Mixed Bag Of Broadway Musicals : Last Burlesque Show Is A Blast
Newcastle Herald
Tuesday December 2, 2008
Mixed bag of Broadway musicals
PantSeat Productions' Mix Tape: A Broadway Revue took its name from the practice of putting together a recording of favourite songs, originally on a cassette tape but now on a compact disc or iPod.The show is a follow-up to the group's Duets, a two-hander revue in which PantSeat founders Lia Pati and Daniel Kavanagh used Broadway songs to trace the relationship of a couple from courtship to middle age.This time, there is a broader palette and a larger cast, with the pair being joined by Peter Bird, Kate Brown, Nicole McLean, Alicia Paterson, John Radvan, Allison Van Gaal and Patrick Whitbread.The songs in Mix Tape are drawn from shows including Jesus Christ Superstar, The Rocky Horror Show, Evita, Little Shop of Horrors, Fame, Hairspray, Aida, Legally Blonde and The Witches of Eastwick.Pati, who directs, said Mix Tape was a celebration of the vibrant ensemble numbers, touching love songs and biting comedy that make music theatre so entertaining.One of the numbers, for example, is Welcome to the Sixties, from Hairspray. If you have seen the film of the show, you'll know just how energetic and engaging the song is.Mix Tape: A Broadway Revue is at The Playhouse, in Newcastle's Civic Theatre block, on December 12 at 8pm and December 13 at 2pm and 8pm. Tickets: $25, $20 concession. Bookings: Civic Ticketek, 4929 1977.Last burlesque show is a blast STACEY Anderson, who has staged a series of Bombshell Burlesque shows this year, describes them as "a bit of naughty fun for those who know how to behave themselves".Anderson researched the history of burlesque, which combined variety show elements of song and comedy with belly dancers and strippers. While the dances were mild by today's standards and the strippers never fully disrobed, moralists who'd never seen the shows were outraged.A Bombshell Burlesque show at the Gallipoli Legion Club in Beaumont Street, Hamilton, on December 13 at 8.30pm, will be the last and, in Anderson's view, the best.The acts will include vocalist Kira Peru, fan dancer Annabelle Lines, variety stars Miss Bitsy Tricks, Devilish Duncan and Celia, hula hips circus star Violet Morrison and the sultry balance routine of Tim and Lauren. Mad Mat McFarlane is the show's host.Tickets: $30, $20 concession. Bookings: 0447 441 259 or bombshell@internode.on.net
© 2008 Newcastle Herald