Two Hit Musicals Take the Stage at Adelaide Festival Centre

ADELAIDE IT’S YOUR TURN! ELVIS: A MUSICAL REVOLUTION ANNOUNCED

David Venn Enterprises (Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical, The Wedding Singer, Bring It On: The Musical) is thrilled to announce the cast and creative team for the Adelaide premiere of Elvis: A Musical Revolution. Penned by acclaimed international writers, Elvis: A Musical Revolution is a new bio-musical exploring the extraordinary life of award-winning cultural icon and rock ‘n’ roll superstar, Elvis Presley. The hit musical will rock into Adelaide on 3 Apr at Her Majesty’s Theatre and features a stellar cast.

Mainstage and television star Rob Mallett will continue to shine in the iconic role of Elvis Presley after receiving rave reviews and securing the role from over 700 applicants nation-wide. Growing up in Tasmania’s Huon Valley and working in his family’s apple orchard while on a performing arts school scholarship, Rob was initially set on joining the Defence Force when he realised his real passion was performing. Since then, he hasn’t looked back, securing roles in main stage musicals such as Disney’s Aladdin, Singin’ In The Rain, Les Misérables, and Australian television programmes including Home and Away and House Husbands.

Rob Mallett: “I have been influenced by people who have been influenced by Elvis and I didn’t even know it, he is so deeply ingrained in the fabric of our culture. It is an absolute honour to have the opportunity to play him.”

Rob Mallett and Cast – Elvis – A Musical Revolution (Photo credit: Ken Leanfore)

Performing the role of Elvis Presley’s mother Gladys is Noni McCallum (Come From Away, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Muriel’s Wedding), with Ian Stenlake (Sea Patrol, Stingers, Mamma Mia) playing Elvis’ manager Colonel Parker. Annie Chiswell (Friends! The Musical Parody, Mamma Mia) performs the role of Priscilla Presley and Kirby Burgess (Dirty Dancing, Grease, The Wedding Singer) will play Hollywood actress Ann-Margaret.

The musical features over 40 iconic Elvis Presley hits, such as Jailhouse Rock, Hound Dog, That’s All Right, All Shook Up, Suspicious Minds, Heartbreak Hotel, Burning Love, Blue Suede Shoes, Good Rockin’ Tonight, Don’t Be Cruel, Are You Lonesome, Return to Sender, Teddy Bear, A Big Hunk O’ Love, See See Rider, Can’t Help Falling In Love, A Little Less Conversation, Guitar Man and more.

Presented in partnership with Authentic Brands Group (Authentic), owner of Elvis Presley Enterprises, the musical explores pivotal moments in Elvis’ life from his childhood in Tupelo, Mississippi through to his triumphant ’68 Comeback Special. Audiences of all ages will have the chance to connect with the music of a generation that continues to have an undeniable cultural impact. David Venn Enterprises (DVE) has also welcomed a dream team of Australian creatives with Alister Smith as Director, Michael Ralph as Choreographer, and Daniel Puckey as Musical Director.

Director Alister Smith: “I hope our production helps Adelaide audiences see the man behind the myth and discover how a boy from humble beginnings became the greatest icon of all time. It’s such a fascinating and inspiring story, and I couldn’t be more excited!”  

“This show is an all-out spectacle of a show with over 40 of Elvis’ most loved songs performed by a knockout all Australian cast! Audiences of all ages are in for an unforgettable theatre experience.”

Rob Mallett and Cast – Elvis – A Musical Revolution (Photo credit: Daniel Boud)

Other creative team members include Dan Potra as Set Designer, Isaac Lummis as Costume Designer, Declan O’Neill as Lighting Designer, David McKinnon as Video Designer, and Greg Ginger as Sound Designer. Mark Andrew also joined the team as an Elvis consultant, bringing a wealth of knowledge to the production having toured the world as an Elvis tribute artist and working with people who knew Elvis Presley himself.

