The Small Poppies – April 2008

By David Holman

Directed by Bev Jackson-Hooper

The Small Poppies is an entertaining drama from Australian writer David Holman featuring adult actors in some twenty roles as the children, parents, and teachers facing the challenge of the first day at school in the mid-1980s Australia.

The story is mainly focused on the troubles of five-year-old Clint, initially eager to be off to school for the first time but then challenged not only by losing his best friend Courtney who moves house, but also, when he gets there, by the class bully, Shane. Meanwhile a Cambodian refugee, Lep comes to Australia following the death of her mother and faces not only the standard challenges of ‘big school’, but language, race, and cultural barriers which prevent her classmates and teacher from understanding her.

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Minefields & Miniskirts – May/June 2008

By Terence O'Connell (adaptation)

Directed by Paul Treasure

Adapted by Terence O'Connell from Siobhan McHugh's book, Minefields & Miniskirts is a collection of stories and memories from the women who were affected by the Vietnam War. Nearly a thousand Australian women played a part in the war and the lives of all these women were changed forever by Vietnam. For many of them it was the most vital and alive they had ever felt. The play features many iconic songs of the period written by female singer/songwriters including Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Carole King, Buffy St. Marie and Melanie Safka.

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Beauty & the Beast – Sept/Oct 2008

Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Tim Rice Book by Linda Woolverton

Directed by Susan Vincent

Belle is a book-loving, inventor's daughter dissatisfied with life in a small provincial French town. The Beast is a prince who because of his selfishness was placed under a spell to remain as a hideous beast unless he can gain redemption. To break the spell, he needs to learn to love another and earn love in return before the last petal from his enchanted rose falls.

One of the longest-running shows in Broadway history, "Beauty and the Beast" was nominated for nine 1994 Tony® Awards including Best Musical. It's a tale as old as time, spun with magical moments and unforgettable characters like Gaston, the arrogant town Romeo; Cogsworth, the pompous clock; Lumiere, the love-struck candelabra, and the kindly teapot, Mrs. Potts. (more…)

bare – Nov/Dec 2008

Book by Jon Hartmere Jr. and Damon Intrabartolo Music by Damon Intrabartolo Lyrics by Jon Hartmere Jr.

Directed by Kristen Twynam-Perkins

"bare, the musical" is a coming of age story of two high school seniors, Peter, a socially awkward loner, and Jason, the golden-boy popular jock. It depicts the reality of adolescence, as the youths struggle to find themselves amidst the pressures within their Catholic boarding school. They deal with their sexuality, their friendships and at the end of the year find themselves thrust into a world with more questions than answers.

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