Director Simon Phillips and team redefine the boundaries of music theatre in this gripping, moving and ultimately uplifting new musical.
An Officer and A Gentleman The Musical review
Simon Parris
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.
Met Opera Ring Cycle 2012 review
No longer a Ring virgin, I am now a fully qualified Lord of the Ring after sitting through all 19 or so hours of the Met’s epic, and somewhat controversial, new Ring […]
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes review
Megan Hilty from Smash on stage in a Marilyn Monroe role. Now why didn’t I think of that?
Met Opera Billy Budd review
Avoiding the potential melodrama of a male love triangle, the Met’s rarely seen production of Billy Budd maintains a grave integrity and a compassion for its characters.
2012 Broadway Play reviews
We used to call them “those shows without songs,” but this year’s plays have plenty of songs and music. In fact, two plays took Tony nominations for Best Score, a category that […]
Met Opera The Makropulos Case review
In a style that could almost be described as film noir, The Makropulos Case is a rare entry in the opera thriller genre.
Godspell review
Newcomer Corbin Bleu (High School Musical) is a perfect fit in this frenetic, modern update of Stephen Schwartz’s time-honoured classic.
The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess review
The classic folk opera Porgy and Bess shimmers to life in this truncated, but lovingly staged, adaptation.
Once review
An unexpectedly charming treat, Once wins over the audience early and never lets go until the bittersweet end.
Jesus Christ Superstar review
Featuring the best singing currently to be heard on Broadway, Jesus Christ Superstar makes a welcome return in this slick, expertly understated production.
