IN THE HEIGHTS 2024

Sydney – Friday 28 June, 2024.  The 19-strong cast of irrepressible voices bringing In the Heights to Sydney Opera House this winter has assembled in the rehearsal room, ahead of the season opening on 20 July.

Joining Ryan Gonzalez (they/them) as Usnavi de la Vega, Olivia Vásquez (she/her) as Vanessa, and Richard Valdez (he/him) as Piragua Guy are new cast members Barry Conrad (he/him) as Benny, singer-songwriter Olivia Dacal (she/her) as Nina Rosario, Steve Costi (he/him ) as Sonny, Lena Cruz (she/her) as Abuela Claudia, Janet Dacal (she/her) as Daniela, Tamara Foglia Castañeda (she/her) as Carla, Alexander Palacio (he/him) as Kevin Rosario, Angela Rosero (she/her) as Camilla Rosario and Jervis Livelo (he/him) as Graffiti Pete. The ensemble is completed by Mario Acosta-Cevallos (he/him), Rome Champion (he/him), Mariah Gonzalez (she/her), Jerome Javier (they/them), Tash Marconi (she/her), Malena Searles (she/her) and Kara Sims(she/her).

Lin-Manuel Miranda broke new ground with the original production of In the Heights in its smash-hit Broadway debut season. With a melting-pot of stylistic influences including salsa, soul, hip-hop, street-dance, rap and merengue, the acclaimed musical won Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Original Score. The creative team for this new production from Sydney Opera House Presents in association with Joshua Robson Productions is led by Director Luke Joslin (he/him) and Associate Director Clary Riven (she/her), with choreography by Amy Campbell (she/her) and Associate Choreographer Tash Marconi (she/her). Music Director Victoria Falconer (she/her) will lead a 9-piece live band, with sound design by Dylan Robinson (he/him). As part of the Sydney Opera House Presents industry development initiative, emerging local creative talent will complete the design roles: Set Designer Mason Browne (they/them), Lighting Designer Jasmine Rizk (she/her) and Costume Designer Keerthi Subramanyam (she/her). The development of this bold new cast and creative team has been supported by the work of Casting Director Rhys Velasquez (they/she) and Cultural Consultant Will Centurion (he/him).

Speaking about the company, Sydney Opera House Head of Contemporary Performance Ebony Bott shared “In the Heights is such an intimate yet expressive story of a community, so it’s a joy to see this group come together to showcase the exciting depth of talent in our creative community.  This cast are joining us from across the artistic landscape, pulling in talent from the stage and screen as well as some impressive names from professional dance and music disciplines. I can’t wait to see this blend of vibrant performers in action.”

During the season, the Drama Theatre Bar will serve up a flavoursomeIn the Heights-inspired menu[KG1] , featuring themed cocktails, curated wines and authentic street-style bites to transport audiences to Washington Heights. Those looking to cool off at interval can indulge in colourful shaved ice cones as featured in the infectious musical number 'Piragua'.

LITTLE WOMEN

Joshua Robson Productions in association with Hayes Theatre Co is thrilled to announce the talented cast members who will be joining the much anticipated production of Little Women at Hayes Theatre Co from 12 July. This beloved classic, based on Louisa May Alcott’s timeless novel, is set to captivate audiences with its poignant story and enchanting melodies. Tickets are available from www.hayestheatre.com.au

Leading the cast in the iconic role of Jo March is the dynamic Shannen Alyce Quan. Known for their recent portrayals as Oolie in City of Angels and originating the role of Maria in Metropolis at the Hayes, Quan brings a depth of emotion and charisma to the stage that promises to capture the adventurous spirit of this beloved character.

Joining Quan are several other outstanding performers who will portray the March family and their companions. Kaori Maeda-Judge (The Dismissal, The Hello Girls) will take on the role of Meg March. Molly Bugeja (Mary Poppins, West Side Story) will embody the sweetness and innocence of Beth March while Vitoria Hronopoulos (Laundry Shoot) will portray the vivacious and ambitious Amy March. Emily Cascarino (Mamma Mia, Wicked) will play the role of Marmee March while Tisha Kelemen makes her professional debut in the role of Aunt March. In his first appearance at Hayes Theatre Co, veteran actor Peter Carroll (Into the Woods, Les Misérables) will portray Mr Lawrence, with Tyran Stig (Friends! The Parody Musical) as Professor Bhaer and Cameron Bajraktarevic-Hayward (A Christmas Carol, The Great Comet) as Mr John Brooke. Maddy Betts (City of Angels) and Kurt Russo (Xanadu) complete the cast as Swings.

