Five minutes with…Wayne Scott Kermond.

Wayne Scott Kermond: Making 'em laugh.

Wayne Scott Kermond: Making 'em laugh.

Wayne Scott Kermond is about to star as Max Bialystock,

morally bankrupt Broadway producer and seducer of little old ladies in The Producers.

The song and dance man shares his showbiz tips and talks everything from family to fast cars.

How are you today?

Good, I’m breathing.


Were you really born in a trunk?

No, I was born in a hospital but they carted me out in a trunk. And I went on the road with my Mum and Dad.


You were recently in Japan. Are you big there?

Yes!.  In Australia I’m short, but in Japan I’m tall…Actually, there’s a great Jazz scene in Japan, I love it.

Friendship! Amanda Harrison as Reno and Wayne as Moonface, Anything Goes

Friendship! Amanda Harrison as Reno and Wayne as Moonface, Anything Goes

You’ve played everyone from Moonface Martin in Anything Goes, Cosmo Brown in Singin’ In The Rain to a motion capture penguin (Lovelace) in Happy Feet. What has been your favourite role so far?

They ‘re all special because they have all been so unique. Cosmo Brown; I loved doing the “Make ‘em Laugh” routine, and running up the wall 8 times a week.  Moonface Martin was such  fun, and I got to work opposite the delightful Christie Whelan.   I loved working on Happy Feet , George Miller directed me, and I got to bring Robin Williams vocal antics to life.


You’re more than a triple threat, you sing, dance, act, write and produce. What tips would you borrow from Max Bialystock, the world weary, morally bankrupt Broadway producer?

As Max says,”Never put your own money in the show. Get it? Got it. Good.”

Complete this sentence: “When not onstage, Wayne is usually found…“ working on my craft, keeping fit and spending precious time with my family.”


Who is your hero? And why?

My wife is my hero. She gave birth to our son who constantly inspires us. And my showbiz heroes would be Sammy Davis Jnr, Donald O’Connor and the Marx Brothers. Anyone that makes me laugh and are great physical comics.

What was the first show you saw?

Gypsy when I was 10…And then ended being in the show as a tap dancing sailor!


Samson had his hair; Clinton had his interns…what’s your weakness?

Motorbikes, boats and fast cars.

And finally…
Why did the chicken cross the road?

She didn’t, she was chicken.

Thanks Wayne!

Five minutes with…Brent Hill.

Brent Hill is preparing to play Leopold Bloom, a mild-mannered accountant who dreams of life as Broadway producer in

The Producers.

The WAAPA trained actor was most recently seen as Lonny in Rock of Ages.
We sat down with Brent to get the inside track on what makes this actor tick!

Brent Hill: loves Shakespeare...drinks tea.

Brent Hill: loves Shakespeare…drinks tea.


How are you today?

I’m about 89% liquid, thanks.



What’s your guilty pleasure?

I think I’ve worked guilt out of my system.  In terms of constant pleasure, tea.


What do you never leave home without?

Clothes.  Most of the time.


First musical you saw?

In high school I watched Cats and Jesus Christ Superstar a few times on VHS, but the first live musical that actually affected me was Lippa’s The Wild Party.  Incredible music, incredible lyrics, and simply beautiful.


Favourite musical or role?

Most of the Shakespeare’s.  I’d love a hand at Mozart / Salieri in Amadeus, something from Book of Mormon.  Addams Family is wonderfully written.  But no joke, The Producers. I’m very inspired by Mel Brooks and his brain. A friend gave me the soundtrack for The Producers. I wore it out before I even saw the stage version.


Complete this sentence: If I wasn’t an actor I would be…

Living someone else’s life.


Who’s your hero? And why?

Mel Brooks.  His brain.  Also Steve Martin, Conan O’Brian and Tim Schafer.  They’re about comedy but also strength through creating a supportive team and environment.

Mel Brooks: My hero.

Mel Brooks: My hero.

Share a snap of something in your world right now.

Working on a few projects involving a lot of writing, drawing, composing and copious amounts of tea and procrastination.  Doing as much improv as I can.  Trying to find my keys.


What’s your favourite line in the Producers?

Eleven.  No, wait; “I’m the German Ethel Merman don’t cha know!”


What’s your go-to karaoke song?

I enjoy Karaoke Roulette.


Can I borrow ten bucks?

You can… but you have to pay me back with something interesting when I least expect it.


Thanks Brent!

Casting The Producers.

Melbourne performers turn out to audition for the first show in Season 2012, Mel Brook’s The Producers.

Melbourne’s best singer / dancer / actors strutted their stuff at auditions for The Producers creative team recently.

Director Dean Bryant, Director and Choreographer Andrew Hallsworth and Artistic Director Ken Mackenzie-Forbes AM
Director Dean Bryant, Director and Choreographer Andrew Hallsworth and Artistic Director Ken Mackenzie-Forbes AM

Looking for everything from Showgirls to Storm Troopers…

Over two days at Patrick Studio's hundreds of performers danced, sang and acted their way through the audition process.
Over two days at Patrick Studio’s hundreds of performers danced, sang and acted their way through the audition process.

..we were spoiled for choice!

Dean and Andrew deliberate on the audition cards.
Dean and Andrew deliberate on the audition cards.

Thank you, Melbourne. Full cast announced soon!