Further cast members include Sienna Embrey (Hairspray) who performs the role of Elvis’ close friend and one time girlfriend Dixie, with Matt Heyward (The Phantom of the Opera, My Fair Lady) playing Vernon Presley, Elvis’ father. Ben Hall (Devil’s Playground, Love Child, Neighbours) plays Memphis record producer Sam Phillips. Rounding out the cast is Aidan O Cleirigh as Scotty Moore; Hanlon Innocent as Bill Black; Connor Morel as DJ Fontana; Zuleika Khan as Betty & Others; Jo-Anne Jackson as Sister Rosetta Tharpe & Others; Charly Williams as Jackie Brenston & Others; and Joti Gore as Roy Brown & Others.

The energetic ensemble will feature Nic Collins, Lauren Jimmieson, Callum Marshall, William Motunuu, James MacAlpine, Moniquewa Williams, Nicole Vella, and David Cuny as alternate Elvis for select performances.

David Abbinanti and Sean Cercone have written the book for the musical, with David composing the Orchestrations, Arrangements and Additional Music & Lyrics. Together they have worked on a slew of hit internationally touring musicals such as Saturday Night Fever: The Musical and Ghost: The Musical, collaborating with Oscar and Grammy winners.

Rob Mallett – Elvis – A Musical Revolution (Photo credit: Daniel Boud)

TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR ADELAIDE SEASON OF CHICAGO

Tickets are on sale for the Adelaide season of “The sharpest, slickest show on the block” (The Times UK). One of Australia’s favourite musicals, CHICAGO will play at the Festival Theatre, Adelaide from 4 Aug 2024 for a strictly limited season.

Australia’s leading theatre producer, John Frost for Crossroads Live, has assembled a stellar cast for CHICAGO. One of Australian theatre’s greatest leading men, Anthony Warlow (The Phantom of the Opera), will step into the shoes of the cunning and charismatic lawyer Billy Flynn. Returning to the stage to play the powerful and glamorous Velma Kelly is one of Australia’s favourite actors, Zoë Ventoura (Packed to the Rafters). Joining her as the irreverent and determined Roxie Hart is in-demand musical theatre star Lucy Maunder (Mary Poppins). As Roxie’s gullible and hapless husband, Amos, will be much-loved comedy icon and character actor Peter Rowsthorn. Following her star turn as Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray, Asabi Goodman joins the cast as the tough and sassy prison warden Matron ‘Mama’ Morton.

S. Valeri will feature as the soft-hearted crime reporter Mary Sunshine, while the talented group of ensemble and swings comprises Hayden Baum, Devon Braithwaite, Olivia Carniato, Angelique Cassimatis, Todd Dewberry, Louis Fontaine, Sarah Heath, Scout Hook, Matthew Jenson, Ethan Jones, Savannah Lind, Kristina McNamara, Tom New, Nathan Pinnell, Rania Potaka-Osborne, Priscilla Stavrou and Romina Villafranca..

“We have an extraordinary cast led by Anthony Warlow, Zoë Ventoura, Lucy Maunder, Peter Rowsthorn and Asabi Goodman alongside the hottest ensemble in town. I can’t wait to bring them to Adelaide,” said John Frost “CHICAGO has everything that people love about a Broadway musical – a story of fame, fortune and all that jazz, one show-stopping number after another and the most amazing dancing you’ve ever seen. Come along and enjoy the razzle dazzle of this New York institution.”

Zoë Ventoura and ensemble All That Jazz CHICAGO (Photo credit: Jeff Busby)

Set amidst the decadence of the 1920s, CHICAGO is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer Billy Flynn to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids.

CHICAGO, which is based on the 1926 play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, has a legendary book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. The 1996 Broadway revival of CHICAGO is choreographed by Tony Award winner Ann Reinking in the style of Bob Fosse and is directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie. CHICAGO features set design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Tony Award winner Ken Billington and sound design by Scott Lehrer.

Murder, greed, corruption, exploitation, adultery, treachery … and All That Jazz. What else could you desire in a musical? The original and the best, CHICAGO is back. It would be a crime to miss it!

“★★★★★ Sexy and sophisticated, a musical masterclass.” – The West Australian

“★★★★★ From the overture to the bows, Chicago enthrals with velvet voices, jazz hands, adultery, humour and murder.” – Arts Hub

“★★★★★ “Genius. Breathtaking.” – WA Today.

“★★★★ masterful star studded production.” – The Guardian “Slick, clean and polished… Chicago is the show of the year!” – Australian Arts Review