Visiting superstars, theatre renovations, a maestro exposed and the untimely death of a beloved international baritone dominate the 2017 year of opera.
Opera Year in Review 2017
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.
Music Theatre Year in Review 2017
The boutique musical boom went off the boil in 2017, while on the professional scene, Melbourne’s East End was dominated by one man: Casey Nicholaw.
The Australian Ballet School: Coppélia review
The mysterious Dr Coppelius may be far more sinister than jolly old Santa Claus, but his status as a toy-maker means he is a welcome visitor in the festive season. The Australian Ballet […]
MTC: Vivid White review
A satire about satire, new Eddie Perfect musical Vivid White is as surprising as it is amusing, as familiar as it is shocking, and as polarising as it is entertaining.
The Last Five Years review
A new collective of committed artists breathes fresh life into independent musical theatre favourite The Last Five Years with an immersive, music-centric production.
Muriel’s Wedding the Musical review
The long awaited Great Australian Musical has finally arrived. By turns hilarious and heart-rending, Muriel’s Wedding the Musical is as meticulously crafted and brilliantly performed as the best that Broadway has to […]
Opera Australia: The Merry Widow review
Merrier than ever, The Merry Widow returns in a decadent new production.
Melbourne Opera: Roberto Devereux review
In yet another triumph, Melbourne Opera not only presents a superb evening of bel canto opera, but also corrects a long-standing arts omission by staging the Australian premiere of Donizetti’s Roberto Devereux.
The Production Company: Brigadoon review
An intelligent update and a terrific cast make Brigadoon an immensely satisfying offering from The Production Company.
CLOC Musical Theatre: A Chorus Line review
CLOC Musical Theatre revives seminal Broadway classic A Chorus Line in a production that neatly balances a fresh interpretation with respectfully traditional elements.
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