Who is Nicole Melloy?
An Australian actress, singer, dancer, producer and writer who is currently performing in Cy by Cy by Cy: The Songs of Cy Coleman with Flourish Productions at Bennetts Lane!
What would you do differently to what you do now?
I’m very sure that what I do now is what I’ve always dreamt of doing, but sometimes I have fantasies of moving somewhere peaceful and becoming a novelist, or a yoga instructor, or a pizza chef.
Who inspires you and why?
Roald Dahl for his imagination and boldness as a writer, Meryl Streep for her self- conviction and work ethic, and Bernadette Peters for her sensuality and star power.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I would work harder to protect and conserve animals. They don’t have voices, they can’t ask for help. If I had the means I would adopt hundreds of homeless dogs.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Italy, because it’s so amazingly diverse! From Lake Como, to the Amalfi Coast, down to Sicily there is such a contrast in landscape and culture, and then you have these epic cities like Rome and Florence in the middle that are mind blowingly rich in Art and History. I always feel very full when I have spent time in Italy. Mostly full of pizza.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take then to, and why?
In the morning it would be brunch at Porgie and Mr Jones and then off to the Camberwell markets. In the afternoon it would be a drive out to the Yarra Valley to drink wine and eat cheese. In the evening it would be dinner in the city, maybe Cumulus or San Telmo, followed by a show at 45 Downstairs!
What are you currently reading?
Lena Dunham’s Not that kind of girl and various bridal magazines!
What are you currently listening to?
A fair bit of Cy Coleman HA!! I am also listening to a lot of soul and pop as inspiration for an upcoming gig I have with my acoustic duo Kurby and Cole. I’ve also recently gotten back into Electric Empire’s album Changin. More soul!
Happiness is?
Laughter. The Beach. My nieces. Spending a night with my fiancé in our beautiful home eating pizza from our local.
What does the future hold for you?
I am getting married in April next year!!! AAAAAGH!!! And we are planning a honeymoon that includes Italy (of course) as well as some other glorious places. I have also just finished co-writing my first show about the life story of Bettie Page with completely original music, which I plan to produce and perform in next year… so watch this space!!
Most recently Nicole Melloy appeared as Sarah in the sellout season of Sondheim’s Company (Watch This Productions), and the lead role of Sam in Sexercise the Musical at the new Alex Theatre. Prior to this, she appeared as Alice B. Toklas in Loving Repeating (Vic Theatre Company) and Georgie in Spike Heels (Q44 Theatre Company), which she also co-produced.
Other theatre credits include the title role in Dolores (Q44 Theatre Company), Showboat (TPC) in the role of Ellie May, the international tour of The Rocky Horror Show in the role of Magenta, Legally Blonde (GFO), Die Fledermaus (Opera Australia) in the role of Ginger Rogers, Dame Edna’s Back with a Vengeance (Duet Productions), Monty Python’s Spamalot (Louise Withers and Associates), 42nd Street, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Little Me, Damn Yankees, Anything Goes and The Producers all for TPC, and the Australian premiere season of Jersey Boys (Newtheatricals).
Screen credits include Winners and Losers, the role of Bridget in the Australian film Rue, and Danielle in the short film Winning. Nicole holds a Diploma of Classical Dance, and trains in acting (Strasberg method) at the Q44 studio.
Nicole can be seen in Flourish Productions’ Cy by Cy by Cy: The Songs of Cy Coleman at Melbourne’s Bennetts Lane Jazz Club: 22 – 23 November 2015. For more information, visit: www.flourishproductions.com.au for details.
Image: Nicole Melloy