Willoughby Theatre Co Presents THE BOY FROM OZ

The Concourse in Chatswood is a brand new performing arts centre on Victoria Avenue in the heart of Chatswood shopping precinct opening in September 2011 incorporating a state of the art 1000 seat Concert Hall, a 500 seat Theatre, a Civic Pavilion, Studio and Library.

Willoughby Theatre Company are delighted to announce the inaugural production in the brand new Theatre on the Concourse, and what better show than one of Australia's most popular musicals, THE BOY FROM OZ.

The brand new 500 seat Theatre on the Concourse boasts excellent sightlines and acoustics, two tiered seating (stalls and dress circle), an orchestra pit and fly tower.

Willoughby Theatre Company President, Tom Sweeney is directing THE BOY FROM OZ. With a cast of 50, this production heralds the return of the BIG show reputation that Willoughby was famous for with productions like Titanic, 42nd Street, Beauty and the Beast, Cats and Sweeney Todd.

THE BOY FROM OZ is widely regarded as Australia's most popular musical. It ran for a total of 766 performances over two years from 1998 starring Todd McKenney, and was the first Australian musical to enjoy a sellout season on Broadway with Hugh Jackman in the lead role.

This is the dazzling, funny and touching story of the great Australian entertainer Peter Allen, from his humble beginnings to his meteoric rise to fame as an international star. Singing in country pubs from age 11, Peter Allen survived family tragedy to become a local TV star at age 16. Discovered by Judy Garland, he married her daughter Liza Minnelli and went on to become a beloved performer and an Oscar-winning songwriter. Musical highlights of the show include I Still Call Australia Home, I Honestly Love You, Don't Cry Out Loud, Quiet Please There's A Lady On Stage and the fabulous finale I Go To Rio.

After a marathon audition process in early June the lead cast members are NICK MOORHEAD (Peter Allen), ALED MORRIS (Young Peter Woolnough), JOSEPHINE ISON (Liza Minnelli) SALLY O'DONOGHUE (Judy Garland) and DEIRDRE LEE (Marion Woolnough). Musical Direction is by Mark Pigot and Choreography by Janina Hamerlok.

Nick Moorhead (Peter Allen) first performed with Willoughby Theatre Company back in 1998 in West Side Story. He has since trained at WAAPA and spent a couple of years in London where he performed in The Importance of Being Ernest, Crazy For You and Wizard of Oz.

SEASON DETAILS: THE BOY FROM OZ

VENUE: The Theatre on The Concourse, Cnr Victoria Ave & Anderson St, Chatswood

DATES: 23rd September - October 1, 2011

PERFORMANCE TIMES: 8pm weeknights, 1pm & 6pm Sat, 5pm Sunday.

PRICES: Adults $47.50, Seniors/Students: $43.50, Under 15's $36.50, Groups of 10+ $43.50, Groups of 20+ $37.50

BOOKINGS: Phone 9550 3666 or book online: http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=BOYFROMO11 www.willoughbytheatreco.com.au/bookings.html

WEBSITE: www.willoughbytheatreco.com.au