Grey Gardens caps off 2011 as a must-see theatrical event

Theatre People Review

Submitted by Simon Parris on Friday, 25th Nov 2011

‘Bravo to The Production Company for having the courage to stage Grey Gardens…within the confines of limited run shows this is a five star production and should not be missed by all fans of musical theatre.’

Click on the above link for the full review of Grey Gardens.

The Circle

Pamela Rabe and Nancye Hayes on The Circle

Pamela Rabe and Nancye Hayes on The Circle

Grey Gardens stars Pamela Rabe and Nancye Hayes

chat with

Channel Ten’s The Circle.

Watch them: with special guest co-host Deborra-Lee Furness – here:

Pamela Rabe and Nancye Hayes on The Circle, Channel Ten

Roger Hodgman talks about Grey Gardens


KISMET – Review


Submitted by Simon Parris on Thursday, 18th Aug 2011 for theatrepeople.com.au

Lovers of time honoured musicals would be hard pressed to find a more beautifully sung production than The Production Company’s Kismet.

At The Production Company’s Kismet, audience members are the Strangers in Paradise, enjoying a glittering production of a seldom seen musical.

Kismet-1

Owing more to the world of operetta than Broadway, Kismet harks form a bygone age of the theatre and as such it fits perfectly into TPC’s long stated goal to present rarely staged shows. Clearly a labour of love from all concerned, the production is as lavish as one could hope for in a concert setting, with costumes and choreography, in particular, being artistic highpoints.

Adapted from the work of classical composer Alexander Borodin, the 1953 Tony winning musical has an exceptionally lush score. Giving a superb performance of the score, it is wonderful to see Orchestra Victoria featured downstage, adjacent to the action rather than framing it. Full credit goes to Musical Director Peter Casey for having musicians and singers sounding so beautiful.

The plot takes full advantage of the exoticism and pageantry of a Baghdad far removed from today’s image. The pace of the storytelling, however, has not kept up with current trends and some sections could have benefitted from judicious trimming. The theme of fate drives the action, mocking the characters’ attempts at manipulation, miracles and wizardry. Director Terence O’Connell demonstrates a sure hand in balancing the believability of the lovers with the high camp of the villains…

READ MORE

Backstage with Todd McKenney



ANYTHING GOES : Review

The Australian
Friday 22 July, 2011-07-22
Peter Burch

The Production Company’s wise choices of shows, stage and music directors, choreographers, costume, set, lighting and sound designers and generally flawless casting, with fantastic accompaniment by our indispensible Orchestra Victoria, guarantee that its performances enchant Melbourne’s audiences.

Launching this years season, the Production Company revived Cole Porter’s brash, evergreen Anything Goes, last staged by it a decade ago. The Anything Goes dream cast, led by Amanda Harrison, Alex Rathgeber, Todd McKenney, Christie Whelan and Wayne Scott Kermond, brought all of this together in a joyous, life-affirming staging of Porter’s enduring musical confection that thrilled its capacity audience and warmed Melbourne’s winter.

New stars announced for The Production Company’s season 2011



Todd McKenney, Christie Whelan and Mitchell Butel to star in The Production Company’s Season 2011.

cast

Melbourne’s unique musical theatre company, The Production Company has today announced its casts for the three musicals in its 2011 Season.

Opening the season on July 20 is Cole Porter’s Anything Goes. The stellar cast for this show is Amanda Harrison (Wicked), Alex Rathgeber (The Boy Friend), Todd McKenney (The Boy From Oz), Christie Whelan (Xanadu, Sugar), Wayne Scott Kermond (Singin’ in the Rain, Candy Man), Christy Sullivan (Next To Normal), Anne Wood (Mamma Mia!) and John O’May (Phantom of the Opera).

This Australian production will be directed by musical theatre wunderkind, Andrew Hallsworth and Dean Bryant (Next to Normal) and the musical director is Maestro Peter Casey. Anything Goes is at the State Theatre from July 20 to 24.

Artistic Director, Ken Mackenzie-Forbes said ‘We are thrilled to announce this brilliant line up of stars for our three shows, which are Cole Porter’s most popular musical, Anything Goes, the romantic and enchanting, Kismet and the bizarre and irresistible Grey Gardens. With these three very different musicals we have an extraordinary range of talent to showcase. Subscribers to The Production Company are assured of a wonderful season of musical entertainment.’

Two brilliant comedians are announced for Kismet. They are Mitchell Butel (The Mikado, Sugar) and Helen Dallimore (Wicked London and Spring Awakening). They join opera stars José Carbó (The Barber of Seville , La Boheme), Janet Todd (The Magic Flute) and Josh Piterman (West Side Story).

Terence O’Connell directs this new production with Peter Casey as musical director. Kismet will play August 17 to 21 in the State Theatre.

For the Australian premiere season of the musical, Grey Gardens AFI Award Winner, Pamela Rabe returns to the company to perform the virtuoso roles of Edith Bouvier Beale and ‘Little’ Edie. Helpmann Award Winner, Nancye Hayes plays the role of the aged Edith. New cast announced now includes James Millar (Oklahoma!, author of The Hatpin) and John O’May in this Tony Award winning musical.

Roger Hodgman directs this new production, which will be in the Arts Centre’s Playhouse. Kellie Dickerson (Wicked, Doctor Zhivago) is musical director.

You can subscribe to all three shows for as little as $108. To subscribe call The Arts Centre on 1300 182 183 or 9247 4800 or go on line to www.theproductioncompany.com.au

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