Director and choreographer is Amy Campbell (A Chorus Line, Once) whose bold creative vision promises to illuminate the enduring themes of family, love and personal growth that resonate throughout Alcott’s work. Music supervisor Laura Tipoki (Hamilton) and music director Gianna Cheung (The Dismissal) will bring the enchanting musical score to life with its melodic beauty and emotional resonance.

 Little Women captures the essence of sisterhood, love, and the pursuit of one’s dreams. In a world where gender equality and the empowerment of young people are ongoing conversations, Little Women serves as a poignant reminder of the strength and resilience of women throughout history. 

The March sisters’ triumphs and tribulations evoke the universal human experiences of love, loss and personal growth. Little Women is a celebration of the human spirit, reminding us that – no matter the era – the power of love, family and the pursuit of one’s passions will always resonate deeply within our hearts.

THE COMPANY

PRODUCTION TEAM

Producer: Joshua Robson

Director/Choreographer: Amy Campbell

Music Supervisor: Laura Tipoki

Music Director: Gianna Cheung

Assistant Director: Miranda Middleton

Assistant Choreographer: Amy Zhang

Production Manager: Sherydan Simson

Stage Manager: Hannah Ribbons

Assistant Stage Manager: Saffron Little & Josie Elliott

Set Designer: Tanwee Shrestha, Mandylights

Lighting Design: Peter Rubie

Lighting Associate: Lyndon Buckley

Costume Designer: Lily Mateljan

Sound Designer: Jarrad Payne

Sound Engineer/Operator: Em-Jay

Casting Director: Rhys Velasquez, Evolution Casting

CITY OF ANGELS

Producer Joshua Robson Productions (Bonnie & Clyde, In the Heights) in association with Hayes Theatre Co are thrilled to announce the cast of the upcoming Sydney premiere of City of Angels which is set to thrill and delight Sydney audiences when it plays at Hayes Theatre Co from 23 June.

Winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical, City of Angels stars Glenn Hill (Matilda), Aaron Tsindos(Merrily We Roll Along), Shannen Alyce Quan (SIX) and Phoebe Panaretos (Strictly Ballroom) in leading roles. The production also features Paul Hanlon (Hairspray), Home & Away star Penny McNamee (WICKED)and Marcus Rivera (Miss Saigon) alongside a wonderful supporting cast including newcomers Madeleine Betts and Ethan Rutledge, Doron Chester (Frozen), social media sensation Chantel Cofie, Sian Crowe (50 Shades! The Musical Parody), Noah Janssen (title of show), Katelin Koprivec (The Deb), Connor Morel(The Wedding Singer) with Jessica White (Catch Me If You Can) as Margaret.

With a liberal touch of femme fatale and hilarious comedy, City of Angels weaves together two plots unfolding at once, the “real” world of New York ‘hack’ novelist, Stine (Glenn Hill), and his fictional alter-ego in the “reel” world, private eye Stone (Aaron Tsindos). Stine is lured to Los Angeles with the promise of turning his crime novel City of Angels into a Hollywood blockbuster, while struggling to balance his relationship with his wife, Gabby (Phoebe Panaretos) and his overbearing producer Buddy Fidler (Paul Hanlon).

Each movie scene that Stine writes comes to life on stage, bringing double the laughter and intrigue for the audience. In the black and white movie plot, Alaura Kingsley (Penny McNamee), wife of a millionaire, enlists the services of Stone to find her missing stepdaughter Mallory (Chantel Cofie). Things get steamy when Detective Stone finds Mallory in the most unlikely of places, his bedroom. Stine’s characters become embroiled in a larger-than-life mystery involving a rich man, his missing daughter and a scheming wife. 

On its Broadway debut, City of Angels won six Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical and was also winner of the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival earlier that year. With a wonderful jazz score by Cy Coleman, sizzling lyrics from David Zippel and book by acclaimed comic screenwriter Larry Gelbart (M*A*S*H, Tootsie), it makes for a witty and glorious celebration of film noir and includes popular songs, You Can Always Count on Me and I’m Nothing Without You.

This new Australian production of City of Angels is directed and choreographed by Sam Hooper

"One of the wittiest books ever written... [and] an effervescent score by Cy Coleman."
- Michael Billington, The Guardian

"One would have to travel back to the 1960's (…) to find a musical as flat-out funny as City of Angels."
- Frank Rich, The New York Times

With wit, humour and a fantastic Cy Coleman score, City of Angels captures the snappy dialogue of a Raymond Chandler novel and the glitzy showmanship of classic Hollywood; the result is a crowd-pleasing musical unlike any other.

