Civic Theatre Season Booklet 2017

S E A S O N // 1 7

‘ ‘ T H E C I V I C T H E AT R E BRINGS THE BEST PERFORMANCES FROM A RO U N D AU STR A LIA D I R E C T T O WA G G A . T H E T H E AT R E E N T E R TA I N S US, CHALLENGES US, M A K ES U S L AU G H A N D BRINGS THE COMMUNIT Y TO G E T H E R . I E N C O U R AG E YO U TO C O M E A LO N G , TA K E A F R I E N D A N D E N J O Y A N I G H T AT T H E T H E AT R E I N 2 0 1 7. ’ ’ M AYO R O F T H E C I T Y O F WA G G A WA G G A COU NCILLOR G REG CONKE Y

Welcome to the 2017 Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre Season. We start the year with a new logo which is based on the original bricks that line the side of the theatre. As the Civic Theatre evolves we will always celebrate our past and our new logo is one way we are doing that.

In this year’s season we have invited companies from all around Australia to take part. From Queensland we have shake and stir with their new stage adaptation of Dracula and from the Tasmanian Theatre Company we have John Wood in the true story of Bakersfield Mist.

From Victoria, Circus Oz returns with their new show Model Citizens. At the Riverina Playhouse we will stage Hello, Goodbye and Happy Birthday which originated at Malthouse Theatre. Victoria is also the home of Hit Productions whose previous shows include The 39 Steps and Educating Rita, this year they present the comedy about Florence Foster Jenkins, Glorious!

From South Australia we have the James Morrison Academy Jazz Orchestra with band members from James Morrison’s new Jazz Academy in Mt Gambier and we welcome the State Theatre Company of South Australia with the Australian comedy classic, Popular Mechanicals.

Our own state of New South Wales is the home of The Song Company who will perform a special A capella concert in the Wagga Art Gallery, the Sydney Dance Company who return to Wagga after an absence of five years and Bell Shakespeare with Shakespeare’s great play of gender, politics and money; The Merchant of Venice.

The final show of the year is the community production of the Broadway smash hit, Wicked.

2017 will also include our children’s season, Silver Circle, Music at Midday, Twilight by the Lagoon, Hall-a-Day Adventures and the Wagga Comedy Fest.

It is going to a huge year for the theatre. We hope you can join us.

Carissa Campbell Manager, Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre

BENEFITS OF SUBSCRIBING B O O K N O W PAY L AT E R

SECURE THE BEST S E AT S

Secure your seats and receive your tickets without spending a dollar! By choosing to defer your payments, you can take your tickets with you when we process your subscription and then two days before each performance we will debit your credit card for the amount applicable for that performance, plus a small processing fee of $2 per ticket.

Want the best seats in the house? Theatre subscribers have access to a priority booking period, so you can lock in your seats before they become available to the general public!

Relax in knowing that you already have your tickets when one of our season shows sells out.

50/50 S P LIT

E M A I L U P D AT E S

Another payment option in 2017 is to pay half the total cost of your tickets at the time of booking and the remaining half in the first week of May. This only incurs a small $5 processing fee added to the May payment.

Receive regular email updates and never miss out on a show again! Be informed when a new show goes on sale, have access to subscriber pre sales and be the first to hear about any special offers or promotions that coincide with our shows! You’ll also receive a reminder email to any season shows you have tickets to.

POST SHOW SUPPER

EXCHANG E

Catch up with friends with a drink before the show and enjoy post-show supper on opening nights. Share the experience of the theatre with family and friends over delicious antipasto, meet and greet the cast and crew and ignite conversation and debate.

Fill your diary at the start of the year with theatre dates, knowing that if something comes up, you can exchange your tickets for a different night, or completely different subscription show up to two business days before the performance.

DISCOUNTS By subscribing to at least four shows in the season, you’ll get your tickets at a discounted rate. Pay the subscriber rate if you would like to see extra season shows throughout the year. Discounts are also available on other selected shows during the year.

THE SONG COMPANY PRESENTS

THE ARROW OF SONG The Arrow of Song will capture the fascinating history of unaccompanied vocal music in a unique and entertaining way.

You’ll enjoy a concert that covers early chant to contemporary a cappella.

Vocalisation is all about the sound and the story. The Song Company is Australia’s leading vocal ensemble, singing music of all times and places. Since the beginning of history, the human voice and the act of singing have been intrinsically linked with

This was a concert of rare and transcendent beauty.

PETE R MCCALLU M , SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

storytelling and the acquisition of culture.

The Song Company’s repertoire covers vocal music from the 10th century to contemporary works, and is unique in its stylistic diversity.

The wide-ranging and accessible program includes music by Hildegard of Bingen, Thomas Tallis, Claudio Monteverdi, J.S. Bach, John Cage, Gospel, and Pop, plus much more besides.

F R I DAY 1 0 F E B R UA RY 7. 3 0 P M WAG G A WAG G A A R T G A L L E RY

TI C K E T P R I C E Artistic Director Antony Pitts Soprano Susannah Lawergren Soprano Anna Fraser Baritone Mark Donnelly Tenor Richard Black Bass Andrew O’Connor

Adult $40.00 Concession $35.00 Group 4+ $35.00 Youth U25 $30.00 Child U15 $15.00 Adult Subscriber $35.00 Concession Subscriber $30.00 Youth U25 Subscriber $25.00

Photo: Dylan Evans

SHAKE & STIR THEATRE CO AND QPAC PRESENT

DRACULA

T H U R S DAY 4 M AY 7. 3 0 P M F R I DAY 5 M AY 1 1 . 0 0A M

BY BRAM STOKER CREATED AND ADAPTED BY SHAKE & STIR THEATRE CO ARTSHUB

Another bloody classic.

The Gothic horror story swoops the country in a gripping, critically-acclaimed production created by shake & stir.

When young lawyer Jonathan Harker visits Castle Dracula deep within the Carpathian mountains, he's not expecting the strange hospitality he receives from his mysterious host. Alone and trapped within the castle walls, Jonathan discovers that Dracula wants more than his presence at the dinner table - he might also be the main course.

