It has been announced that actor, comedian and impressionist Gerry Connolly will join the cast of Anything Goes to play the Captain of the S.S. American during the Melbourne and Brisbane seasons.
Due to his increased radio and television commitments, Alan Jones needs to remain located in Sydney so has had to withdraw from the Melbourne and Brisbane seasons, but will join the company to play the Captain during the Sydney Opera House season.
Perhaps best known for his satirical caricatures of public figures such as Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, Margaret Thatcher, Joh Bjelke-Peterson, Bob Hawke, Paul Keating and Dame Joan Sutherland amongst many others, Gerry Connolly has a long list of theatre, film and television credits to his name.
Connolly’s successful career in the theatre has included roles with Melbourne Theatre Company, Sydney Theatre Company and Belvoir, and most recently as Marcus Lycus opposite Geoffrey Rush in John Frost’s production of A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum.
Connolly’s many TV appearances include Fast Forward, Live and Sweaty, Tonight Live with Steve Vizard, Hey Hey Its Saturday and Kath & Kim, as well as his own series The Gerry Connolly Show. He appeared as himself in an episode of the 1998 television series The Games, in which he also impersonated Bob Hawke, and played the former Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke-Peterson in the ABC TV telemovie Joh’s Jury. His feature film credits include The Real Macaw and The Wog Boy.
“We’re very happy that Gerry Connolly is able to come aboard the S.S. American for Anything Goes,” said John Frost and Lyndon Terracini. “Gerry is an extraordinary actor and comedian, and will make a wonderful addition to the cast of Anything Goes.”
Connolly will join the other principal cast previously announced: Caroline O’Connor as evangelist turned nightclub singer Reno Sweeney; Todd McKenney as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh; Alex Rathgeber as young Wall Street broker Billy Crocker; Claire Lyon will be American debutante Hope Harcourt; Carmen Duncan in her musical theatre debut as Evangeline Harcourt; Wayne Scott Kermond will play second-rate gangster Moonface Martin; Debora Krizak is Moonface’s girlfriend Erma; and Bartholomew John plays Wall Street banker Elisha J. Whitney.
The Anything Goes ensemble comprises Aljin Abella, Annie Aitken, Spencer Bignell, Jan Di Peitro, Samantha Leigh Dodemaide, Xander Ellis, Josh Gates, Alex Gibson-Giorgio, Bridget Hancock, Nicholas Kong, Evan Lever, Hayley Martin, Suzie Melloy, Imogen Moore, Glen Oliver, Natasha Paramor, Nathan Pinnell, Jordan Pollard, Ashleigh Rubenach, Mason Schaube, Greta Sherriff, Ashlee Smith and Lyndon Watts.
For decades, Anything Goes has captivated millions with its delightful story of madcap antics aboard the S.S. American. When the ocean liner embarks from New York to London, etiquette and convention get tossed out the portholes as two unlikely pairs set off on the course to find true love… proving that sometimes destiny needs a little help from a crew of singing sailors, an exotic disguise and some good old-fashioned blackmail.
This first-class musical extravaganza will dock in Melbourne in May, Brisbane in July and Sydney in September. For more information, visit: www.anythinggoesmusical.com.au for details.
Image: Gerry Connolly