Overflowing with heart, invention and wonder, new musical Finding Neverland is an artful, amusing and affecting night at the theatre.
Finding Neverland review [Broadway]
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.
Something Rotten review
Jam-packed with all the ingredients of a surefire smash hit, Something Rotten is funny without being unnecessarily smutty, and clever without being particularly original.
The Visit review [Broadway]
“I’m unkillable,” proclaims Claire Zachanassian, and her portrayer Chita Rivera might well make the same decree, as Kander and Ebb’s final musical The Visit makes its long-awaited visit to Broadway.
Honeymoon in Vegas review [Broadway]
Who knew that Jason Robert Brown, king of the introspective power ballad, had such a splashy, dishy, old-fashioned musical comedy like Honeymoon in Vegas in him?
Papermill Playhouse: The Hunchback of Notre Dame review
An obvious and appealing title to become a stage musical, The Hunchback of Notre Dame features soaring music and heightened drama packaged in a impressive and inventive production.
An American in Paris review [Broadway]
A truly thrilling new work of high class and polish, An American in Paris is the rare new musical aimed mostly at a discerning adult audience.
Met Opera: Ernani review [2015]
Placido Domingo and James Levine, a pair of sentimental favourites and masterful talents, draw much audience affection at Met Opera’s revival of Ernani.
Met Opera: Don Carlo review [2015]
Five superb lead singers distinguish Met Opera’s revival of the 2010 co-production of Verdi’s epic drama Don Carlo.
On The Twentieth Century review [Broadway 2015]
All aboard for a generous slice of music theatre heaven as Roundabout Theatre Company revive decedent backstage musical On The Twentieth Century.
On The Town review [Broadway 2015]
Already a helluva show, this vivid, technicolor revival makes On The Town the sprightliest 71-year-old on the block.
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