HIT MUSICAL CHICAGO BEGINS AUSTRALIAN TOUR IN BRISBANE
Published Friday, 19 September, 2008 at 09:00 AM
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
The Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) in Brisbane has secured the national premiere of hit musical Chicago Arts Minister Rod Welford said today.
Mr Welford said the multi award-winning musical would open in QPAC’s newly refurbished Lyric Theatre on 18 March 2009 before touring to Sydney, Perth and Melbourne.
“This is the second cultural coup for Brisbane in as many weeks,” Mr Welford said.
“Following the announcement that the Paris Opera Ballet will undertake its only Australian performances for 2009 in the state, this strengthens Queensland’s growing reputation for presenting the nation’s best arts and cultural experiences.
“Our Government’s $34 million refurbishment of QPAC will further enhance the venue’s capacity to attract the best performing arts from Australia and the world.
“QPAC is a partner in this national tour of Chicago, as it was for The Phantom of the Opera, which attracted sell-out performances in Brisbane and across Australia and is about to open in New Zealand.”
Winner of six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and a Grammy, Chicago is one of the longest-running musicals on Broadway in New York and in London’s West End.
It is 10 years since the ‘story of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery’ played at QPAC.
Two-time Tony Award-winning producer John Frost, who has Hairspray playing on Broadway, Wicked on stage in Melbourne and Priscilla playing in Sydney, said he was thrilled to bring Chicago to Brisbane first.
“Brisbane is undergoing a cultural renaissance,” Mr Frost said.
“To have the opportunity to work with QPAC and be the first show to open in this splendid venue is certainly an honour and Chicago is set to enhance Queensland’s international reputation as a city for world-renowned arts events.”
Auditions for the cast will be held in Brisbane on 19 October. Tickets for Chicago go on sale late next month.
Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 3237 1000
19 September 2008
Mr Welford said the multi award-winning musical would open in QPAC’s newly refurbished Lyric Theatre on 18 March 2009 before touring to Sydney, Perth and Melbourne.
“This is the second cultural coup for Brisbane in as many weeks,” Mr Welford said.
“Following the announcement that the Paris Opera Ballet will undertake its only Australian performances for 2009 in the state, this strengthens Queensland’s growing reputation for presenting the nation’s best arts and cultural experiences.
“Our Government’s $34 million refurbishment of QPAC will further enhance the venue’s capacity to attract the best performing arts from Australia and the world.
“QPAC is a partner in this national tour of Chicago, as it was for The Phantom of the Opera, which attracted sell-out performances in Brisbane and across Australia and is about to open in New Zealand.”
Winner of six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and a Grammy, Chicago is one of the longest-running musicals on Broadway in New York and in London’s West End.
It is 10 years since the ‘story of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery’ played at QPAC.
Two-time Tony Award-winning producer John Frost, who has Hairspray playing on Broadway, Wicked on stage in Melbourne and Priscilla playing in Sydney, said he was thrilled to bring Chicago to Brisbane first.
“Brisbane is undergoing a cultural renaissance,” Mr Frost said.
“To have the opportunity to work with QPAC and be the first show to open in this splendid venue is certainly an honour and Chicago is set to enhance Queensland’s international reputation as a city for world-renowned arts events.”
Auditions for the cast will be held in Brisbane on 19 October. Tickets for Chicago go on sale late next month.
Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 3237 1000
19 September 2008