Leaving Jonathan for dead and his castle behind, Dracula travels to London on a quest for seduction, true love and above all - blood.

From the company behind the multi-award winning, national touring productions of 1984 and Animal Farm comes this new adaptation of Stoker's twisted tale.

shake & stir's DRACULA is a thrilling adventure that drags you in to its dark world and doesn't let go until the final bolt of lightning strikes.

A U S T R A L I A N S TA G E

TI C K E T P R I C E Adult $50.00 Concession $45.00 Group 4+ $45.00 Youth U25 $35.00 Adult Subscriber $45.00 Adaptors Nelle Lee & Nick Skubij Director Michael Futcher

Concession Subscriber $40.00 Youth U25 Subscriber $30.00

Set Designer Josh McIntosh Costume Designer Leigh Buchanan Lighting Designer Jason Glenwright Sound Designer / Composer Guy Webster Fight Director / Movement Coach Nigel Poulton

AG E R E CO M M E N D E D Suitable for ages 15+ (Year 10 and up) Includes simulated violence, sexual and supernatural themes, haze and strobe lighting

R U N N I N G TI M E This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body. Tour supported by arTour an initiative of the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, part of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet.

1 hr 40 mins (no interval)

Photo: Rob Blackburn

CIRCUS OZ MODEL CITIZENS

Circus Oz explodes back onto stage, audaciously unpacking the myths of modern Australia with our latest high octane circus show Model Citizens, the first creation fuelled by the new Artistic Director Rob Tannion.

Set in a beautiful yet chaotic model kit world, Model Citizens seamlessly blends the risk, beauty and rawness of acrobatic circus with pumping live music, stunning lighting, breathtaking physical improbability and no shortage of absurdity.

F R I DAY 2 J U N E 7. 3 0 P M SAT U R DAY 3 J U N E 1.30PM

...that rarest of beasts: a performance that everybody can enjoy BRISBANE TIMES

Breaking conventions of scale, oversized everyday objects become an intriguing world of possibilities for our all-human ensemble - as these enlarged set pieces offer new life as exciting and unexpected circus equipment.

Imagine hand standing on the top of an upright giant peg or juggling whilst balanced on an oversized stack of weighing scales…

Audiences will be taken on a visually and emotionally charged journey by the multitalented Circus Oz ensemble, exploring what it really means to be a model citizen in our ‘lucky’ country today.

TI C K E T P R I C E Adult $55.00 Concession $50.00 Group 4+ $50.00 Youth U25 $40.00 Child U15 $20.00 Family (2 adults/2 children) $120 Adult Subscriber $50.00 Artistic Director Rob Tannion Senior Circus Artist and Founding Member Tim Coldwell

Concession Subscriber $45.00 Youth U25 Subscriber $35.00

Costume Designer and Founding Member Laurel Frank Prop Designer Michael Baxter Senior Artistic Associate Antonella Casella

AG E R E CO M M E N D E D Suitable for audiences of all ages May contain strobe lighting and some coarse language

R U N N I N G TI M E 2 hrs (including interval)

Photo: Pat Redmond

Photo: Pedro Greig

SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY

SAT U R DAY 8 J U LY 7. 3 0 P M

FRAME OF MIND Sydney Dance Company’s Frame of Mind is a wildly powerful double bill featuring the smash hit Wildebeest by Australia’s own Gabrielle Nankivell and the multi awardwinning Frame of Mind from Rafael Bonachela.

Bonachela’s Frame of Mind features a dramatic contemporary-classical soundtrack by Bryce Dessner (from American hit rock band The National), recorded

by San Francisco’s virtuosic Kronos Quartet. Winner of all four categories for the 2015 Helpmann Awards including ‘Best Choreography’, ‘Best Dance Work’, ‘Best Male Dancer’, and ‘Best Female Dancer’ for its critically acclaimed premiere season.

Having premiered as part of Sydney Dance Company’s inaugural New Breed season, choreographic prodigy Gabrielle Nankivell’s eloquent Wildebeest showcases the power of dancers as individuals and strength en masse.

Moody and animalistic, it’s backed by a stormy and industrial score by Luke Smiles.

… danced crisply and flawlessly… it is passionate yet highly precise, demanding and often breathstealing.

TH E G UAR DIAN

FRAME OF MIND Choreographer Rafael Bonachela Designer Ralph Myers Costume Design Realisation Aleisa Jelbart Lighting Designer Benjamin Cisterne Music Original compositions by Bryce Dessner in a recording by the Kronos Quartet Dramaturgical Consultant Samuel Webster

WILDEBEEST Choreographer Gabrielle Nankivell Costume Designer Fiona Holley Sound Designer & Composer Luke Smiles, motion laboratories

TI C K E T P R I C E Adult $55.00 Concession $50.00 Group 4+ $50.00 Youth U25 $40.00 Child U15 $15.00 Adult Subscriber $50.00 Concession Subscriber $45.00 Youth U25 Subscriber $35.00

Lighting Designer Benjamin Cisterne

R U N N I N G TI M E 1 hr 15 mins (including interval) Please note duration is subject to change

Photo: Sarah Walker

HELLO, GOODBYE & HAPPY BIRTHDAY

BY ROSLYN OADES & COLLABORATORS TOURED BY PERFORMING LINES

Roslyn Oades went to an 18th and an 80th birthday party in close succession. Her Malthouse Theatre and Melbourne Festival hit Hello, Goodbye & Happy Birthday celebrates these two milestone birthdays; major transition points in adult life.

One represents untold potential and opportunity; the other a lifetime of experiences, aspirations, fears and memories.

Scripted from intimate real-life conversations with people either side of these milestones, Hello, Goodbye & Happy Birthday is a beautifully warm and human new show from Roslyn Oades & Collaborators.

Playful and affecting in equal measure, this show sees Oades continue her ground-breaking ‘headphone verbatim’ documentary theatre technique, to create extraordinarily immediate and vivid performances.

