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Sydney Morning Herald
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Ten (or more) big shows to book now
The chipper red-haired 11-year-old orphan who, pining for her parents, swaps an orphanage for opulence when Fifth Avenue billionaire Oliver Warbucks plucks her from Depression-Era captivity to life in his mansion ahead of Christmas to improve his image. Expect heartwarming tears, a very cute dog, songs such as Tomorrow and It's The Hard Knock Life, and Anthony Warlow, an Annie -aficionado after previous runs (including on Broadway), as warmly stoic Warbucks, comic chops from Debora Krizak as Miss Hannigan and the original Yellow Wiggle, Greg Page, as President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Capitol Theatre, Sydney, until June 21; Princess Theatre, Melbourne, Jul 8-Sep 28. Anastasia: The Musical Inspired by the legend of Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia, the youngest Romanov princess, and the 1997 animated movie with a score by this musical's co-creators, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, Anastasia follows Anya, a young orphaned woman with amnesia seeking her true identity. Swinging from the dying years of the Russian Empire to the dazzle of 1920s Paris, it swirls between political turmoil, gilded palaces, a handsome ruffian and a ruthless villain, all alongside its resilient heroine. Regent Theatre, Melbourne, from December; Lyric Theatre, Sydney, from April, 2026. MJ The Musical A winner of four Tony Awards, seen by nearly two million people during its Broadway run, and one of the highest-grossing musicals ever created, this biopic is not about the 'King of Pop's' troubled years, or allegations made against him. Set over two days, it explores Jackson's creativity and artistic legacy, his father's influence, his early years singing with The Jackson 5, Motown, and Quincy Jones, and the songs, dance prowess and perfectionism that made him a superstar Lyric Theatre, Sydney, until Aug 23; Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, Sep 9-Nov 2. Carmen Melbourne Theatre Company artistic director Anne-Louise Sarks swaps Blanche DuBois, the complex antiheroine of her 2024 production of Tennessee Williams's A Streetcar Named Desire, for Carmen, the molten femme fatale of Georges Bizet's four-act opera. Sarks' modern retake of the original story, a deadly love triangle between Carmen, gullible soldier Don Jose and dashing toreador Escamillo, redefines perceptions of the title character, amid heart-pulsing music, dance and song. Sydney Opera House, Jul 10-Sep 19, Regent Theatre, Melbourne, Nov 15-25. The Book of Mormon Regularly described as witty, filthy and outrageous, the Tony, Olivier, Grammy and, for its 2015 Australian debut, Helpmann Award-winning musical, is the satirical work of South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and Robert Lopez (Avenue Q, Frozen). Follow the adventures of Elder Cunningham (Nick Cox, Le Fou in Disney's Beauty and the Beast) and Elder Price (Sean Johnston, Hairspray), two naive missionaries sent to a remote Ugandan village, who discover what the power to make change for good is really all about. Capitol Theatre, Sydney, July 15-Nov 30. Back to the Future: The Musical If you get tingles hearing Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) ask Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd), 'Wait a minute, Wait a minute, Doc. Are you telling me you built a time machine out of a DeLorean?' (exactly 23-minutes and one second into the 1985 film Back to the Future) then book this Australian production of the musical adaptation now. Not only does our teenage hero (played by Axel Duffy) utter the line, he says it to Tony Award-winner Roger Bart, who originated the boiler suit-wearing Doc Brown role on Broadway and the West End. There's also 17 new songs, skateboarding in a puffer vest, much 80's-50's plutonium-powered time-travel and that DeLorean. Lyric Theatre, Sydney, Sept 26-Dec 28. The Lion King No word yet on this mega-musical touring beyond Sydney but opening night is ten months away so anything could happen. Director Julie Taymor's 1997 adaptation of Disney's The Lion King won six Tony Awards, including best musical, and has been seen by 120 million people in 25 countries. It's the box office-breaking show's third visit to Australia and who wouldn't feel the love for Simba, Mufasa and Scar's return. Capitol Theatre, Sydney, from April 2026 Beetlejuice Given five stars and hailed 'an offbeat triumph of camp gothic' by our reviewer, the Australian production of Beetlejuice is led by perpetual triple threat Eddie Perfect who wrote the music and lyrics for this Broadway adaptation of the 1988 Tim Burton comedy-horror film. It's welcome praise after its 2019 Broadway debut drew mixed reviews. Perfect plays the title's agent of chaos character to the hilt and film fans will rejoice that the musical retains Burton's desiccated heads, calypso songs from Harry Belafonte and Day-O (The Banana Boat Song) among other irrepressibly