March 2023 (delayed release)
In this edition:
- From the President
- What's happening in local community theatre?
- Neighbouring theatre communities and their productions
- School of Rock update
- FOCUS magazine - April 2023 edition
- So what is ATOMIC: The Musical?
- Tickets to CHMCC shows
- Membership - did you know?
From the President, Peter Hodges
Hi everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the CHMCC newsletter.
What a year we have had so far and it's only April! Thank you to the members who were able to turn up to help out with the start of the shed clear out a few weeks ago. It's a huge job and as the saying goes, many hands make light work. We will be looking at another cleaning session later in June. Watch this space for details when we have locked in a date.
Following on from the cleanout was our first social event of the year, where a small but enthusiastic group of us met at King Tide Brewing for an afternoon of fun and frivolity. These events are a fantastic way for us to get together outside of the theatre and I encourage everyone to try and come along to our next event. Again, watch this space for further details.
Rehearsals are well under way for "School of Rock", which by all accounts is going to be yet another fabulous CHMCC show. Please see Fiona's report later in this newsletter for more details. Don't forget to get your tickets!
Speaking of buying tickets, DO NOT MISS your opportunity to get along to CHATS production of "Avenue Q", now playing at the Jetty Theatre. Four shows down and only five to go; the show must close on Sunday 9 April. This is something truly unique, and uproariously funny. Yes, vested interest from me because I'm in the cast, but it is very much worth getting along to see!
That will do from me for now. See you at "Avenue Q"!
Peter Hodges
President
Coffs Harbour Musical Comedy Company
What a year we have had so far and it's only April! Thank you to the members who were able to turn up to help out with the start of the shed clear out a few weeks ago. It's a huge job and as the saying goes, many hands make light work. We will be looking at another cleaning session later in June. Watch this space for details when we have locked in a date.
Following on from the cleanout was our first social event of the year, where a small but enthusiastic group of us met at King Tide Brewing for an afternoon of fun and frivolity. These events are a fantastic way for us to get together outside of the theatre and I encourage everyone to try and come along to our next event. Again, watch this space for further details.
Rehearsals are well under way for "School of Rock", which by all accounts is going to be yet another fabulous CHMCC show. Please see Fiona's report later in this newsletter for more details. Don't forget to get your tickets!
Speaking of buying tickets, DO NOT MISS your opportunity to get along to CHATS production of "Avenue Q", now playing at the Jetty Theatre. Four shows down and only five to go; the show must close on Sunday 9 April. This is something truly unique, and uproariously funny. Yes, vested interest from me because I'm in the cast, but it is very much worth getting along to see!
That will do from me for now. See you at "Avenue Q"!
Peter Hodges
President
Coffs Harbour Musical Comedy Company
What's happening in local community theatre?
|
Our local theatre community cousins, Coffs Harbour Amateur Theatre Society's (CHATS) production of Avenue Q is currently on stage at the Jetty Memorial Theatre, and is receiving rave reviews! Make sure you purchase tickets and head to the theatre this weekend to experience it for yourself, as there are only 5 shows remaining, and then it is DONE for good. But a word of warning - it is recommended for mature audiences only so read up on it before purchasing tickets.
Tickets can be purchased from the Jetty Memorial Theatre website, or by clicking the link below. |
|
Soon information pertaining to auditions for CHATS rendition of Educating Rita will be released. Educating Rita is a witty yet poignant look at a working class woman’s attempts to change her social circumstances through pursuit of an Open University qualification. Directed by Dee Tune and on the Jetty Theatre stage in July 2023.
Neighbouring theatre communities and their productions
|
The Criterion Theatre, Grafton, are producing The One Day of the Year and will be on stage April 27th-30th.
Undoubtedly one of Australia’s favourite plays, The One Day of the Year explores the universal theme of father–son conflict against the background of the beery haze and the heady, nostalgic sentimentality of Anzac Day. Tickets purchasable from The Criterion Theatre website in the coming days. |
|
Dorrigo Dramatic Club, Dorrigo, has two upcoming shows: The Travellers, and a one-act festival in June! Make sure you head over to their Facebook page and give them a like and show them your support!
|
|
School of Rock update
Hello all community theatre rockers!
I am so excited to share with you information about School of Rock rehearsals. With just over 5 weeks until opening night, I am blown away by the cast and crew who are involved with School of Rock, and the individual skills they each have to bring this show to life. Without each and every one of them, this show would not be at the stage it is. Bec and I are so thankful to you all.
The first month of rehearsals saw a heavy focus on choreography and vocals, with Teo Ross (choreographer extraordinaire) teaching the cast amazing routines that will astound you all. Kate Freeman, our vocal coach, is one-of-a-kind and has been working tirelessly in assisting our cast with nailing their vocal lines and harmonies; Andrew Lloyd Webber really enjoys making a vocally challenging musical, and our cast has risen to the challenge.