T H U R S DAY 2 0 J U LY 7. 3 0 P M RIVERINA P L AY H O U S E

One of the most charming shows of the year. Hello, Goodbye, Happy Birthday is a truly celebratory glimpse of the vitality and resistance of two groups of people often marginalised or portrayed in ageist stereotypes.

ABC ARTS

Cast Matthew Connell, Jim Daly, Evelyn Krape, HaiHa Le & Roger Oakley Direction/Audio-script Roslyn Oades Movement Director Nat Cursio Sound Design Bob Scott & Russell Goldsmith Lighting Design Paul Jackson Set/Costume Design Christina Hayes A Performing Lines tour for Road Work

TI C K E T P R I C E Adult $40.00 Concession $35.00 Group 4+ $35.00 Youth U25 $30.00 Child U15 $15.00 Adult Subscriber $35.00 Concession Subscriber $30.00 Youth U25 Subscriber $25.00

AG E R E CO M M E N D E D Recommended for ages 14+ Contains coarse language

A Performing Lines tour for Road Work. This tour was supported by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body; and the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria. Originally produced by Malthouse Theatre & Melbourne Festival.

R U N N I N G TI M E 65 minutes (no interval)

THÉRÈSE RAQUIN ADAPTED FROM THE EMILE ZOLA NOVEL BY GARY ABRAHAMS A DIRTY PRETTY THEATRE & CRITICAL STAGES PRODUCTION

Thérèse Raquin is a superb examination of corrupted morals, set in the notoriously dingy backstreets of Paris in the late 19th century. Thérèse lives a life of servitude and is married off to her sickly cousin in a loveless, arranged marriage. But her life is suddenly turned around when her husband’s friend, Laurent, arrives and they begin a passionate, feverish affair. What follows in

Beautifully paced and engaging theatre...an imaginative and immersive adaptation, directed with skill and style.

TH E AG E

this masterpiece of French literature makes for a gripping, corseted thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Dirty Pretty Theatre is one of Melbourne’s most exciting independent companies. This stunning, critically acclaimed, production was nominated for six 2014 Green Room Awards in all categories of design, direction and performance. Director Gary Abrahams (whose recent work includes Buyer and Cellar for Melbourne Theatre Company and Resident Alien with actor Paul Capsis) has crafted an original and uniquely Australian adaptation of a renowned classic work of French literature, bringing to the production a heightened sense of melodrama and a raw and immediate passion. Thérèse Raquin is a genuinely affecting, thrilling, emotional rollercoaster.

Photo: Lachlan Woods - Original cast pictured.

W E D N E S DAY 2 6 J U LY 7. 3 0 P M T H U R S DAY 27 J U LY 11AM

TI C K E T P R I C E Adult $55.00 Concession $50.00 Group 4+ $50.00 Youth U25 $40.00 Adult Subscriber $50.00 Director Gary Abrahams Set Designer Jacob Battista Costume Designer Chloe Greaves

Concession Subscriber $45.00 Youth U25 Subscriber $35.00 Matinee show all tickets $25.00

Lighting Designer Katie Sfetkidis Original Music Christopher De Groot Cast includes Marta Kaczmarek

AG E R E CO M M E N D E D Suitable for audiences aged 16+.

Occasional coarse language and mature themes

R U N N I N G TI M E 2 hrs 15 mins (including interval)

Photo: Gina Milicia

BAKERSFIELD MIST

T U E S DAY 8 AU G U S T 7. 3 0 P M

BY STEPHEN SACHS PRESENTED BY THE TASMANIAN THEATRE COMPANY AND STRAIGHTJACKET PRODUCTIONS IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE KARRALYKA CENTRE

Is the true value of art in the eyes of the beholder? Maude (Julie Nihill), an unemployed bartender, has bought a painting for a few bucks from an op shop.

Despite almost trashing it, she now thinks it’s a Jackson Pollock worth millions. In fact she’s certain it is. But when world-class art expert, Lionel Percy (John Wood), flies over from New York and arrives at her trailer park home in Bakersfield to authenticate the painting, he really has no idea what he’s about to discover.

A thoroughly entertaining 85 minutes of quipping arguing, boozing, opining, fistfighting and soul-baring.

THE TIMES

Based on a true story, Bakersfield Mist is a comedy set in the present day.

TI C K E T P R I C E Adult $50.00 Concession $45.00 Group 4+ $45.00 Youth U25 $35.00 Cast John Wood and Julie Nihill Playwright Stephen Sachs Director Lucy Freeman

Child U15 $15.00 Adult Subscriber $45.00 Concession Subscriber $40.00 Youth U25 Subscriber $30.00

Set Designer Jill Munro Lighting Designer Scott Allan Sound Designer Heath Brown

AG E R E CO M M E N D E D Recommended for ages 14+ Contains coarse language

R U N N I N G TI M E 105 minutes (including interval)

JAMES MORRISON ACADEMY JAZZ ORCHESTRA The James Morrison Academy Jazz Orchestra (JMAJO) is the premier performing ensemble of the internationally acclaimed James Morrison Academy program. James Morrison himself directs the Jazz Orchestra ably assisted

by Director of Studies and Australian Jazz Hall of Fame inductee Graeme Lyall and Grammy Award winning Senior Teaching Fellow Jeff Clayton.

The JMAJO, a 20 piece jazz big band, is noted for exceptional individual musicianship and tight ensemble performance. JMAJO Concerts feature standards made famous by international jazz greats, original compositions and arrangements by Australian artists and the wealth of new work written by current and former JMA students.

S U N DAY 10 SEPTEMBER 7. 3 0 P M

In essence, this is a school not where one learns about music – but where one learns to make music.

JAM ES MORRISON

Although only founded in 2015, the JMAJO tours Australia every year visiting major venues in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Adelaide. Outreach is a large part of the JMAJO touring schedule and the group enjoys workshopping and performing with primary and secondary schools all around Australia. To date, the JMAJO has performed alongside Grammy Award Winner Wycliffe Gordon, Grammy Award Nominees The One O’Clock Lab Band, Aria Award Winner Kate Ceberano, and Australian Jazz Award Winner Olivia Chindamo.

