The original production of A Chorus Line was an unprecedented box office and critical hit. It went on to win nine Tony Awards, and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1976. A Chorus Line has gone on to earn a cherished spot in the hearts of theatre enthusiasts globally. Melbourne audiences will experience the pure delight of A Chorus Line when an international cast and company come together to stage a new production at the historic 783-seat National Theatre Melbourne.
“This show has everything – incredibly iconic dance numbers, stunning music and a beautiful, honest story that captures the spirit and tension of a Broadway chorus audition. We explore the inner lives and bittersweet ambitions of highly trained, dedicated dancers, as they put themselves on the line for a role,” says director Tahra Cannon.
A WAAPA Musical Theatre graduate, Tahra is making her musical theatre directorial debut in Theatrical’s A Chorus Line, having captivated audiences as the Musical Director for the company’s 2023 production American Idiot.
Theatrical’s production will showcase an exceptional cast with performers and company members from Japan, Paris and the United States.
Known for his incredible voice, Julian Dods (La Boheme, The Magic Flute) was selected from the National Boys Choir to perform in the iconic 2009 Qantas commercial ‘I Still Call Australia Home’ and went on to perform multiple roles with Opera Australia. In A Chorus Line, Julian will show off his powerful performance skills as Zach, the Director who puts the dancers through their gruelling audition process.
Teresa Giansiracusa (Romeo & Juliet, Mr Burns, In The Heights) feels like she’s landed the perfect role in Diana, resonating with the character on many levels. “She’s an unapologetic performer and I think that’s what draws people towards her. I also relate to the pride she has about her migrant background, wearing it like a badge of honour,” says Teresa.
Making their Australian musical debut is American Oscar Waters IV (Cinderella, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Mamma Mia!). Words Oscar lives by: “At first if you don’t succeed, find someone who knows what they’re doing… and try again.”
Marking his third stage role this year, former electrician and audio engineer turned performer Thomas Boyd (The Little Mermaid, Avenue Q, Legally Blonde, Rock of Ages) will play the role of Gregory Gardner.
Also joining the cast is 21-year-old rising star Lyla Digrazia (Freaky Friday, Xanadu Jr, Grease, The Wizard of Oz), who was nominated for a Music Theatre Guild Award for her role as Ellie Blake in Freaky Friday by Theatrical.
Choreographer Louise Panagiotidis will honour the iconic choreography while updating it for today. “I want to pay homage to the iconic original choreography by Michael Bennet and Bob Avian, while also incorporating an individual approach that suits our unique cast and this 21st century audience.”
Featuring a memorable score by Marvin Hamlisch, with favourite numbers such as What I Did for Love, One and I Hope I Get It, this timeless exploration of strength, resilience and determination is sure to enchant audiences.
CAST
Julian Dods – Zach
Teresa Giansiracusa – Diana
Ollie Bell – Mike Costa
Sherylee Campbell – Kristine Urich (DeLuca)
Lyla Digrazia – Maggie Winslow
Claudia Ciempka – Bebe Benzenheimer
Chloe Terry – Judy Turner
Rena Hattori – Connie Wong
Oscar Waters IV – Richie Walters
Tony Cassar – Larry
Madeline Pratt – Cassie Ferguson
Nathan Fernandez – Paul San Marco
Caitlyn Serong – Val Clark
Jerome Eccleston – Bobby Mills
Manda Rozen-Flannery – Sheila Bryant
Thomas Boyd – Gregory Gardner
Lochlan Erard – Don Kerr
Liam Moroney – Mark Anthony
Scott England – Al DeLuca
ENSEMBLE
Arisa Crump, Bailey Metz-Graham, Cheryl Wee, Imogen White, Madeleine Lacy, Meggyann Davie-Smythe, Sienna Couzens
PRODUCTION TEAM
Director: Tahra Cannon
Musical Director: Gabriel Taburet
Choreographer: Louise Panagiotidis
Assistant Musical Director: Jess McCallum
Production Manager: Marie Landy
Executive Producer: Andrew Gyopar
National Theatre Melbourne
20 Carlisle St, St. Kilda VIC 3182, Australia
T: +61 3 9525 4611 | Book Online
