StageArt Announces 2018 Season Including FALSETTOS, BARE, and NINE

After a stellar 2017 of ground-breaking musical theatre, StageArt announces the shows that will be included in the upcoming 2018 season. All three shows will play at Prahran's Chapel off Chapel, featuring captivating performances that explore modern issues through music and theatre.

"All three productions are character-based shows exploring deep within the psyche of their protagonist and his world. Exploring men at different stages of their lives with vastly different complexities, each show in this season celebrates the women who support them, stand by them and strengthen them as people,' says Robbie Carmellotti, co-Executive Producer of StageArt.

First up is multi award-winning Broadway musical Falsettos, showing from 1 February. It revolves around the life of an intelligent, neurotic gay man named Marvin (Don Winsor - M. Fair Lady, Mamma Mia!), his wife, lover, about-to-be-Bar-Mitzvahed son, their psychiatrist and the lesbians next door. When tragedy strikes and Marvin's lover is diagnosed with AIDS during the 1980's pandemic, all participants must put their differences aside and unite. It's an achingly poignant, yet hilarious look at the infinite possibilities that make up a modern family... and a beautiful reminder that love can tell a million stories.

Bringing the show to life is one of Australia's most exciting directors, Tyran Parke (Big Fish, Ordinary Day). Falsettos was written by William Finn and James Lapine, with Finn also composing the score and lyrics for its Broadway debut in 1992. The show was nominated for seven Tony Awards in 1992, winning Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical. It was then revived in 2016, earning five 2017 Tony Awards nominations, including Best Revival of a Musical.

Showing from 20 March is the Victorian professional premiere of bare, a show that has thrilled and moved audiences around the world through its pulsating rock score and emotionally charged story. The contemporary cult classic pop opera is set at a Catholic boarding school in the early 2000s. The students are struggling with religion, sexuality and identity. As they rehearse for a production of Romeo and Juliet, parallels are drawn between the play's star crossed lovers and students Peter and Jason.

Provocative, raw and unapologetic in its depiction of how its generation navigates the tightrope between adolescence and adulthood; with a unique sung-through pop score and soul-bearing lyrics, bare explores the dangers of baring your soul, and the consequences of continuing to hide. bare will be directed by Dean Drieberg, who recently led the critically acclaimed season of Memphis the Musical, and Caleb Garfinkle is back on board as Musical Director after his successes with Spring Awakening and The Color Purple.

Nine will show from 12 October 2018. It tells the story of Guido Contini, a celebrated film director who at 40 is suffering a mid-life crisis and subsequent writers block while preparing for his highly anticipated next film. He reflects on the women in his life, from his first sexual encounter at age nine to his various lovers, actreses, wife and mother. Nine is based on Federico Fellni's Academy Award winning semi-autobiographical film 8½. The musical opened on Broadway in 1989, winning five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. A film version of the musical was released in 2009, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Judi Dench, Nicole Kidman, Sophia Loren, Penelope Cruz, Kate Hudson, Fergie and Marion Collitard. A highly entertaining exploration of the relationship between genders, asking the question: what are women to men?

Subscriptions to StageArt's 2018 season are on sale now and will be available until 31 December 2017. Premium 'A Reserve' seats will be available for all three shows, with limited availability for access to VIP opening nights. Subscribers will be provided with complimentary programs.

StageArt, led by Katherine Armstrong and Robbie Carmellotti, continues to produce cutting-edge musicals that are rarely seen on Australian stages. The company strives to cast its shows with diversity and equality by showcasing the extraordinary talent that exists locally.

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