In 2016, the JMAJO performed in Melbourne’s Hamer Hall for a live ABC Classics and Jazz recording alongside acclaimed Australian vocalists Sarah McKenzie and Anthony Callea.

TI C K E T P R I C E Adult $70.00 Adult Subscriber $60.00 Child U15 $40.00

GLORIOUS!

SAT U R DAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2 P M + 7. 3 0 P M

BY PETER QUILTER

Glorious! tells the hilarious true story of the world’s worst opera singer Florence Foster Jenkins. This West End and world-wide hit was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award - Best New Comedy (2005) and has been seen by two million plus people across six continents.

Starring Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant, the movie Florence Foster Jenkins inspired by the play was released to acclaim in 2016. In the 1940s the singer everyone wanted to see perform live in New York was the enthusiastic soprano Florence Foster Jenkins - ' the first lady of the sliding scale'. Surrounding herself by devoted friends, almost as eccentric as she, this deliciously happy and delusional woman paid scant attention to her critics and would screech and warble to her audiences, most falling about with laughter.

A delightful and blissfully funny play that generates a rare glow of warmth and generous laughter.

D A I LY T E L E G R A P H

This heart-warming comedy moves from Florence's charity recitals and lavish balls, through to her very odd recording sessions and her ultimate performance triumph at New York’s Carnegie Hall, incorporating her wonderfully colourful relationships along the way.

Diana McLean as Florence (best known for The Young Doctors, Number 96 and All Saints) and Lyall Brooks as Cosme head the cast of three.

TI C K E T P R I C E Adult $40.00 Concession $35.00 Group 4+ $35.00 Youth U25 $30.00 Cast Diana McLean and Lyall Brooks Director Denny Lawrence

Child U15 $15.00 Adult Subscriber $35.00 Concession Subscriber $30.00 Youth U25 Subscriber $25.00

R U N N I N G TI M E 1hr 50mins (including interval)

Photo: Pierre Toussaint

BELL SHAKESPEARE’S

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE “All that glisters is not gold; Often have you heard that told.” Act 2 Scene 7 Money makes the world go around. Portia has it. Bassanio wants it. Shylock lends it. Antonio owes the value of it.

Love also plays a part. Portia offers it. Bassanio wants it.

And Antonio may lose a pound of flesh for it.

This uncompromising and dark production explores the tense relationship and prejudices between those that have, and those that don’t. Dark in its humour and bawdy in its romantic hijinks, The Merchant Of Venice takes audiences on a journey of love, mercy and justice.

Featuring three time Helpmann Award winner, Mitchell Butel (Janet King and Rake) as the defiant Shylock, and Jessica Tovey (Wolf Creek and Wonderland) as Portia, the production will be directed by Anne-Louise Sarks (Belvoir’s Jasper Jones and Medea), this masterfully envisioned production tackles the prejudices and preconceived notions of one of Shakespeare’s most challenging plays.

T U E S DAY 1 0 O C TO B E R 7. 3 0 P M

Bell Shakespeare’s latest offering is sure to be the crowd pleaser that audiences have come to expect from the trail blazing theatre company.

ARTS HUB

TI C K E T P R I C E

By William Shakespeare

Cast

Director Anne-Louise Sarks

Fayssal Bazzi

Set & Costume Designer Michael Hankin

Mitchell Butel

Lighting Designer Paul Jackson

Catherine Davies

Group 4+ $50.00

Composer & Sound Designer Max Lyandvert

Eugene Gilfedder

Youth U25 $40.00

Voice Coach Jess Chambers

Shiv Palekar

Dramaturg Benedict Hardie

Damien Strouthos Jessica Tovey Jo Turner

Adult $55.00 Concession $50.00

Child U15 $15.00 Adult Subscriber $50.00 Concession Subscriber $45.00 Youth U25 Subscriber $35.00

Jacob Warner

AG E R E CO M M E N D E D Suitable for audiences aged 13+

R U N N I N G TI M E This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.

Bell Shakespeare is supported by the NSW Government through Arts NSW.

2hrs 35mins (including interval)

Photo: Shane Reid

A STATE THEATRE COMPANY SOUTH AUSTRALIA PRODUCTION

THE POPULAR MECHANICALS

BY KEITH ROBINSON, WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE AND TONY TAYLOR ORIGINAL DIRECTION BY GEOFFREY RUSH

A funny thing happened to me on the way to the theatre this evening.

Shakespeare’s greatest clowns—the rude mechanicals from A Midsummer Night’s Dream— take centre stage in this wild reimagining of what might have happened off-stage during the Bard’s most loved comedy.

T U E S DAY 2 4 O C TO B E R 7. 3 0 P M

Monty Python eat your heart out; what a hoot this show is... I give it 5 rubber chooks out of 5.

S TA G E W H I S P E R S

Perhaps the most famous group of amateur thespians of all time, the cast of the play-within-a-play Pyramus and Thisbe, bumble their way through rehearsals, misadventures and sheer idiocy in an hysterically funny mix of verse, song and dance.

Using snippets of the existing text of A Midsummer Night’s Dream along with a gloriously cod version of Shakespearean English, the play exalts in its own roughness, extravagance of expression and frequent obscenity—in the nicest possible way.

Clowning, vaudeville, slapstick, farce, stand-up comedy and bad puppetry come together with both witty badinage and fart jokes to create an anarchic and thrillingly unhinged carnival that revels in its own theatricality.

First directed by Geoffrey Rush in 1987, The Popular Mechanicals holds a special place in the Australian comedic canon and is ripe for revival with a cast of our best theatrical clowns and directed by former Sydney Theatre Company Resident Director, Sarah Giles. A perfect romp that promises to lift the roof in the silliest ways imaginable.

