In its 13th year of theatre-making, the Sydney University Musical Theatre Ensemble (MUSE) is taking a trip to Italy for its 2015 Repertory Season, presenting two musical theatre classics that explore what it means to Be Italian at the Seymour Centre from 21 – 31 October 2015.
With music and lyrics by Maury Yeston and a book by Arthur Kopit, Nine follows Guido Contini, an Italian film director who is facing a midlife crisis and a failing marriage. Set in early-1960’s Venice, Nine explores Guido’s growing desperation as he navigates writers block and a web of romantic entanglements, all while trying to finish his latest film.
Inspired by Federico Fellini’s masterpiece film 8 1/2, Nine received Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Score, and has been produced to great acclaim across the globe. Nine’s celebration of love, creativity and what it means to Be Italian resonates across generations and has cemented its place as a landmark piece of musical theatre that rewards all who see it.
Featuring the songs My Husband Makes Movies, Be On Your Own, Folies Bergeres Getting Tall and The Bells of St. Sebastian, Nine is directed by Jonathan Rush, with musical direction by Alexander Norden.
The Light in the Piazza follows Margaret Johnson and her daughter Clara as they travel through Florence in the 1950s. When Clara’s hat is lifted from her head and guided, as if by fate, to Fabrizio Naccarelli, a handsome young Italian man, an immediate and intense romance sparks between the two.
As Margaret wrestles with her over-protective nature, we learn that Clara, child-like and innocent, is not all that she appears. Unable to reconcile Clara’s hopes and dreams with her own, Margaret is forced to reflect on both Clara’s future, and her own hopes and regrets.
Based on Elizabeth Spencer’s novella of the same name, The Light in the Piazza was nominated for 11 Tony Awards, winning 6, including Best Original Score for composer, Adam Guettel. Exploring love, beauty, regret, and above all, hope, The Light in the Piazza will be directed by Josh Davies, with musical direction by Alexander Mau.
Nine will be performed at the Seymour Centre: 21 – 24 October, with The Light in the Piazza from 28 – 31 October. For more information, visit: www.seymourcentre.com for details.
Image: MUSE’s production of Nine