nightmarish kinks. Regent Theatre, Melbourne, until August 31 Rent The late American playwright and composer Jonathan Larson's Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, which transplants the Parisian bohemians of Puccini's La Boheme to New York City borough Alphabet City in 1989, was an immediate sensation after its 1996 opening. It also inspired a 17-year-old Lin-Manuel Miranda to write his first musical. Larson never saw the show open – he died from an aortic dissection the night before its premiere – but Rent's earnest and emotional look at life, love and AIDS lives on. Sydney Opera House, Sep 27-Nov 1. Shirley Valentine Middle-aged Liverpudlian 1980s's housewife Shirley Valentine is living her 'little life' – dreary housework, dinner for her unadventurous husband, kids flown the nest, grey days with little spark. She talks to the wall because that's the only thing listening. After a friend invites her on a holiday to the Greek island of Corfu, Shirley rediscovers her adventurous self, sparking questions about her future. Lee Lewis's concise direction draws a smart, funny and affecting solo performance from Natalie Bassingthwaighte in Willy Russell's ever-wise and witty play. Theatre Royal, Oct 22-25
The Age
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Ten (or more) big shows to book now
The chipper red-haired 11-year-old orphan who, pining for her parents, swaps an orphanage for opulence when Fifth Avenue billionaire Oliver Warbucks plucks her from Depression-Era captivity to life in his mansion ahead of Christmas to improve his image. Expect heartwarming tears, a very cute dog, songs such as Tomorrow and It's The Hard Knock Life, and Anthony Warlow, an Annie -aficionado after previous runs (including on Broadway), as warmly stoic Warbucks, comic chops from Debora Krizak as Miss Hannigan and the original Yellow Wiggle, Greg Page, as President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Capitol Theatre, Sydney, until June 21; Princess Theatre, Melbourne, Jul 8-Sep 28. Anastasia: The Musical Inspired by the legend of Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia, the youngest Romanov princess, and the 1997 animated movie with a score by this musical's co-creators, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, Anastasia follows Anya, a young orphaned woman with amnesia seeking her true identity. Swinging from the dying years of the Russian Empire to the dazzle of 1920s Paris, it swirls between political turmoil, gilded palaces, a handsome ruffian and a ruthless villain, all alongside its resilient heroine. Regent Theatre, Melbourne, from December; Lyric Theatre, Sydney, from April, 2026. MJ The Musical A winner of four Tony Awards, seen by nearly two million people during its Broadway run, and one of the highest-grossing musicals ever created, this biopic is not about the 'King of Pop's' troubled years, or allegations made against him. Set over two days, it explores Jackson's creativity and artistic legacy, his father's influence, his early years singing with The Jackson 5, Motown, and Quincy Jones, and the songs, dance prowess and perfectionism that made him a superstar Lyric Theatre, Sydney, until Aug 23; Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, Sep 9-Nov 2. Carmen Melbourne Theatre Company artistic director Anne-Louise Sarks swaps Blanche DuBois, the complex antiheroine of her 2024 production of Tennessee Williams's A Streetcar Named Desire, for Carmen, the molten femme fatale of Georges Bizet's four-act opera. Sarks' modern retake of the original story, a deadly love triangle between Carmen, gullible soldier Don Jose and dashing toreador Escamillo, redefines perceptions of the title character, amid heart-pulsing music, dance and song. Sydney Opera House, Jul 10-Sep 19, Regent Theatre, Melbourne, Nov 15-25. The Book of Mormon Regularly described as witty, filthy and outrageous, the Tony, Olivier, Grammy and, for its 2015 Australian debut, Helpmann Award-winning musical, is the satirical work of South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and Robert Lopez (Avenue Q, Frozen). Follow the adventures of Elder Cunningham (Nick Cox, Le Fou in Disney's Beauty and the Beast) and Elder Price (Sean Johnston, Hairspray), two naive missionaries sent to a remote Ugandan village, who discover what the power to make change for good is really all about. Capitol Theatre, Sydney, July 15-Nov 30. Back to the Future: The Musical If you get tingles hearing Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) ask Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd), 'Wait a minute, Wait a minute, Doc. Are you telling me you built a time machine out of a DeLorean?' (exactly 23-minutes and one second into the 1985 film Back to the Future) then book this Australian production of the musical adaptation now. Not only does our teenage hero (played by Axel Duffy) utter the line, he says it to Tony Award-winner Roger Bart, who originated the boiler suit-wearing Doc Brown role on Broadway and the West End. There's also 17 new songs, skateboarding in a