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

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