TI C K E T P R I C E Adult $50.00 Concession $45.00 Group 4+ $45.00 Youth U25 $35.00 Child U15 $15.00 Adult Subscriber $45.00

Director Sarah Giles

Cast

Designer Jonathon Oxlade

Charles Mayer Rory Walker Lori Bell Julie Forsyth Tim Overton

Lighting Designer Mark Pennington Composer/Sound Designer/ Musical Director David Heinrich Choreographer Gabrielle Nankivell

Concession Subscriber $40.00 Youth U25 Subscriber $30.00

AG E R E CO M M E N D E D Suitable for audiences aged 12+

R U N N I N G TI M E 90mins (no interval)

SAT U R DAY 4

A WAGGA WAGGA CIVIC THEATRE COMMUNITY PRODUCTION OF

WICKED

N OV E M B E R 7. 3 0 P M S U N DAY 5 N OV E M B E R 5PM

MUSIC AND LYRICS BY

BOOK BY

STEPHEN SCHWARTZ WINNIE HOLZMAN BASED ON THE NOVEL BY GREGORY MAGUIRE ORCHESTRATIONS BY WILLIAM DAVID BROHN MUSIC ARRANGEMENTS ALEX LACAMOIRE & STEPHEN OREMUS LICENSED EXCLUSIVELY BY MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL (AUSTRALASIA).

ALL PERFORMANCE MATERIALS SUPPLIED BY HAL LEONARD AUSTRALIA.

T H U R S DAY 9 N OV E M B E R 7. 3 0 P M F R I DAY 1 0 N OV E M B E R 7. 3 0 P M SAT U R DAY 1 1 N OV E M B E R 7. 3 0 P M

Wicked, the Broadway sensation, looks at what happened in the Land of Oz before Dorothy arrived. At sorcery school, a misunderstood young girl, Elphaba, with emerald green skin and an exceptional talent meets a bubbly and popular blonde, Galinda. After their initial rivalry they form the unlikeliest of friendships which is soon threatened when the world decides to call one “good” and the other one “wicked”…

With a thrilling score that includes the hits Defying Gravity, Popular and For Good, Wicked tells the untold story of Galinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West A word from Wicked Director, Peter Cox: "I have always been a great fan of the original Wizard of Oz story and especially the MGM film. In fact Mark Grentell and I wrote an Aussie kids version only last year entitled The Lizard of Oz.

S U N DAY 1 2 N OV E M B E R 5PM W E D N E S DAY 1 5 N OV E M B E R 11AM T H U R S DAY 1 6 N OV E M B E R 7. 3 0 P M F R I DAY 17 N OV E M B E R 7. 3 0 P M SAT U R DAY 1 8 N OV E M B E R 7. 3 0 P M

"So when the opportunity came up to direct this stunning version of the "untold story of the Witches of Oz" I was just wrapped.

"The fact that I am now able to once again work with such talent from our Wagga community, in a major musical production, is just the icing on the cake!"

The Civic Theatre continues its proud tradition of producing quality community musicals (The Boy from Oz, My Fair Lady, Oliver and Legally Blonde). Featuring an all-star local cast of singers, performers and musicians, the 2017 community musical is one not to miss!

TI C K E T P R I C E Adult $45.00 Concession $40.00 Group 4+ $40.00 Youth U25 $35.00 Child U15 $20.00 Adult Subscriber $38.00 Concession Subscriber $35.00 Youth U25 Subscriber $30.00

AG E R E CO M M E N D E D Suitable for a general audience.

As a guide to parents and guardians, it is recommended for ages 7+

OUR PACKAGES

TH E P E R F EC T PACK AG E

R E VI S ITE D CL A S S I C S

The Arrow of Song Dracula Circus Oz: Model Citizens Sydney Dance Company: Frame of Mind Hello, Goodbye & Happy Birthday Therese Raquin Bakersfield Mist Glorious!

Bell Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice James Morrison Academy Jazz Orchestra The Popular Mechanicals Wicked

The Arrow of Song Dracula Therese Raquin Bell Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice

CO NTE M P O R ARY LOO KS AN D H OO KS Circus Oz: Model Citizens Sydney Dance Company: Frame of Mind Hello, Goodbye & Happy Birthday James Morrison Academy Jazz Orchestra

F U N TI M E S Glorious!

The Popular Mechanicals Bakersfield Mist Wicked

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15 –18 June 2017

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SEASON 2017

O D DYS E A

ERTH’S PREHISTORIC AQ UA R I U M

F A D I A R Y OA T WOMB

MR STIN K

E M I LY L O V E T O B O U N C ES

GRUG & THE RAINBOW

Photo: Jessica Wyld

SENSORIUM THEATRE’S

O D DYS E A

PRODUCED BY PERFORMING LINES WA WEDNESDAY 7, THURSDAY 8, FRIDAY 9, SATURDAY 10 JUNE Join Crab and Turtle for this funfilled immersive journey into an undersea world, designed especially for children with special needs.

P R E S E N T E D I N PA R T N E R S H I P W I T H K U R R A J O N G E A R LY I N T E R V E N T I O N S E R V I C E (KEIS) & WILL ANS HILL SCHOOL

Set in a beautiful ocean installation, there’s plenty for your child to see, hear, smell, touch and taste as the story unfolds around them.

V E N U E Wagga Wagga Civic Centre

Sensorium Theatre create amazing experiences that cater for all children’s needs, taking the whole family on an exciting journey beneath the sea!

Artistic Directors Michelle Hovane & Francis Italiano Performers Rebecca Bradley, Amity Culver, Jamie David, Jessica Harlond-Kenny, Michelle Hovane & Francis Italiano

Don’t forget to pack a towel!

Is this for my child?

The performance is suitable for young people with special needs including autism spectrum disorders, sensory processing issues or impairments, intellectual disabilities, global development delay, cerebral palsy and other special needs.

KIDS SEASON

R U N N I N G T I M E 60mins (no interval)

Designer Francis Italiano Textile Designer Mand Markey Composer Jamie David with Mark Cain Produced by Performing Lines WA

A Performing Lines WA production. This project was supported by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.

