Rocky could have been a contender. Blue chip title, beloved song writing team, high production values, legendary Broadway house. The final twenty or so minutes are quite exhilarating, but they come too […]
Rocky [Broadway Musical] review
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.
If/Then review
Seldom seen in this time of corporate-driven, franchise-ready productions, the star vehicle makes a well-deserved return for Idina Menzel, worshipped and idolized star of music theatre stage, concert hall stage, small screen, […]
Aladdin [Broadway Musical] review
A riot of vivid colour and constant movement, Aladdin is pure, sit-back-and-enjoy-it, see-every-cent-of-your-ticket-price-on-stage entertainment. Throw in a melodic score, laugh-out-loud book and terrific performances, and you have the makings of a well-deserved […]
Met Opera: La Boheme 2014 review
Of all the chocolate box operas, La Bohème is the box of Cadbury favourites: familiar, well-loved, and oh so delicious. Almost all of the Zeffirelli productions have disappeared from the Met but […]
Met Opera: Madama Butterfly 2014 review
Anthony Minghella’s treasured staging makes a welcome return to the Met, providing an ideal star vehicle for fast-rising young Latvian soprano Kristine Opolais.
Roundabout Theatre Company: Cabaret 2014 review
Opera companies do it all the time, so why not theatre companies? Roundabout presents a welcome revival of their acclaimed 1998 revival of Kander and Ebb’s Cabaret. Same designs, same theatre, same […]
Met Opera: Andrea Chenier review
Glorious singing from three well-matched leads characterised this otherwise somewhat uninspiring presentation of Umberto Giordano’s verismo potboiler Andrea Chénier.
Bullets over Broadway the Musical review
A love letter to old Broadway, Bullets is a laugh-a-minute smash, fashioned by consummate theatre professionals into an evening of unabashed theatrical delight.
City Center Encores: The Most Happy Fella review
Encores’ second 2014 presentation created the The Most Happy Audiences, with beaming crowds gushing about this sublime staging of an especially treasured Broadway classic.
Violet review
A highly affecting, emotionally charged journey, Violet boasts an intriguing premise, superb performances from a tight ensemble cast and an intricate, rich score with a distinctly American sound.
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