We have been incredibly fortunate in the pit band that we have for this show. Matt, Tommy, Garth, and Leon, alongside our amazing music director Rachel Crismale, have been attending most Monday night rehearsals, something that rarely occurs in community theatre. We are so thankful to them for their commitment to this show and the joy they bring to rehearsals. The production team are very excited to have a live pit band performing each and every show. The pit band will be front and centre at the Jetty Theatre in May-June.
So, what should audiences expect when they see the show? You will see a wicked combination of engaging choreography, beautiful vocals, on-point costumes and props, amazing sets and REAL LIFE ROCK BANDS (there are three!). They will also experience relationships and chemistry between the cast/characters that blossom on stage, and they will be taken on a journey with Dewey Finn (Thomas Madden) as he impersonates his best friend Ned Schneebly (Brodie Robertson) as a substitute teacher.
March saw the cast learn the blocking for the show, from start to finish. By around the third week of March, we had a skeleton of the show with each scene blocked and choreography being revised and tidied every rehearsal. We began running act 1 and 2, all the way through, around the 26th March.
We have also been incredibly fortunate with the connections that this show brings, and the amount of people who wish to see this show as a huge success for all involved.
Chris (Rebecca Riches' [Rosalie Mullins] mother) has been working tirelessly on the school skirts and pants for the teens, Greg Wilson Jnr (who is not just a sound tech), and has been working very VERY hard on sets and props for the show, and Annamarie Cohen, the production manager, has put so much time into making this show a success, whilst also providing cakes for our cast who celebrate their birthdays while with us. We are so thankful to you all the hard work you have been putting in to this show.
I have shared below some happy snaps from rehearsals below.
I hope you DO NOT miss this production - I may be biased, but this show is going to ROCK!!!!!!!!!
Rock on!
Fiona Shaw and Rebecca Nicholson
Directors
I am so excited to share with you information about School of Rock rehearsals. With just over 5 weeks until opening night, I am blown away by the cast and crew who are involved with School of Rock, and the individual skills they each have to bring this show to life. Without each and every one of them, this show would not be at the stage it is. Bec and I are so thankful to you all.
The first month of rehearsals saw a heavy focus on choreography and vocals, with Teo Ross (choreographer extraordinaire) teaching the cast amazing routines that will astound you all. Kate Freeman, our vocal coach, is one-of-a-kind and has been working tirelessly in assisting our cast with nailing their vocal lines and harmonies; Andrew Lloyd Webber really enjoys making a vocally challenging musical, and our cast has risen to the challenge.
We have been incredibly fortunate in the pit band that we have for this show. Matt, Tommy, Garth, and Leon, alongside our amazing music director Rachel Crismale, have been attending most Monday night rehearsals, something that rarely occurs in community theatre. We are so thankful to them for their commitment to this show and the joy they bring to rehearsals. The production team are very excited to have a live pit band performing each and every show. The pit band will be front and centre at the Jetty Theatre in May-June.
So, what should audiences expect when they see the show? You will see a wicked combination of engaging choreography, beautiful vocals, on-point costumes and props, amazing sets and REAL LIFE ROCK BANDS (there are three!). They will also experience relationships and chemistry between the cast/characters that blossom on stage, and they will be taken on a journey with Dewey Finn (Thomas Madden) as he impersonates his best friend Ned Schneebly (Brodie Robertson) as a substitute teacher.
March saw the cast learn the blocking for the show, from start to finish. By around the third week of March, we had a skeleton of the show with each scene blocked and choreography being revised and tidied every rehearsal. We began running act 1 and 2, all the way through, around the 26th March.
We have also been incredibly fortunate with the connections that this show brings, and the amount of people who wish to see this show as a huge success for all involved.
Chris (Rebecca Riches' [Rosalie Mullins] mother) has been working tirelessly on the school skirts and pants for the teens, Greg Wilson Jnr (who is not just a sound tech), and has been working very VERY hard on sets and props for the show, and Annamarie Cohen, the production manager, has put so much time into making this show a success, whilst also providing cakes for our cast who celebrate their birthdays while with us. We are so thankful to you all the hard work you have been putting in to this show.
I have shared below some happy snaps from rehearsals below.
I hope you DO NOT miss this production - I may be biased, but this show is going to ROCK!!!!!!!!!
Rock on!
Fiona Shaw and Rebecca Nicholson
Directors
FOCUS magazine - April 2023 edition
So what is ATOMIC: The Musical?
ATOMIC is a biopic rock musical that follows the life of Leo Szilard, before, during and after WW2 with a major focus on his involvement with The Manhattan Project, a top secret military project that saw the creation and use of the worlds first Atomic Bombs.
Leo Szilard is an incredible historic figure that the world never knew about, with most of his story having been redacted until the early 60’s. Leo Szilard was a Hungarian Jewish scientist who fled Germany to England after seeing the writing on the wall when Adolf Hitler become Chancellor of Germany in 1933.