A MONKEY BAA THEATRE COMPANY PRODUCTION

D I A R Y O F A W O M B AT BASED ON THE BOOK BY JACKIE FRENCH AND BRUCE WHATLEY

T U E S DAY 2 0 J U N E 6 P M | W E D N E S DAY 2 1 J U N E 1 0A M + 1 P M Millions of young people around the world have adored the multi awardwinning picture book, Diary of a Wombat.

Now finally this iconic work by Australian Children’s Laureate 2014/15 Jackie French and Bruce Whatley comes to the stage.

What Monkey Baa has done is extraordinary. In fact, what they have done is absolutely impossible, but Monkey Baa has always, ALWAYS done the impossible…

Meet Mothball, the naughtiest wombat in Australia. Bored with her daily routine, Mothball goes in search of shelter and food, creating chaos in the lives of the humans around her.

TICKET PRICE

Monkey Baa uses the magic of puppetry and live music to bring this delightful story for ages 3+ to the stage.

Director Eva Di Cesare

JAC K I E F R E N C H

One price $19.00 Subscriber $16.00

Groups 4+ $16.00 School group $14.00

PLEASE NOTE: The 6pm performance of Diary of a Wombat will be a relaxed performance.

AG E R E CO M M E N D E D Ages 3-9 R U N N I N G T I M E 45mins

Puppetry and Movement Director Alice Osborne Set and Costume Designer Imogen Ross Composer Oonagh Sherrard Lighting Designer Matt Cox Sound Designer Kingsley Reeve Puppet Design and Construction Bryony Anderson Conceptualised by Sandra Eldridge, Tim McGarry and Eva Di Cesare

KIDS SEASON

E M I LY L O V E S T O B O U N C E

BY PATCH THEATRE

W E D N E S DAY 5 J U LY 1 0 . 3 0 P M + 1 P M Inspired by three of the most loved books of Stephen Michael King, Emily Loves to Bounce creates a whimsical world full of balls and boxes where amazing ideas are expressed in extraordinary ways.

A S C H O O L H O L I DAY AC T I V I T Y

A masterstroke of ingenuity - a beautiful blend of sound, mime and illusion. It is intriguing, mystical, funny, irresistible and thoroughly absorbing.

Follow carefree Henry and practical Amy as they turn the world upside down and right way round, and learn that working together in spite of their differences brings out the best in everyone.

A D E L A I D E T H E AT R E G U I D E

Emily Loves to Bounce weaves together the stories of Henry and Amy, Emily Loves to Bounce and Patricia, adapted from the books by Stephen Michael King.

AG E R E CO M M E N D E D Ages 4-8

TICKET PRICE One price $19.00 Subscriber $16.00

Groups 4+ $16.00 School group $14.00

R U N N I N G T I M E 50mins (no interval)

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.

KIDS SEASON

Photo: Heidrun Lohr

ERTH - VISUAL & PHYSICAL INC. PRESENT

E R T H ’ S P R E H I S T O R I C AQ U A R I U M FRIDAY 14 J U LY 6 . 30PM | SATU RDAY 15 J U LY 10. 30AM + 1PM As an introduction into palaeontology and exploration of the rich history of life on planet earth this show is a must see.

A SCHOOL H O L I DAY AC T I V I T Y

TICKET PRICE One price $19.00 Subscriber $16.00

Groups 4+ $16.00 School group $14.00

E M I LY S H A D D I C K , A U S T R A L I A N S TAG E

PLEASE NOTE: The 10.30am performance of Erth’s Prehistoric Aquarium will be a relaxed performance.

Deep below the surface, submerged below time, swam some of the world’s most amazing prehistoric marine reptiles.

Following the internationally loved and applauded show Erth's Dinosaur Zoo™, the team at Erth have spent years scouring the seven seas, collecting playful prehistoric creatures of the deep in their giant aquarium. For the very first time, you are invited to dive in and meet these aquatic critters in person.

AG E R E CO M M E N D E D Ages 5+

Connecting young audiences to the real science of palaeontology, Erth’s prehistoric creatures are unmistakably ‘alive’ and mostly friendly, in this fun, educational and unique performance that will delight all audiences from ages 5 years and up.

Come dive with us to the historical depths of the ocean and unlock some of nature’s greatest mysteries.

R U N N I N G T I M E 50mins Writer Scott Wright with Drew Fairley and Catherine McNamara Director Scott Wright Head of Design Steve Howarth Producer Gemma Pepper

Erth’s Prehistoric Aquarium has been supported by Carriageworks’ IN DEVELOPMENT program, the NSW Government through Arts NSW and the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.

KIDS SEASON

MR STINK A CDP KIDS PRODUCTION A PLAY BY MARYAM MASTER

BASED ON THE BOOK BY DAVID WALLIAMS DIRECTED BY JONATHAN BIGGINS

TUESDAY 18 JULY 11:30AM, 1:30PM + 6PM David Walliams’ award-winning book comes to life on stage for children 6-12… and their adults!

Boisterous fun…the audience… thoroughly enjoyed this quality production.

"Mr Stink stank. He also stunk. And if it was correct English to say he stinked, then he stinked as well…”

T H E D A I LY T E L E G R A P H

It all starts when Chloe, just about the loneliest girl in the world, makes friends with Mr Stink, the local tramp. Sure he smells a bit, but he’s the only person who’s ever been nice to her. So, when Mr Stink needs a place to stay, Chloe decides to hide him in the garden shed.

One price $19.00 Subscriber $16.00

Now Chloe's got to make sure no one finds out her secret, but she’s about to learn that some secrets have a way of leading to disaster. And speaking of secrets, there just might be more to Mr Stink than meets the eye… or the nose…

The team behind The 13-, 26- and 52-Storey Treehouses live on stage return with this touching, twisted and hilarious, and very smelly tale… hold on to your nose!

