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HELPMANN AWARDS 2006 |
 The Analyst: Best
MusicalAussieTheatre.com Editor Troy Dodds takes a detailed look at the shows nominated for Best Musical at the 2006 Helpmann Awards, which will take place at the Lyric Theatre on July 31... DUSTY  Cast: Tamsin Carroll, Deni Hines, Mitchell Butel, Glenn Butcher, Kaye Tuckerman, Alexis Fishman, Trisha Noble, Rachel Bickerton, Bianca Campbell, Alinta Chidzey, Bobby Fox, Todd Goddard, Simone Kay, Yvette Lee, Liam McIlwain, Tanya Mitford, Monique Montez, John O'Hara, Andrew Perry, Nathan Pinnell, Daniel Scott, Lucinda Shaw, Zoe Trilbsbach, Stephen Wheat, Benton Wilson and Tracey Wilson Stewart. Lowdown: The musical opened in Melbourne in January before moving to Sydney's Lyric Theatre in March. It is currently on a national tour and rumours suggests it may return to Melbourne and Sydney early next year. The show opened to mixed reviews but was a strong box office performer. Its drawcard songs and storyline ensured a strong audience. Why it will win: The musical's box office success puts it in a good position and the performance of its star, Tamsin Carroll, was nothing short of superb. Mitchell Butel, Kaye Tuckerman and Alexis Fishman also put in notable performances. Why it won't win: The show jumped all over the place and never really found its rhythm. The Shirly Temple scene at the start of the second act is perhaps the worse scene I've ever seen in a musical. AussieTheatre.com review, in part (Troy Dodds): One of the major problems is the script – it jumps all over the place and never really explains in any great detail exactly how Dusty Springfield became the pop icon she was. We see snippets of her rise – such as her leaving particular bands – but no real detail of big breaks or how she actually escaped being simple Mary O’Brien to become Dusty Springfield. And when there is detail – it’s all over the place, jumping from one era to another and not really having a point. There’s also some strange choices – such as the inclusion of the ‘young Dusty’ character, played exceptionally well by Alexis Fishman. While the role would have had a rightful place in the production had the concept followed a different line, having the younger version of Dusty essentially follow her alter ego around for much of the show just doesn’t work. It gives the show a very wishy washy feeling. Don’t get me wrong – there’s plenty of highlights in the show, but for a production that was workshopped extensively and worked on for many years, it fails to ignite. Some have claimed Tamsin Carroll is absolutely brilliant in the lead role of Dusty – others have said she’s simply not up to the task. Personally, I thought Carroll was a stand out. Some of her numbers made the hairs on the back of your neck stand to attention and there were moments you really thought you were watching Dusty Springfield live in concert. Carroll has perfected the role – and that’s the way it should be, given the length of time she has worked on the production. Fantasy Odds: $3.20 Final say: Dusty could win on the success of its box office takings and superb individual performances. However, if the Helpmann judges are looking at artistic excellence as the main criteria, this show will fall short. FIDDLER ON THE ROOF  Cast (touring): Topol, Judith Roberts, Louise Kelly, Laura Fitzpatrick, Emily Green, Melissa Russo, Kristyn Bilson, Tim Wright, David Harris, Shaun Rennie, Barry Crocker, Maggie Kirkpatrick, Warren Kermond, Nick Christo, Tony Geappen, Garry Scale, Rod Waterworth, Garry Ginivan, Bart John, Peter McCallum, James Lee, Damien Bermingham, Peta Doodson, Cindy Pritchard, Jennifer White, Elise McCann, Elisha Chin, Catherine Shepherd, Zoe Gertz, David Sommerville, Tom Lambert, Andrew Koblar, Flip Simmons, Adam Grubner, Kuki Tipoki, Ranjeet Starr, Daniel Slater and Natalie Gilhome. Lowdown: The Tim Lawson production opened in Sydney late last year and has since enjoyed Brisbane and Melbourne seasons. It was by no means a smash hit but did receive extensive publicity, particularly around its star, Topol. It closed earlier than expected at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney. Why it will win: The undeniably superb performance of Topol has the potential to get this show over the line. The young cast and the timeless tale also assist. Why it won't win: It's up against quality competition, particularly The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. AussieTheatre.com review, in part (David Woodward): Choreography, although lifted almost directly from the movie, was sharp and the cast made it seem easy, seeing the "bottle dance" impresses no matter how many times you see it. The scenic design left a lot to be desired, with amateur style painted curtains flying across the stage and bouncing back and forth distracting from the momentum and making you question whether you were in fact watching a show in the Capitol Theatre. Whilst this latest addition to Sydney's musical theatre season missed on a few points, it also impressed with welcomed vocal highlights from David Harris (Perchik) in 'Now I have everything' and Tevye's (Topol) anthem to a leaving daughter with 'Little Bird'. Noteworthy and enjoyable performances were also delivered by Emily Green (Chava) and Shaun Rennie (Fyedka) whilst Hugo Chiarella (Mendel) presented a delightful character that remained memorable long after leaving the theatre. The musical high point was the companies deliverance of 'Sabbath Prayer', with its simple but delightful visual presentation and sweet