Szilard eventually fled to the United States where he became instrumental in the development of the Manhattan Project, after hearing word that German Scientists were close to splitting the atom, and, knowing what this could lead to, Leo conceived the idea of sending a confidential letter to Franklin D. Roosevelt, warning him about the potential dangers of the German atomic bomb and encouraging the U.S. to fund their own development of such a weapon. The letter he wrote was endorsed and signed by his close friend and fellow academic, Albert Einstein.
After the successful creation and testing of the atomic bomb, and after Germany’s surrender it was discovered that Germany had not come close to splitting that atom much less to creating atomic weapons. This lead to Leo’s multiple attempts to stop the US military from using the weapons on actual cities. His efforts were redacted by the US government, Leo was quoted as having said that The SECRET stamp is the most powerful weapon ever invented.
The Szilárd petition, was one such effort, which was drafted and circulated in July 1945 by Leo it was signed by 70 scientists who were working on the Manhattan Project in one way or another. It pleaded with President Truman that if they must use the atomic weapons to at the very least inform Japan of the terms of surrender demanded by the allies, and allow Japan to either accept or refuse these terms, before America used Atomic weapons.
Leo took the petition to the Secretary of State James F Byrnes hoping to find someone who would pass on to President Truman the message from scientists that the bomb should not be used on a civilian population in Japan, Byrnes was not sympathetic to the idea at all and as such the petition never made it through the chain of command to President Truman. The petition was stamped secret was not declassified and made public until 1961.
After the meeting with Byrnes, Leo was quoted as having said, "How much better off the world might be, had I been born in America and become influential in American politics, and had Byrnes been born in Hungary and studied physics.".
The show features an ensemble cast of real life historical figures who’s scientific discoveries, experiments and military exploits helped to form the world into what it is today. The cast will work together to tell a forgotten story about ethics, loyalty, love, desperation, determination, pride, and regret.
The cast album can be found on Spotify and YouTube and I highly recommend giving it a listen if you’re interested in history, conspiracy, WW2 or just a really good rock album to add to your collection.
Regards,
Rebecca Riches
Director of ATOMIC: The Musical
Leo Szilard is an incredible historic figure that the world never knew about, with most of his story having been redacted until the early 60’s. Leo Szilard was a Hungarian Jewish scientist who fled Germany to England after seeing the writing on the wall when Adolf Hitler become Chancellor of Germany in 1933.
Szilard eventually fled to the United States where he became instrumental in the development of the Manhattan Project, after hearing word that German Scientists were close to splitting the atom, and, knowing what this could lead to, Leo conceived the idea of sending a confidential letter to Franklin D. Roosevelt, warning him about the potential dangers of the German atomic bomb and encouraging the U.S. to fund their own development of such a weapon. The letter he wrote was endorsed and signed by his close friend and fellow academic, Albert Einstein.
After the successful creation and testing of the atomic bomb, and after Germany’s surrender it was discovered that Germany had not come close to splitting that atom much less to creating atomic weapons. This lead to Leo’s multiple attempts to stop the US military from using the weapons on actual cities. His efforts were redacted by the US government, Leo was quoted as having said that The SECRET stamp is the most powerful weapon ever invented.
The Szilárd petition, was one such effort, which was drafted and circulated in July 1945 by Leo it was signed by 70 scientists who were working on the Manhattan Project in one way or another. It pleaded with President Truman that if they must use the atomic weapons to at the very least inform Japan of the terms of surrender demanded by the allies, and allow Japan to either accept or refuse these terms, before America used Atomic weapons.
Leo took the petition to the Secretary of State James F Byrnes hoping to find someone who would pass on to President Truman the message from scientists that the bomb should not be used on a civilian population in Japan, Byrnes was not sympathetic to the idea at all and as such the petition never made it through the chain of command to President Truman. The petition was stamped secret was not declassified and made public until 1961.
After the meeting with Byrnes, Leo was quoted as having said, "How much better off the world might be, had I been born in America and become influential in American politics, and had Byrnes been born in Hungary and studied physics.".
The show features an ensemble cast of real life historical figures who’s scientific discoveries, experiments and military exploits helped to form the world into what it is today. The cast will work together to tell a forgotten story about ethics, loyalty, love, desperation, determination, pride, and regret.
The cast album can be found on Spotify and YouTube and I highly recommend giving it a listen if you’re interested in history, conspiracy, WW2 or just a really good rock album to add to your collection.
Regards,
Rebecca Riches
Director of ATOMIC: The Musical
|
|
Tickets to CHMCC shows
Membership - did you know?
Coffs Harbour Musical Comedy Company membership runs per calendar year. If you have not renewed your membership for 2023, please go to the membership page to follow the link to renew your membership. Cost is $10.00 per person, or $20.00 per family (2 adults, all children [must be under 18 years]). Membership helps this group continue to run and produce amazing shows, such as School of Rock and ATOMIC. We truly appreciate each and every one of you and your continued support of the company.