THE COMPANY

PRODUCTION TEAM

Producer: Joshua Robson

Director/Choreographer: Sam Hooper

Music Director: Abi McCunn & Damon Wade

Assistant Director: Julia Robertson

Production Manager: Anusha Thomas

Stage Manager: Hannah Ribbons

Assistant Stage Manager: Saffron Little & Hana Barns

Set Designer: Simon Greer

Associate Set Designer: Bella Saltearn

Lighting Design: James Wallis

Costume Designer: Esther Zhong

Sound Designer: David Grigg

Sound Design/Operator: Em-Jay

Casting Director: Rhys Velasquez, Evolution Casting

BAND

Keys: Thomas Odell

Bass: Anson MacDonald

Drums/Percussion: Thomas McCracken

Reeds: Camilla Bellstedt

Trumpet: Lachlan Day

Trombone: Matthew Bell

BONNIE & CLYDE

A NOTE FROM THE PRODUCER

Producing theatre is a risky business.
I invest years and years into building the perfect production, trusting the team I assemble of cast, creatives and crew to collaborate and create something special from the ground up. I invest time and money into securing rights, interviewing and auditioning personnel, and building a marketing plan that I believe will attract an audience. I do all this in the hope that an audience member purchases their ticket, to come, escape and enjoy a production that I built. Producing was already a risky business and it is risk on top of risk when COVID invites itself in.

Bonnie & Clyde conversations started in early 2019 and was set to open in 2020. I pushed it back a year to 2021 and then another year to 2022. Since 2019, I have completely changed creative teams, re-negotiated with designers, continually auditioned the rotating door of performers up until one month before we started rehearsals and upended marketing strategies for completely new ones. The independent producing scene is difficult as budgets are incredibly restricted and these changes cost big money, but I kept postponing because I trusted that this production was going to be extraordinary and I believe that what you are about to watch is exactly that.

It is so exciting that Bonnie & Clyde is finally being seen by Sydney audiences here at Hayes Theatre Co. I am so proud that our industry continued to support each other in a collective resilience through the pandemic which has allowed us to reach a point where the live performance scene is booming once again.

Barack Obama said this in 2015 when asked about the Arts at an education seminar…

”The Arts are what makes life worth living. You’ve got food, you’ve got shelter, yeah. But the things that make you laugh, make you cry, make you connect – make you love are communicated through the Arts. They aren’t extras.”

With love...

Joshua Robson

THE COMPANY

PRODUCTION TEAM

Producer: Joshua Robson

Director/Choreographer: Sam Hooper

Music Director: Zara Stanton

Assistant Director: Julia Robertson

Assistant Music Director: Ned Wright-Smith

Production Manager: Anna Sinclair

Stage Manager: Liz Jameson

Assistant Stage Manager: Alexandra Logiudice & Vanessa Purnama

Set Designer: Simon Greer

Lighting Design: James Wallis

Costume Designer: Claudia Kryszkiewicz

Sound Designer: David Grigg

Sound Design/Operator: Joshua Giuliano

Casting Consultant: Rhys Velasquez, Evolution Casting

Casting Director: Lynne Ruthven

BAND

Guitar: Anson MacDonald & Harry O’Brien

Drums/Percussion: Nick Cranch

Reeds: Rachel Anderson & Camilla Bellstedt

Violin: Ellen Choung & Dominic Lui

Bass: Chris Bouhabib

LIGHTS UP ON THE ARTS | Not Done Yet

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IN THE HEIGHTS: SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

SYNOPSIS

From America’s hottest new musical mastermind, Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, Moana) comes this quadruple Tony Award® winning ‘Best Musical’. 

This summer, it’s lights up on Washington Heights, a close-knit neighbourhood in Manhattan, where the heat is stifling and the A-train is the only way out. 

Trapped running a debt-ridden bodega, Usnavi longs for a simpler life in the Dominican Republic. Alongside him, a community as vibrant as the city itself yearns for change. A winning lottery ticket is sold, but to whom? Is it the family who long to send their daughter to an ivy league school; or the woman desperately trying to find a home?  

Following a sold out, critically acclaimed season at Hayes Theatre Co in 2018, this salsa-fuelled contemporary musical returns to NSW for a strictly limited season this summer. Get ready to be on your feet, as the intoxicating salsa vibes from the live Latino-band will have you dancing all night long.

Photo: Clare Hawley

CAST AND CREW