KIDS SEASON

TICKET PRICE Groups 4+ $16.00 School group $14.00

AG E R E CO M M E N D E D Ages 6-12 R U N N I N G T I M E 60mins (no interval) Set Design James Browne Costume Design Lucy Scott Sound Design Daryl Wallis Lighting Design Nicholas Higgins Choreographer/Puppetry Shondelle Pratt

Photo: Shane Reid

GRUG & THE RAINBOW A WINDMILL THEATRE CO PRODUCTION

F R I DAY 1 5 + SAT U R DAY 1 6 S E P T E M B E R 1 0 : 3 0A M + 1 2 : 3 0 P M

More stories based on the much-loved picture book character created by Ted Prior.

Grug began his life as the grassy top of a Burrawang tree; fascinated by the world around him and never short of an adventure, now he’s back by popular demand.

Embarking on his own epic journey to find a rainbow, it always seems just beyond his grasp. But Grug is full of determination and his adventures are always full of surprises.

Featuring exquisite puppetry and more of the gentle storytelling that has delighted audiences around the world, this new show has been especially created for the next generation of our littlest theatregoers (and those who just love Grug).

Who’d have thought so much fun would come from the top of a burrawang tree.

S U N D AY M A I L

TICKET PRICE One price $19.00 Subscriber $16.00

Groups 4+ $16.00 School group $14.00

AG E R E CO M M E N D E D Under 5 years R U N N I N G T I M E 35mins (no interval) plus post show photo opportunity with actors and puppets.

Director Sam Haren Designer Jonathon Oxlade Composer DJ TR!P Technical Designer Chris Petridis Grug, Cara and Snoot Puppet Construction Tamara Rewse

KIDS SEASON

circ17l e 20

QUALITY ENTERTAINMENT DURING THE DAY ALL TICKETS $22 | ALL SHOWS 11AM FR E E M O R N I N G TE A FRO M 1 0AM

A F I NE R OM AN C E THE MAGIC OF FRED ASTAIRE W E D N E S DAY 1 2 A P R I L 1 1 A M | F R E E M O R N I N G T E A F R O M 1 0A M ‘Can’t sing, can’t act, slightly balding, can dance a little’ A Fine Romance: The Magic of Fred Astaire is an all singing, all dancing tribute to the man who went on to become the most famous dancer of all times.

Bringing back the old world glamour and charm with plenty of toe-tapping tunes and legendary dance routines of the era, A Fine Romance takes the audience from Fred’s humble beginnings on Broadway, all the way to his Hollywood days and on screen romances with his many leading ladies, including Ginger Rogers, Judy Garland, Audrey Hepburn and Rita Hayworth.

Audiences will love the costumes, the songs, the glitz, the extraordinary dancing and of course, the music. This show has something for everyone.

Joe Meldrum ‘….is in his graceful dance steps – and actually sings better than Astaire.’ ‘Moore is a shimmering delight who dances beautifully and sings wonderfully’ GLAMADELAIDE TICKET PRICE All tickets $22

R U N N I N G T I M E 65mins (no interval) Artistic Director/Executive Producer/Writer Margaret Fisk Director/Choreographer Jeremy Hinman Musical Director/Arranger Shanon D. Whitelock Designer Christina Logan-Bell Lighting Lucy Birkinshaw

Songs include: The Way You Look Tonight, They Can’t Take That Away From Me, Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off, Cheek to Cheek.

SILVER CIRCLE

LUCKIEST PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS

EVE RY B O DY LOVE S LUCY W E D N E S DAY 2 8 J U N E 1 1 A M | F R E E M O R N I N G T E A F R O M 1 0A M Lucille Ball was the Queen of American comedy for decades. As television’s biggest star in I Love Lucy – the most popular sitcom in American history - the wacky, fearless, and totally endearing Lucy broke the mould for the way women were allowed to behave on TV. Lucy was joined every step of the way by her reallife and on-screen husband Desi Arnaz. Together they defied conventions and expectations, and ensured total control by creating their own studio.

Lucy and Desi held up a fun-house mirror to every marriage in America - exaggerating and making amusing every idiosyncrasy of married life. But as Lucy’s popularity thrived, her relationship with Desi suffered both professionally and privately.

Generations of fans love Lucy Ricardo for her impulsive, foolhardy and child-like charm – but the producer of I Love Lucy once said “Lucille Ball is about as different from Lucy Ricardo as anyone could possibly be.” She was a dedicated professional whose seemingly effortless comedy was a result of rigorous attention to detail and fanatical rehearsing.

Brimming with Lucille Ball’s irrepressible spirit, Luckiest Productions present a tribute to a true trail-blazer. This cabaret-style show is a treat for audiences young and old.

SILVER CIRCLE

A pitch-perfect performance…

Equal parts amusing and bittersweet.

D A I LY T E L E G R A P H S Y D N E Y TICKET PRICE All tickets $22

R U N N I N G T I M E 60mins (no interval)

Written by Elise McCann & Richard Carroll Director Helen Dallimore Choreography Christopher Horsey Dramaturge Merridy Eastman

JOHN LIDGERWOOD’S STYLE MUSIC THEATRE PRESENTS:

KINGS O F C R O O N W E D N E S DAY 1 6 AU G U S T 1 1 A M | F R E E M O R N I N G T E A F R O M 1 0A M Boasting palpable charm and breathtaking voices, these tuxedo-clad crooners bring back a classic Vegas-like lounge show with a dynamic, modern twist. A trip back to an iconic time but on 21st century wings with modern mixes of contemporary songs included alongside the classic hits.

Velvety deliveries of Save the Last Dance for Me, Mack the Knife, Speak Softly Love and Beyond the Sea tip the hat to artists such as Andy Williams, Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin and so many more. Unique coupling and tripling of songs like Unchained Melody, Can’t Help Falling in Love, John Legend’s All of Me and Adele’s Someone Like You seamlessly deliver a modern twist to this show.

Style Music Theatre has enjoyed bringing programs to the southern states of Australia for over 20 years.

