A love letter to musical theatre, friendship and creative self-expression, [title of show] is the hilarious, wacky and sincere award winning musical about two guys writing a musical about two guys writing a musical. The slightly bizarre and very funny [title of show] is playing its premiere season in Sydney at the Seymour Centre for a limited season from July 14 till August 7.
With three weeks until the deadline for the New York Music Theatre festival, Hunter, played by Jay James-Moody and Jeff, played by Blake Erickson decide they have nothing to lose and set themselves the task of creating an original musical destined for Broadway. With their lady friends Susan, played by Keira Daley and Heidi, played by Lizzie Moore - and Larry, played by Paul Geddes on the keys - the team chronicles the creation of their own show, writing about what to write about and the events shaping their journey to the Great White Way as they unfold. When it comes time to name their musical, the festival form asks for the [title of show] which leads them to the only logical conclusion for a musical like their’s: the show is christened [title of show].
A postmodern homage to the grand tradition of backstage musicals like Babes in Arms, Kiss Me Kate and A Chorus Line, [title of show] was conceived by composer Jeff Bowen and playwright Hunter Bell, who decided to write a completely original musical starring themselves and their friends. [title of show] premiered at the 2004 New York Musical Theatre Festival. Following this, [title of show] was offered a limited run off Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre and again played with great success resulting in the season being extended and the show winning three Obie Awards. In 2008, [title of show] came full circle, opening on Broadway and receiving a Tony Award nomination for Best Book of Musical.
“Title of Show is an hilarious, beautiful piece and I’m so excited and honoured to be involved in bringing it to Sydney. There is a thread of this wonderful absurd humour that runs through a sincere story of friendship about two guys writing a musical about… writing a musical! In the original production in New York, the creators also played the roles based on themselves and with our new cast of very talented Australian actors, we aim to rise to the challenge of recreating much of that authenticity” said Director, Jay James-Moody.
Director/ actor Jay James-Moody established Squabbalogic in 2006 to produce independent Sydney premiere productions of international fringe works and has directed all of Squabbalogic’s productions including The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Reefer Madness!, Forbidden Broadway and Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb Story. He is a recipient of the regional Young Australian of the Year and SMH Young Writer Awards, among other distinctions for writing and film. He made his professional theatre debut in the Australian Premiere of Jerry Springer: The Opera and features in a recurring role on Channel Nine’s Magical Tales.
TIMES: Tues at 6.30pm; Wed, Thurs & Fri at 8pm; Sat 2pm & 8pm
TICKET PRICES: Previews $25, Adult $39, Conc $30, Groups 10+ $28, Student/ Tuesdays $25
BOOKINGS: SEYMOUR CENTRE BOX OFFICE on 02 9351 7940 or www.seymourcentre.com OR TICKETMASTER on 1300 723 038 or www.ticketmaster.com.au
Added by internmgm on July 20, 2010