Lucy Mangion is more than a triple threat–in fact, there isn’t much she can’t do. From contortion to commercial; business owner to balletic dancer; rap music video choreographer to singer, she catapults to the top of the casting list for her ability to master many trades.  Mangion’s dream is to be on Broadway, performing in Chicago with iconic Fosse style. As a Australian-born performer completing her pre-professional Musical Theatre and Dance training in Melbourne, she is now jetsetting to the ‘big apple’ to pave her career in the performing arts and accept a teaching position at the inf ..read more

Don’t sweep this musical under the rug. You’ll be green with envy for missing out.  The Broadway Blockbuster musical WICKED has flown into Oz and is playing at its original Australian home, Melbourne’s Regent Theatre from 2 March 2024. More than 20 years since its premiere on Broadway, WICKED remains one of the most successful and popular musicals in the world, surpassing Cats as the fourth longest running show in Broadway history. It’s been a hot minute since I last saw WICKED in Melbourne–I was a mere 16 years’ old donning my school blazer at a matinee performance on Collins Street, che ..read more

Australian triple threat performer Ashleigh Kiven is one to watch after she completed her musical theatre training at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York City and later gaining professional credits including Disney’s ‘Newsies, the Musical’ .  A New York City dream Venturing to the ‘big apple’ was always on Kiven’s bucket list. When she was awarded a scholarship to train at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York City, one of the most established arts institutions globally, the dream of becoming a professional performer felt within arm’s reach ..read more

Telstra and The Australian Ballet have revealed the five talented dancers selected as nominees for the 2023 Telstra Ballet Dancer Awards. The announcement comes as the partners celebrate the 20th anniversary of these prestigious awards, and toast to one of the longest running arts partnerships in Australia of 39 years. The five dancers nominated for the 2023 Telstra Ballet Dancer Awards include: Adam Elmes Corps de Ballet Dancer, Isobelle Dashwood Soloist, Lilla Harvey Corps de Ballet Dancer, Riley Lapham Coryphée and Katherine Sonnekus&nb ..read more

In a modern take on the classic musical, Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera arrives at the Arts Centre State Theatre in Melbourne. Opening night was a spectacle with the attendance of many notable members from the entertainment and performing arts industry across Australia. Prior to Melbourne, the new production of the hit musical finished its Australian debut at the Sydney Opera House with rave reviews. The Phantom of the Opera musical is based on the 1910 French novel of the same name written by Gaston Leroux and tells the story of the myste ..read more

Experience the phenomenon of one of the most successful musicals of all time, when Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary show comes to Melbourne. Dance Writer exclusively speaks with Jayde Westaby (Madame Giry) and Mietta White (Meg Giry) in the Australian production of Phantom of the Opera, opening at Melbourne’s Art Centre from November 2022. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ JAYDE WESTABY (MADAME GIRY) Jayde Westaby (far left) as Madame Giry. Picture by DANIEL BOUD. As a UK born perfor ..read more

A visceral and thrilling exploration of the juxtaposition of beauty and devastation, Rafael Bonachela‘s Impermanence features a commissioned score full of emotional power from Grammy Award-winning composer Bryce Dessner, performed live on stage by the Australian String Quartet. Presenting a reflective approach as to how easily structures and lives can fall apart, the dancers and creatives minds alike come together to pave the audience a pathway to peace and radiance in the midst of shattering change. The Australian String Quartet accompanies the dancers on stage and it is clear ..read more

‘They can keep us from kissing, but they can’t keep us from singing’  Much loved by many, the whimsical joy of Hairspray The Musical sets Melbourne’s Regent Theatre alight. Light and bubbly energy fills the air as the curtain rises to show the engaging Carmel Rodrigues (Tracy Turnblad) ready to welcome the new day with her powerful version of the iconic Good Morning Baltimore.  Tracy is tucked up in bed… but also not. With the bed and floor tilted 90 degrees, this opening scene provides the perfect overview of the character’s passion. Red carpet strewn with LP’s and 45-inch records ..read more

Dance Writer had an exclusive chat with the choreographer of the Australian tour of Hairspray the Musical, Dominic Shaw. How has the overall experience been re-choreographing Hairspray The Musical with a stellar Australian cast?  It’s been a joy. It’s always such a privilege to get to re-create Jerry Mitchell’s iconic choreography. This wonderful cast have really embraced and risen to the challenge. Hairspray The Musical. Image supplied. Describe your choreographic process with Hairspray. How do you bring your creative vision to life on the stage?  I start by teaching and defining th ..read more

Peta Anderson, a revered Irish-tap dancer and choreographer (and also a new mum), is set to launch the Australian tour of the world-class Irish production, Eireborne, as choreographer, co-producer and performer.  A celebration of all things Irish, Eireborne is a riveting rock production, showcasing an astonishing ensemble cast of Irish dancers rockin’ out to a soundtrack of the biggest hits from Irish sensations including U2, Snow Patrol, Van Morrison, Hozier, The Script, The Cranberries, and more. The amazing cast features former Riverdance lead, Luke Chaumont and eight-time Victorian Ir ..read more