It's all about style, stars and sexy!

It's nearly that time of year again - Melbourne's The Production Company is preparing to present three classic musicals yet again and 2007 promises to be one of its most popular years to date. AussieTheatre.com's JESSICA MASON previews Sweet Charity, Little Me and 42nd Street....

What makes The Production Company so popular? Is it the unique nature of the company itself? How about the fact that they produce classics? The short rehearsal periods? The possibilities are endless but there is very little doubt that in 2007, The Production Company's likely success comes from amazing casts, a tradition it has had since its inception. When names like Sharon Millerchip, Debra Byrne, Matt Hetherington, Mitchell Butel and Lucy Durack are splattered across your season, it's not hard to see why The Production Company is so popular. These names may mean little to much of the general public, but to the theatre-lover, this is a treat of epic proportion.

The minute you walked in the joint........

Sweet Charity opens in the State Theatre at the Arts Centre on July 18. Forty years ago, Nancye Hayes created the role of Sweet Charity for Australian audiences. Now she is returning to direct this new production. Sharon Millerchip plays the title role of Charity, Matt Hetherington is Oscar and Alan Fletcher is Vittorio Vidal. Associate Director is Ross Coleman and the Musical Director of Australian Idol, John Foreman will be conducting all performances.

The Production Company is celebrating the work of Neil Simon, Cy Coleman and Bob Fosse in 2007. They are responsible for two of the Company’s shows this season. Production Company Chairman Jeanne Pratt said: “What a trio of Broadway greats to celebrate. They have given us so many brilliant nights in the theatre and we are honouring them by featuring two of their best shows, Sweet Charity and Little Me in our new season”.

Chock full of scandals, torrid affairs and steamy nights, Little Me is Neil Simon at his wittiest. Debra Byrne is Belle Poitrine, the author looking back on her colourful life and all the men she has lost, loved and occasionally, accidentally murdered. Mitchell Butel will perform all the men in her life. Roger Hodgman, Dana Jolly and Guy Simpson are directing, choreographing and conducting this hilarious comedy.

Then: Come and meet
those dancing feet
on the avenue we’re taking you to
Forty-Second Street

The big song and dance musical, 42nd Street is the final show in the season, opening on October 3. Terence O’Connell, Alana Scanlan and Peter Casey will direct, choreograph and conduct a wonderful cast, which stars Lucy Durack, Nicki Wendt, Adam Murphy and Thern Reynolds.

Orchestra Victoria will be featured in all performances.

"We don’t want ticket prices to be a barrier to our audiences enjoying great entertainment and we are continuing to keep them well below commercial ticket prices," Ms Pratt says of the 2007 season's availability to audiences.

"Subscriptions start at $90 for all three shows and the A Reserve Subscription price is $189.”

Last season, the company achieved record attendances and record box-office with its final show for the season doing sell out business.

Tickets to The Production Company's 2007 shows are now on sale. Bookings: 1300 136 166.