puffer vest, much 80's-50's plutonium-powered time-travel and that DeLorean. Lyric Theatre, Sydney, Sept 26-Dec 28. The Lion King No word yet on this mega-musical touring beyond Sydney but opening night is ten months away so anything could happen. Director Julie Taymor's 1997 adaptation of Disney's The Lion King won six Tony Awards, including best musical, and has been seen by 120 million people in 25 countries. It's the box office-breaking show's third visit to Australia and who wouldn't feel the love for Simba, Mufasa and Scar's return. Capitol Theatre, Sydney, from April 2026 Beetlejuice Given five stars and hailed 'an offbeat triumph of camp gothic' by our reviewer, the Australian production of Beetlejuice is led by perpetual triple threat Eddie Perfect who wrote the music and lyrics for this Broadway adaptation of the 1988 Tim Burton comedy-horror film. It's welcome praise after its 2019 Broadway debut drew mixed reviews. Perfect plays the title's agent of chaos character to the hilt and film fans will rejoice that the musical retains Burton's desiccated heads, calypso songs from Harry Belafonte and Day-O (The Banana Boat Song) among other irrepressibly nightmarish kinks. Regent Theatre, Melbourne, until August 31 Rent The late American playwright and composer Jonathan Larson's Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, which transplants the Parisian bohemians of Puccini's La Boheme to New York City borough Alphabet City in 1989, was an immediate sensation after its 1996 opening. It also inspired a 17-year-old Lin-Manuel Miranda to write his first musical. Larson never saw the show open – he died from an aortic dissection the night before its premiere – but Rent's earnest and emotional look at life, love and AIDS lives on. Sydney Opera House, Sep 27-Nov 1. Shirley Valentine Middle-aged Liverpudlian 1980s's housewife Shirley Valentine is living her 'little life' – dreary housework, dinner for her unadventurous husband, kids flown the nest, grey days with little spark. She talks to the wall because that's the only thing listening. After a friend invites her on a holiday to the Greek island of Corfu, Shirley rediscovers her adventurous self, sparking questions about her future. Lee Lewis's concise direction draws a smart, funny and affecting solo performance from Natalie Bassingthwaighte in Willy Russell's ever-wise and witty play. Theatre Royal, Oct 22-25
Dominion Post
09-05-2025
- General
- Dominion Post
Retaining history: Morgantown walls receive historic designation
MORGANTOWN — A city built in the hills is built on retaining walls. Take a look around. They're everywhere. Earlier this week, Morgantown Mayor Joe Abu-Ghannam announced that three such structures have received a joint historical designation for their association with the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and other New Deal programs implemented in the 1930s as a response to the Great Depression. Deckers Creek Wall The Deckers Creek Wall is an ashlar-stone retaining wall located along the Monongahela River tributary near downtown Morgantown. The wall, built to prevent erosion of land into the creek, is 1,270 feet long and nine-to-10 courses, or block layers, tall depending on the location. According to the application submitted to the U.S. Department of the Interior, there is historical documentation in Morgantown City Council minutes linking the wall to the early Reconstruction Finance Corp. and the Civil Works Administration, as well as the WPA. Council meeting minutes indicate the stone for the wall was initially pulled from the Suncrest Quarry, then the Booth Creek stone quarry, located about three miles south of Morgantown. Minutes show the wall was a topic of council discussion starting in 1933, when construction of a rip rap wall was initiated along Deckers Creek 'in the Hog Back vicinity.' Construction, repair, reinforcement and reconstruction continued until 1943. Eighth Street Stone Retaining Walls The Eighth Street Stone Retaining Walls are located along the west side of the street between University and Grant avenues. According to Morgantown City Council minutes, the walls were built between 1934 and 1937 to retain the terrace upon which homes were constructed. Each section of wall runs approximately 80 feet. They are constructed of sandstone with rectangular raised joints and a top cap. There are three plaques indicating that the walls were constructed in 1934 by workers under the Federal Emergency Relief Administration. The walls are made of rough-faced ashlar stone – meaning cut, dressed and stacked – indicative of the construction style of the New Deal era. Regular progress reports appear in the city council minutes until May 1937. According to the application, 'the walls are a physical example of Depression-Era relief and workmanship. They are an example of federal relief program funding put to use in Morgantown.' Richwood Avenue Wall The Richwood Avenue Wall is a massive sandstone retaining wall on the south side of Richwood Avenue, but it's not visible from the street. Built between 1936 