Five of Australia’s most diverse musical theatre talents will appear for one night only in William Finn’s acclaimed work Elegies: A Song Cycle at Melbourne’s Bennetts Lane Jazz Club on Monday 11 August 2014.
Commemorating the lives of people both real and fictional with rousing theatricality and unforgettable songs, Elegies: A Song Cycle is a celebration of life with music written by multi Tony Award winning composer and lyricist William Finn (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Falsettos, Little Miss Sunshine).
From Finn’s friends, to his mother, to his dogs, to the victims of the World Trade Centre collapse, these characters and their stories will enchant and enrich your spirit in this stunning masterwork that celebrates the human experience and life’s infinite joys.
Featuring five of Australia’s outstanding musical theatre performers: Edward Grey, currently performing as Boq in the 10th anniversary tour of Wicked heads up the cast with his fellow Wicked cast-mate, John O’Hara. Joining them from the new production of Les Misérables is Naomi Livingston, along with well-established performers, Martin Croft (Jesus Christ Superstar, Miss Saigon) and Anne Wood (Mamma Mia!, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels). Stephen Wheat (Pippin) will direct, while Vicky Jacobs (Motherhood The Musical) will provide musical direction.
Elegies: A Song Cycle is a heartfelt, often moving celebration of life. In songs about people who have departed this world, Finn writes about what made them all special, and illustrates why, as one of his songs puts it, “life has infinite joys.” An uplifting show, the lyrics have bite and wit, and always emphasize happiness, not mourning.
“This show is deceptively intricate for a song cycle,” says Producer Edward Grey. “We are all playing real people from the composer’s life and it’s an honour to bring those people to life. I fell in love with the piece before I ever went to New York but then once I went there, I saw and heard so much of the piece in that city.”
Originally premiered at the Lincoln Centre in New York City in March 2003, Elegies: A Song Cycle was directed by Graciela Daniele and featured Christian Borle, Betty Buckley, Carolee Carmello, Keith Byron Kirk and Michael Rupert in the cast.
“If you’re looking for a piece of musical theatre that will treat you with respect and earn your admiration from honesty, not effects, then take yourself to see Elegies. Yes, it’s that good.” – Richard Ouzounian, The Star (March 2014).
Elegies: A Song Cycle
Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, 25 Bennetts Lane, Melbourne
Performance: Monday 11 August 2014 – 8.00pm
Bookings: (03) 9663 2856 or online at: www.bennettslane.com
Image: John O’Hara, Naomi Livingston, Edward Grey, Anne Wood, Martin Croft