Natalie Dessay dons the infamous red cocktail dress in Willy Decker’s controversial 2005 Salzburg Festival staging of La Traviata, now playing at the Met.
Met Opera La Traviata 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.
Newsies review
Wow! A palpable hit, Newsies exudes charm, flair and lashings of male energy that are bound to ensure a run far beyond the limited season currently advertised.
Leap of Faith review
Based on the largely forgotten 1992 movie, Leap of Faith leapt into town due to the availability of the prestigious St James Theater and the perceived lack of competition for Best Musical. […]
Evita review
What kind of goddess has lived among us?
Man in Chair presents Catch Me If You Can
Same composers, same era, same director and choreographer, same designers, same Broadway theatre, even some of the same stars – why did Catch Me If You Can flop where Hairspray shone?
The Production Company Season 2012
The Production Company today announced the three fabulous Broadway musicals that make up their exciting 2012 season.
La Traviata Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour review
An artistic triumph on every level, La Traviata cements Australia’s position as an international opera destination. There was trepidation in approaching this outdoor spectacle, a fear that overblown “if you build it, […]
Sneak Peek: Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour La Traviata
Anticipation for Saturday night’s premiere of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour La Traviata is at fever pitch in Sydney, the city decked out in festive posters and flags and that huge crane […]
The Rake’s Progess Review
Victorian Opera has attracted a highly talented team to stage this rarely seen opera, ensuring a remarkable production. Stravinsky’s music cannot quite be described as melodic, but it is certainly interesting and […]
La Cage aux Folles review
A top-notch cast brings perennial favourite La Cage aux Folles glittering back to life in this ambitious staging by Quirky Productions. Still as current as today’s headlines, ever loveable La Cage envelopes […]
Man in Chair 