High Society

Hayes Theatre High SocietyWho wants to be a millionaire? A brand new production of High Society will be presented by Hayes Theatre Co for a limited season from 4 September 2015.

The first production produced in-house by Hayes Theatre Co, High Society sees musical theatre star Helen Dallimore step off the stage to direct this new production of the Arthur Kopit’s 1997 musical, which takes the Cole Porter music from the 1956 film of the same name, and the plot of Philip Barry’s 1939 play The Philadelphia Story (which spawned both High Society and the 1940 film starring Katharine Hepburn).

The captivating Tracy Lord invites you to the most exclusive wedding of 1938. There’s 700 guests, oceans of champagne, and a couple of pesky undercover journalists threatening to transform the whole affair from shindig to scandal. Oh, and one thing remains uncertain – who exactly will be the groom?

Adored by a society that worships her looks, money and feminine grace, why does Tracy still feel unvalued? Perhaps she needs to learn that “the occasional tumble off the pedestal is good for a person.” Wayward family members, wise-cracking interlopers and an inconvenient ex-husband all converge to turn Tracy’s wedding preparations into a battle against temptation, dirty tricks, and basic sobriety. What a swell party this is!

Featuring the songs High Society, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, Let’s Misbehave, Just One of Those Things, It’s All Right With Me, Musical Director Daryl Wallis has assembled a superb jazz quartet to bring to life Cole Porter’s music to life, while choreographer Cameron Mitchell provides some hot moves to the exceptional cast led by Amy Lehpamer (The Rocky Horror Show, Once), Bert LaBonté (Rupert, Next To Normal – MTC), Bobby Fox (Blood Brothers, Jersey Boys), and Virginia Gay (TV’s Winners & Losers and All Saints).

“It’s thrilling that Hayes Theatre Co is in a position to produce its first musical,” says Neil Gooding,  Chair of the Hayes Theatre Co board. “We had originally hoped to self-produce some years down the line, and it’s very exciting to make this a reality sooner than anticipated.”

Director: Helen Dallimore  Featuring: Amy Lehpamer, Bert LaBonté, Bobby Fox, Virginia Gay, Scott Irwin, Laurence Coy, Russell Cheek, Jessica Whitfield, Phillip Lowe, Michelle Barr and Delia Hannah  Musical Director: Daryl Wallis  Choreographer: Cameron Mitchell  Set Design: Lauren Peters  Lighting Design: Gavan Swift  Costume Design: Lucetta Stapleton  Sound Designer: Jeremy Silver  Assistant Director: Richard Carroll  Stage Manager: Liam Murray

High Society
Hayes Theatre, 19 Greenknowe Avenue, Potts Point
Season: 4 September – 3 October 2015
Bookings: (02) 8065 7337 or online at: www.hayestheatre.com.au

For more information, visit: www.hayestheatre.com.au for details.

Image: Amy Lehpamer to star in High Society – photo by John McRae