Gold Stars – Jersey Boys and Finesse Burlesque

GOLD STARS

We asked local stars to tell us about their talented careers and reveal where it all started and their career highlights.

Something of a coup for The Star Gold Coast with the announcement the sensational hit musical Jersey Boys will hit the stage in the showroom from 6th January 2022. Jersey Boys is the smash-hit musical biography of The Four Seasons - their rise to fame, the tough times, personal clashes and ultimately, the triumph of a group of friends whose music became the soundtrack of a generation. Set in the vibrant 1960’s, four young men from New Jersey - Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Nick Massi and Tommy DeVito - find a magic sound which propels them from singing under streetlamps to selling out stadiums all over the world. With era defining songs like “Sherry”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, “Walk Like A Man”, “December ’63 (Oh What a Night)”, “Rag Doll”, “Working My Way Back To You”, “Dawn (Go Away)” and many more, the quartet finds itself at the top of the charts and seemingly, the world.

The real theme of the show is loyalty; an allegiance to a code of honour forged in the streets of native Belleville, New Jersey and how these four most unlikely of stars made it through gambling debts, mafia threats and heartbreaking family disasters. The show features the phenomenal music, memorable characters, and great storytelling tracing the evolution of four blue-collar kids who became one of the greatest successes in popmusic history. Winner of Best Musical at both the Tony Awards® and Olivier Awards®, Jersey Boys takes you behind the music to discover the secret of a 40-year friendship as the foursome work their way from the streets of New Jersey to the heights of stardom. Executive Producer Robert Clark said he was excited to have such an internationally experienced cast and be playing at The Star Gold Coast. “This story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons has captivated nearly 26 million fans in productions worldwide, and we are looking to wow the audiences of south-east Queensland this summer. The show is filled with classic Four Seasons show stopping songs and a story that is all the more riveting because it’s true,” Clark said.

The cast features the Gold Coast’s Bryn Jenke as Frankie Valli, Thomas Armstrong-Robley as the charismatic Tommy DeVito, Elliot Baker as the quiet bassist Nick Massi and Jack Saunders as hit song writer, Bob Gaudio.

Chief Operating Officer at The Star Gold Coast Jessica Mellor said she was excited to welcome the production to The Star Gold Coast in January. “We’re thrilled to see our Theatre play host to another world class production and we’re looking forward to welcoming guests to our property to experience all The Star has to offer, during an amazing time of year here on the Gold Coast,” Mellor said. www.jerseyboysmusical.com.au

NATHAN HEDGER

6TH - 16TH JANUARY Jersey Boys at The Star Gold Coast

SEQUINS, SIZZLING SENSATIONS, AND LOCAL STARS.

FINESSE BURLESQUE KEEPS FEATHERS A FLIGHT DESPITE HARD TIMES FOR THE ARTS INDUSTRY.

No one could blame our crippled arts sector for feeling anything but negative since Covid-19 ruffled many an artistic feature over a year ago. However, a beacon of dazzling light has emerged from three local entertainers who, with unwavering determination and pure glamorous guts, decided to take a chance for the industry and in doing so have astonishingly created one of the best cabarets to hit our shores. Finesse Burlesque has been created to bring some fun and glamour back into our world. Just as heart-warming as the show itself is the reason behind the conception of the show. The cast of 13 have an impressive credit list including the likes of The Moulin Rouge, Tokyo Disneyland, Universal Studios Singapore, back up dance for Guy Sebastian & Jess Mauboy, Lido de Paris, Palazzo Variete in Germany, and numerous cruise ships. But even more impressive is that they all began their dancing training from a young age right here on the Gold Coast. All cast members were performing overseas when COVID-19 hit and had to return home. As the arts industry suffered, Amber and Madison Ivers were determined to create more jobs in Queensland and keep these amazing performers in work. Finesse Burlesque was conceived!

“We feel honoured to be able to do this during some of the toughest times our industry has ever experienced,” said Amber. “With love, and the realisation of a lifetime dream, we have created this production and hope we can contribute to the re-launch of our industry, an industry we trained our entire lives to be a part of and cherish so much.”To assist in bringing their masterpiece to life they collaborated with Aleisha-Rose, best known by Australian audiences as one half of The Princess and the Geek on the most recent series of The Amazing Race. What most don’t know about Aleisha is that she has spent decades in this industry and is an experienced writer, dancer, and actor. She wrote the entire script of Finesse Burlesque. When Madison and Amber were young girls, AleishaRose was their dance teacher so they knew exactly who to turn to bring this show to life. A new addition in time for the Gold Coast performance is local talent Trent Owers. Trent is an established actor, singer and musical theatre performer who recently starred in Queensland’s production of Wicked as Fiyero. Savannah Haenel, currently starring at The Lido in Paris, established SHE Creative Industries to give a voice to artists during this pandemic. “Our ‘Australian sisters’, Amber and Madison Ivers, have created a show that encompasses the true representation of the showgirl in a cabaret style,” said Savannah. “This show is precisely what Australia needs more of right now. It is truly entertaining, full of passion and created out of pure love for the Arts industry. A must see!”

As we get out of our pyjamas and track pants, it’s time to glam up and appreciate the exceptional talent we have right on our doorstep.