and1937, the wall forms the northern boundary of Whitemoore Park and creates a 'substantial landscape feature' when viewed from the park due to its rough-faced stones and large, regularly-spaced buttresses. The wall is a total length of 1,280 feet and stands between 11-to-15 feet tall in most places depending on terrain. It was constructed in two sections separated by a short peninsula of lawn that provides access down to the 8.6-acre park below. The wall is marked 'WPA 1936,' and described in the designation request as 'one of the best preserved and well documented New Deal Era stone walls compared to other walls in the area.' According to Morgantown City Council meeting minutes from April 17, 1934, the city manager reported that there had been a large slip into Whitemoore Park, which appears to have been the impetus to apply for WPA funding and initiate a large retaining wall project. In 1937, the wall was dedicated in a ceremony that drew 5,000 people and included a mile-long parade according to newspaper reports. The Dominion News reported the event's attendees included Morgantown Mayor Harry Largent, Congressman Jennings Randolph and the regional engineer for the WPA program.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Retaining history: Morgantown walls receive historic designation
May 8—MORGANTOWN — A city built in the hills is built on retaining walls. Take a look around. They're everywhere. Earlier this week, Morgantown Mayor Joe Abu-Ghannam announced that three such structures have received a joint historical designation for their association with the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and other New Deal programs implemented in the 1930s as a response to the Great Depression. Deckers Creek Wall The Deckers Creek Wall is an ashlar-stone retaining wall located along the Monongahela River tributary near downtown Morgantown. The wall, built to prevent erosion of land into the creek, is 1, 270 feet long and nine-to-10 courses, or block layers, tall depending on the location. According to the application submitted to the U.S. Department of the Interior, there is historical documentation in Morgantown City Council minutes linking the wall to the early Reconstruction Finance Corp. and the Civil Works Administration, as well as the WPA. Council meeting minutes indicate the stone for the wall was initially pulled from the Suncrest Quarry, then the Booth Creek stone quarry, located about three miles south of Morgantown. Minutes show the wall was a topic of council discussion starting in 1933, when construction of a rip rap wall was initiated along Deckers Creek "in the Hog Back vicinity." Construction, repair, reinforcement and reconstruction continued until 1943. Eighth Street Stone Retaining Walls The Eighth Street Stone Retaining Walls are located along the west side of the street between University and Grant avenues. According to Morgantown City Council minutes, the walls were built between 1934 and 1937 to retain the terrace upon which homes were constructed. Each section of wall runs approximately 80 feet. They are constructed of sandstone with rectangular raised joints and a top cap. There are three plaques indicating that the walls were constructed in 1934 by workers under the Federal Emergency Relief Administration. The walls are made of rough-faced ashlar stone — meaning cut, dressed and stacked — indicative of the construction style of the New Deal era. Regular progress reports appear in the city council minutes until May 1937. According to the application, "the walls are a physical example of Depression-Era relief and workmanship. They are an example of federal relief program funding put to use in Morgantown." Richwood Avenue Wall The Richwood Avenue Wall is a massive sandstone retaining wall on the south side of Richwood Avenue, but it's not visible from the street. Built between 1936 and1937, the wall forms the northern boundary of Whitemoore Park and creates a "substantial landscape feature " when viewed from the park due to its rough-faced stones and large, regularly-spaced buttresses. The wall is a total length of 1, 280 feet and stands between 11-to-15 feet tall in most places depending on terrain. It was constructed in two sections separated by a short peninsula of lawn that provides access down to the 8.6-acre park below. The wall is marked "WPA 1936, " and described in the designation request as "one of the best preserved and well documented New Deal Era stone walls compared to other walls in the area." According to Morgantown City Council meeting minutes from April 17, 1934, the city manager reported that there had been a large slip into Whitemoore Park, which appears to have been the impetus to apply for WPA funding and initiate a large retaining wall project. In 1937, the wall was dedicated in a ceremony that drew 5, 000 people and included a mile-long parade according to newspaper reports. The Dominion News reported the event's attendees included Morgantown Mayor Harry Largent, Congressman Jennings Randolph and the regional engineer for the WPA program.
