Theatre crew raring for first production

Otago Daily Times

26-07-2025

There's nothing like a heartfelt musical drama to bond a group of theatre enthusiasts from all over the region, each with their own unique skillsets.
Wānaka's newest theatre group, Onstage Wānaka, is counting down the days till the curtain opens on their first musical, Blood Brothers.
Originally created by Willy Russell, the musical follows the story of fraternal twins Mickey and Eddie, who are separated at birth and raised in juxtaposing environments.
Onstage Wānaka secretary Andrea Beryl said the crew behind the musical were responsible for the experience being enjoyable and successful.
"It needs a very good group of people to get it all happening," she said.
"So we've got a strong committee ... This one's been awesomely organised. Everyone's been amazing."
One of the highlights for Ms Beryl was having a team with a diverse performing background, with some being longtime local performers and others taking to the spotlight for the first time.
One of the group's goals was to expand the town's performing arts by opening the doors to all locals who dared to be a little dramatic.
Cast member Tatum Montecastillo is set to play the lead role as blood brother Mickey, bringing a wealth of experience to the role.
The stage is a familiar setting for the Queenstown-based electrician, who has been performing since childhood.
Born in the Philippines, Montecastillo moved to Dunedin when he was 15 but no matter where he was, performing seemed to be in his blood.
Starting out in pageants, he then went on to form a high school band and take part in theatre.
"I can't do a year without theatre," he said.
". . . it's my happy outlet and I find when I'm on stage, I'm at my best."
When he moved to Queenstown for work, one of his priorities was finding a theatre community.
It did not take long for Montecastillo to find creative work; his last acting endeavour was in the Waiata Theatre Company's production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Now that Onstage Wānaka has hit the ground running, he was thrilled to have another outlet allowing him to express his lifelong passion with a like-minded group.
"I think the main part of that is the community of it all," he said.
"I found, even though I'm not from Wānaka, I can feel the community and camaraderie of having one singular goal to work towards."
Natasha Kay Senior found a similar sense of belonging when she was cast to play one of the main supporting characters, Linda, who marries one of the brothers.
Senior also had a lifelong passion for the stage and had studied acting in the United Kingdom.
After doing some theatre in Auckland, she moved to Wānaka but found opportunities to act were scarce.
Just when she had begun contemplating a move out of town, Onstage Wānaka was formed, and she found an opportunity to get back into acting.
"I was finally desperate and I'm thinking to myself, I might have to move out of Wānaka here because I need to get back on stage," she said.
To make it even better, Senior had a love for the Blood Brothers musical, having seen it several times. She was looking forward to not only acting in it but also being able to share it with the Wānaka community.
"I think people who don't think they like musical theatre or have never seen it, I think it's going to really open up that world for them."
The diverse cast also included members who had never set foot on a stage in this capacity before.
Lindsey Schofield is a valuable part of the musical's ensemble but had never performed before.
She was no stranger to the local arts community, having once been the general manager of the Festival of Arts and supporting her son in his own theatre ambitions throughout school.
"... I've never done it myself and always wanted to and just never had the opportunity because we haven't had a musical theatre group in Wānaka."
There were certainly no regrets in this new adventure for Schofield as she expressed her superb experience and excitement leading up to the opening night.
Tickets are on sale and the musical will run from August 8-16 at Lake Wānaka Centre.