vocals.Topol's Tevye was as expected... strong, well-rehearsed and believable. At 70 years of age, this theatre legend can still hold an audience in the palm of his hands. It adds a little magic and excitement seeing the original Topol in action. The only disappointments from our international visitor came from dialect with some words in musical numbers becoming lost, his tendency to also milk some of his character's jokes also extends the show and made it drag at times... making you really feel the three hours you have to commit to see this show. Fantasy Odds: $28.00 Final say: It won't win. Dusty would be the public's choice, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee would be the industry's choice and Menopause would collect the rest of the votes. It has got very little chance of springing an upset. THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE  Cast: David Campbell, Tyler Coppin, Bert Labonte, Natalie Mendoza, Natalie O'Donnell, Christen O'Leary, Marina Prior, Magda Szubanski and Tim Wright. Lowdown: Melbourne Theatre Company have been congratulated for having the guts to produce a brand new Broadway musical and their gamble has paid off, with the show nominated for 10 Helpmann Awards. The show had an extremely successful season with MTC, and had its initial season extended. Why it will win: A brilliant cast and simply a brilliant show. The freshness of it will also help it get across the line, and its success both artistically and at the box office will be taken into account. Why it won't win: Dusty is this show's biggest rival and the Helpmann judges may just go with it ahead of this show. AussieTheatre.com review, in part (Michael Magnusson): The show gathers momentum as the spelling bee takes second place to the inner turmoil of the contestants and adjudicators alike. The songs become open throated Broadway numbers and fantasy pieces as the nerdy kids are revealed as sad and neurotic young adults on the verge of the horror that is contemporary American life. It is sad and funny stuff; like a teenaged version of A Chorus Line they pour their hearts out. Up till then the unusually subdued David Campbell as the hormonal Chip Tolentino delivers the first showstopper with a hilarious song about his uncontrollable erections. The overachieving, overworked and overstressed Macy Park, gorgeously played by Natalie Mendoza, follows with a zany outburst against her oppressive studyload that ends with an equally hilarious vision of Jesus (the versatile Campbell again). Another production number features a fantasy scene between a contestant and her mother who is far away in an Indian ashram rather than by her daughter’s side. Marina Prior’s performance was unusually subdued up to this point as well but as the fantasy mother she provides the big voiced style that gives the show such a kick as it heads toward its conclusion. Alongside the music theatre stalwarts like Prior and Campbell, the casting is ingenious. Christen O’Leary as the most emotionally disturbed kid in the group really rises to the challenge of playing a teenager with issues as well as a speech impediment. Rather than cast a male actor as was done on Broadway the most ingenious piece of local casting is Magda Szubanski as the overweight and sinus-plagued William Barfee. Her performance as an adolescent boy would have to rank as the most grotesque since Julie Forsyth’s in Kid Stuff. Fantasy Odds: $1.90 Final say: It's the favourite to take out the award, and absolutely should win. Artistically and based on audience reaction, it is the best musical of the past 12 months. MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL  Cast: Caroline Gillmer, Susan-Ann Walker, Donna Lee, Jennifer Vuletic Lowdown: A four-handed musical that was the unexpected success of 2005. It ran for months in Sydney and is now touring the country. This one-act show didn't break any musical theatre milestones, but it had audiences in stitches every night. Its low ticket price helped attract a substantial audience. Why it will win: There's no doubting it had an extremely successful run and the cast was superb. Why it won't win: The category is almost a two-horse race between Dusty and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. It will have a tough time getting above those shows. AussieTheatre.com review, in part (Troy Dodds): "What makes this production enjoyable is the brilliant cast - four spectacular women who are unbelievably talented, and bring a wealth of experience to the show. Caroline Gillmer in particular is simply wonderful, while Susan-Ann Walker is believably crazy and entertaining. Good performances, too, come from Donna Lee and Jennifer Vuletic, the latter appearing - at times - to still be in Mamma Mia mode after long stay in the Australian touring production. But there's no faulting these four superb performers, who hands down are the highlight of the entire show. Yes, the sing-a-long at the end of the show is a little too much. No, the storyline isn't anything of substance. Yes, the songs are fun. No, they aren't original. And no - this certainly isn't a serious look at the realities of menopause. Keep these statements in mind and if it still takes your fancy, then go and see Menopause The Musical - because at the end of the day it's a lot of fun, and a great night out." Fantasy Odds: $7.40 Final say: It is not without hope but I'd say victory in this category is very doubtful. This was a wonderful musical, and indeed entertaining, but it's not the type of show that will win Best Musical, based on previous years. |