J OH N LIDG E RWOOD

TICKET PRICE All tickets $22

R U N I N G T I M E 60mins (no interval)

Scott Irwin, Derek Metzger and Ian Stenlake have created a show with a great deal of style and swagger! Every audience member will take away a very memorable experience as the crooners demonstrate through interaction ‘what it takes to be a crooner’.

SILVER CIRCLE

LITT L E PAT T I E W E D N E S DAY 2 9 N OV E M B E R 1 1 A M | F R E E M O R N I N G T E A F R O M 1 0A M Little Pattie is as energetic today as she was when she took a strong hold on the Australian music scene in the mid-sixties. With a succession of hits, her musical talents are credited with many industry awards.

With a succession of hits including He’s my Blonde Headed Stompie Wompie Real Gone Surfer Boy and Stompin’ at Maroubra and as a long standing member of the Bandstand Family, Pattie established herself as a prominent force in the Australian music industry.

Many times Pattie has represented her country overseas, including performing on The Ed Sullivan Show on television in the U.S. In 1990 Pattie was the first Australian singer to perform concerts throughout China. Later that year she was an Australian ambassador again in Osaka, Japan, singing with the legendary Graeme Bell All Stars.

SILVER CIRCLE

Little Pattie continues an impressive track record in the music industry. She is a true professional and a much loved Australian performer.

TICKET PRICE All tickets $22

R U N N I N G T I M E 60mins (no interval)

MU SI C AT M I D DAY A N D MU SI C I N T H E E VE N IN G The Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre proudly presents the 2017 Season of Music at Midday and Music in the Evening featuring Australian Army Band Kapooka.

Conducted by Major Lindsay Mee. Tickets are available three weeks before each concert both online or by contacting the Civic Theatre. Prior notification of group bookings will be accepted.

All unoccupied seats at 10 minutes prior to the concert start time will be reallocated.

T H U R S DAY 9 M A R C H 12NOON + 6PM W E D N E S DAY 1 0 M AY 12NOON + 6PM W E D N E S DAY 2 0 SEPTEMBER 12NOON + 6PM F R E E CO M M U N I T Y E V E N T

For group bookings: Civic Theatre Booking Office 6926 9688 or boxoffice@civictheatre.com.au

SILVER CIRCLE

2017 C A L EN DAR JANUARY

JUNE

SEPTEMBER

MONDAY 30 JANUARY Single tickets on sale

FRIDAY 2 + SATURDAY 3 JUNE Circus Oz: Model Citizens

SUNDAY 10 SEPTEMBER James Morrison Academy Jazz Orchestra

WEDNESDAY 7 – SATURDAY 10 JUNE Oddysea

FRIDAY 15 + SATURDAY 16 SEPTEMBER Grug and the Rainbow

WEDNESDAY 15 SUNDAY 18 JUNE Wagga Comedy Fest 2017

WEDNESDAY 20 SEPTEMBER Music at Midday and Music in the Evening

TUESDAY 20 + WEDNESDAY 21 JUNE Diary of a Wombat

SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER Glorious!

FEBRUARY FRIDAY 10 FEBRUARY The Arrow of Song

MARCH FRIDAY 3 MARCH Twilight by the Lagoon with Beccy Cole and the Australian Army Band Kapooka THURSDAY 9 MARCH Music at Midday and Music in the Evening

APRIL WEDNESDAY 12 APRIL A Fine Romance

WEDNESDAY 28 JUNE Everybody Loves Lucy

JULY WEDNESDAY 5 JULY Emily Loves to Bounce SATURDAY 8 JULY Sydney Dance Company: Frame of Mind FRIDAY 14 + SATURDAY 15 JULY Erth’s Prehistoric Aquarium TUESDAY 18 JULY Mr Stink

MAY THURSDAY 4 + FRIDAY 5 MAY Dracula WEDNESDAY 10 MAY Music at Midday and Music in the Evening

THURSDAY 20 JULY Hello, Goodbye and Happy Birthday WEDNESDAY 26 JULY + THURSDAY 27 JULY Therese Raquin

AUGUST TUESDAY 8 AUGUST Bakersfield Mist WEDNESDAY 16 AUGUST Kings of Croon

SILVER CIRCLE

OCTOBER MONDAY 2 – FRIDAY 6 OCTOBER Hall-A-Day Adventures TUESDAY 10 OCTOBER Bell Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice TUESDAY 24 OCTOBER The Popular Mechanicals

NOVEMBER SATURDAY 4– 18 NOVEMBER Wicked WEDNESDAY 29 NOVEMBER Little Pattie

New shows go on sale all the time.

Keep up to date with all upcoming shows on our website.

www.civictheatre.com.au

Riverina Playhouse

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Wollundry Lagoon

Car Park AY SW RN BU

Entrance foyer Victory Memorial Gardens

Museum of the Riverina

Car Park

Visitor Information Centre

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BAYLIS STREET

Civic Centre

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TTA CU TAR

Civic

ACC E SS I N F O R M ATIO N Wheelchair spaces are available and we can assist with other mobility issues. If you require wheelchair access or other assistance at the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre please indicate on the booking form or inform the box office team at the time of your booking.

The Civic Theatre is fitted with a hearing loop. The system is accessible via hearing aids with a telephone setting. Please note, reception quality and levels may vary according to the age and type of hearing aid.

A carer is entitled to a free ticket when accompanying a paid Companion Card holder to the theatre.

Parking is available in close proximity to the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre. Car parks are located in Cross Street, entry via Cross Street and at the corner of Morrow and O’Reilly Streets, entry via O’Reilly Street.

The Civic Theatre foyer is a designated area for people to safely recharge their electric mobility scooter or wheelchair battery free of charge.

E VERYONE DESERVES THE CHANCE T O F LY WICKED

W W W. C I V I C T H E AT R E . C O M . A U

WA G G A WA G G A C I V I C T H E AT R E I S A FA C I L I T Y O F T H E C O U N C I L O F T H E C I T Y O F WA G G A WA G G A