Limelight Theatre's Supermarket Show on Song with Laughs at the Right Price

A COLLISION of comedy and music will leave people laughing in the aisles as Limelight Theatre's latest offering spends 24 hours in a dysfunctional supermarket.

Written and directed by John McPherson and James Marzec, Greenwicks is an original musical comedy exploring three different storylines in an independent grocery store.

The managerial team tries to uncover a thief who has driven store profits into the ground, causing Mr Greenwick himself to arrive and threaten the store's closure.

Meanwhile, the checkout chicks try to get some dignity back, prove they are more than just pretty faces and teach a lesson to their lecherous line manager Kevin.

At the same time, disgruntled grocery boy Jude devises an evil plan to get rid of the lovable and charismatic "supermarket saint" Malachi - who has stolen the heart of Amy, his so-called "deserved love".

The three stories intertwine and collide over the course of one long day, exploring how our work family may not be the one we choose but is the family we grow to love and hate.

McPherson and Marzec formed their own writing team, M&M Productions, and own the theatre company Showroom Theatre, having staged numerous original productions.

Greenwicks was their third original show, first staged in 2009.

"Since then we have written bigger and better productions and, after each show, we always posed the same question: 'What if we re-wrote a previous show with the experience and knowledge of the first run and the years we've had since, perfecting our art?'" McPherson said.

"This is the result of that question - our first revival of one of our productions.

"As musical director and composer, I've completely rewritten and orchestrated the show, which means the music has been scored using a program and some sort of organisation.

"Back in 2008, I was scribbling charts onto paper and working with pub musicians but this time around I have a 12-piece jazz band and actual musicians.

"Greenwicks was good the first time around so this should knock your socks off!"

While studying music education at the University of WA, McPherson acted with the University Dramatic Society from 2005 and put on his first show Fresher: The Musical in 2007.

The first three shows by M&M Productions were staged at Dolphin Theatre before they established Showroom Theatre in 2013 and put on two musicals at the Subiaco Arts Centre.

In 2009, McPherson won best musical director at the annual Finley Awards for the original production Bullet Betty Vareska: The Directive of Six - the show also picked up awards for best choreography and best newcomer.

"With Greenwicks, the challenge is our schedule," he said. "We've only got seven weeks to get the show together and I'm also acting as both musical director and choreographer. But it shouldn't be a problem."

Greenwicks plays at 8pm June 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16 and 17 with a 2pm matinee June 17. Tickets are $21, $18 concession - book at www.limelighttheatre.com.au or on 0499 954 016 between 9am and midday, Monday to Friday.

Limelight Theatre is located on Civic Drive, Wanneroo.

Photo credit: Tania Morrow

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