O'May calls for more one-off performances


Jackie Rees, Kathleen Moore and John O'May will star in The Light In The Piazza.

Theatre mainstay John O'May has called for more one-off performances of musicals that may not be able to sustain full commercial runs in Australia as he prepares to present The Light In The Piazza at the Lyric Theatre in Sydney.

The musical, written by Craig Lucas and Adam Guettel, is based on Elizabeth Spencer’s novella set in Florence and Rome in the summer of 1953, and follows the story of a young American tourist (Clara Johnson) and her love affair with a young Italian man (Fabrizio Naccarelli).

O'May, who is currently appearing in The Phantom Of The Opera, is behind the one-off showing of the tuner on August 17.

"It's something I would like to see The Production Company doing - presenting shows that haven't been seen in Australia," O'May said.

"I certainly think these one-night events for shows like this could work, I'd certainly love to see them."

O'May fell in love with The Light In The Piazza when he saw it in New York in 2005 and instantly wanted to bring it down under.

"Tony Sheldon and Tony Taylor had heard it and send it was magnificent so I went on their recommendation," O'May said.

"I love it when theatre transports me somewhere else and when watching this, I was in Italy in 1953."

Joining Jackie Rees in the principal cast is Kathleen Moore as Clara, DJ Foster as Roy, O'May as Signor Naccarelli, Natasha Hunter as Signora Naccarelli, James Pratt as Fabrizio Naccarelli, Ben Kazlauskas as Giuseppe Naccarelli, Anna-Lee Robertson as Franca Naccarelli, Derek Taylor as the Priest and Sophie Viskich as the Tour Guide. Sarah Bakker, Deborah Caddy, David English and Todd Goddard will also appear in the event.

O'May said there's an excitement surrounding the August 17 showing, even though the rehearsal process has been exhausting.

"The commitment is fantastic, though we have eight shows of Phantom to do and we have been trying to fit in two rehearsals a week but we're in the home stretch now," he said.

The Light In The Piazza plays at the Lyric Theatre on August 17. Bookings: 136 100.