle, jukebox gem Mamma Mia! benefits from fresh, creative design, brought to life by a well-balanced blend of new and experienced cast members who capture the beating […]
Christmas arrives early, as uproariously funny romantic comedy Black is the New White ties a big fluffy bow around the shared commonality of family politics, the delicate delineation of race relations and […]
Adventurous opera lovers of Melbourne were treated to a one-night-only concert of 1926 German opera Jonny Strikes Up!, giving the work its long overdue Australian premiere.
