2013 Australian Tour of GREASE Kicks Off Today in Brisbane

Leading Australian theatre producer John Frost has announced that the role of Miss Lynch in the upcoming multi-million dollar production of GREASE will be played by television and theatre veteran VAl Lehman.

Lehman is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Bea Smith in the iconic Australian television series Prisoner, winning the coveted Silver Logie and Best Actress Logie in 1981 and 1982, but she also has an extensive stage career. Her theatre credits include A Streetcar Named Desire, A Lie Of The Mind, Trafford Tanzi, Steaming, Applause, Follies, The Wizard Of Oz, Chicago and most recently Aunt Eller in Oklahoma. Her UK stage credits includeSummer Of The 17th Doll, Lady Chatterley's Lover, Driving Miss Daisy and Steel Magnolias.

"VAl Lehman will be the ideal Miss Lynch for our new production of GREASE," John Frost said. "Wentworth Detention Centre's top dog Bea Smith is now Rydell High School's tough Principal Miss Lynch. We searched the length and breadth of Australia to find the perfect actress to play opposite our stellar cast, and found the wonderful VAl Lehman. GREASE is one of my favourite musicals, and the huge demand for tickets proves it must be everyone's favourite as well. GREASE is still the word!"

This new production of GREASE stars musical theatre favourite Rob Mills as Danny and rising star Gretel Scarlett as Sandy, alongside Bert Newton as veteran disc jockey Vince Fontaine, Todd McKenney as Teen Angel, Anthony Callea as Johnny Casino, Lucy Maunder as Rizzo and Stephen Mahy as Kenickie. The cast also includes Francine Cain (Frenchy), Chris Durling (Doody), Sam Ludeman (Sonny), Duane McGregor (Roger) and Laura Murphy(Jan).

GREASE will open at Brisbane's Lyric Theatre today, August 20, with seasons at the Sydney Lyric Theatre from October 13, and at Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne from January 2, 2014. New seats have just been released for the Brisbane season, and new seats will be on sale for Sydney from June 2.

GREASE is the Number One Party musical, featuring all the unforgettable songs from the hit movie including You're The One That I Want, Grease Is The Word, Summer Nights, Hopelessly Devoted To You, Sandy, Greased Lightnin' and many more.

So get ready to dust off your leather jackets, pull on your bobby-socks and take a trip to a simpler time as "bad boy" Danny and "the girl next door" Sandy fall in love all over again.

For more about the musical, go to: www.greaseistheword.com.au.

VAl Lehman is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Bea Smith in the iconic Australian television series Prisoner, winning the coveted Silver Logie and Best Actress Logie in 1981 and 1982.

Val escaped to make her mark in a number of other television shows, as Mary Facey in the Australian classic A Fortunate Life, Mrs Montalban in ABC's miniseries Outbreak of Love, and notable guest roles in The Strange Calls, Blue Heelers and City Homicide amongst others. Her film credits includeCharlie and Boots, I Live With Me Dad and Kitty And The Bagman.

More than a just a screen celebrity, Val also has a wealth of stage experience including Eunice in A Streetcar Named Desire, Lorraine in A Lie Of The Mind, Mother in A Touch Of Silk (MTC), Fania in In Duty Bound (QTC), Mom in Trafford Tanzi, and for Jally Productions, playing Mrs Meadows as well as directing Steaming. Her UK stage credits include Pearl in Summer Of The 17th Doll, Mrs Boulton in Lady Chatterley's Lover, Beatrix Potter in The Secret of Beatrix Potter, Miss Daisy in Driving Miss Daisy and Ouiser in Steel Magnolias. Her musical theatre roles include Margot Channing in Applause, Carlotta in Follies, The Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz, Momma Morton in Chicago (twice) and most recently Aunt Eller in Oklahoma for Harvest Rain Theatre Company.

TOUR DATES:

Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane

Season: From Tuesday 20 August

Opening Night: Sunday 25 August

Performance Times: Tues-Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Wed 1.30pm, Sat 1.30pm & Sun 3pm

Price: From $64.90*

Bookings: qpac.com.au or phone 136 246

Groups of 12 or more 07 3840 7466

VIP, Premium Tickets & Packages visit SHOWBIZ.COM.AU or 1300 4 SHOWS

Lyric Theatre, Sydney

Season: From Sunday 13 October

Opening Night: Thursday 17 October

Performance Times: Tues-Sat 8.00pm, Matinees Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm & Sun 3pm

Price: From $64.90*

Bookings: Ticketmaster.com.au or phone 1300 795 267

Save with Groups of 12 or more call 02 8240 2290

VIP, Premium Tickets & Packages visit SHOWBIZ.COM.AU or 1300 4 SHOWS

Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne

Season: From Thursday 2 January 2014

Opening Night: Sunday 5 January 2014

Performance Times: Tues-Sat 8.00pm, Matinees Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm & Sun 3pm

Price: From $64.90*

Bookings: ticketek.com.au or 1300 795 012

Save with Groups of 12 or more 1300 364 001

VIP, Premium Tickets & Packages visit SHOWBIZ.COM.AU or 1300 4 SHOWS

* An additional transaction fee and/or a credit/debit payment processing fee may apply

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