Transplanting a punk pop album onto a musical theatre stage proves an inspired concept as Melbourne embraces the electric energy of Green Day’s American Idiot.
Green Day’s America Idiot review [Melbourne]
Simon Parris
I have appeared in about 40 productions over the past forty 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, then went on to direct Hot Mikado and the Australian premiere of 13. I have since gone on to direct/choreograph The Music Man Jr and Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr.
At my next school, I was Head of Productions, overseeing up to a dozen productions each year and directing another seven musicals, including The Music Man, Brigadoon and How To Succeed in Business Without really Trying.
I reviewed 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 was on the Board of The Opera Studio Melbourne.
I am a keen audience member, having seen 58 shows in six weeks in a 2012 trip to New York, as well as 57 shows during 6 weeks in London/Europe earlier the same year.
I hope you enjoy reading the news and reviews at Man in Chair. I would love to hear your thoughts on the shows covered here so please feel free to leave your comments.
Hand to God review
Reveling in its crassness, Hand to God is as deliberate in its intent to shock as it is obvious. A very strong local cast adds to the attraction of this Australian premiere.
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical review [Melbourne]
A musical to be cherished, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical arrives in pristine form, packed with lively singing talents who have honed their roles to theatrical perfection.
Bernadette Robinson: The Show Goes On review
With a vocal talent that can only be described as phenomenal, Bernadette Robinson returns to the stage in tailor-made new crowd pleaser, The Show Goes On.
Gilligan’s Island the Musical review
Just as the castaways need rescuing from an uncharted desert isle, so too do the cast and crew need rescuing from the disappointingly dull book and score of Gilligan’s Island the Musical.
Melbourne Opera: Tristan and Isolde review
The delayed opening night of Tristan and Isolde proved well worth the wait, an evening of musical splendour that will live in the hearts and minds of those lucky enough to be […]
StageArt: Falsettos review
Perfectly suited to a boutique scale production, cherished Broadway musical Falsettos shines in this in intimate, meticulously directed new staging.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert review [Melbourne 2018]
Having been embraced upon the world stage, Priscilla Queen of the Desert makes a welcome return home for a tenth anniversary victory lap of Australia.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie review
A joyful celebration of the power of embracing what makes a person special, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is one of the most exciting new British musicals in a long time.
Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella review
Celebrating the twentieth anniversary of its creation, this pristine revival of Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella is a very welcome choice for Sadler’s Wells annual Matthew Bourne winter season.
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