Michael Falzon joins the cast of JOSEPH
13th December 2008
Hot on the heels of his stellar performance as Hedwig in HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, Michael Falzon joins the cast of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT playing the role of Pharaoh.
Michael is one of Australia's hottest singer-songwriters having worked throughout Australasia, the USA and the UK, performing in theatre, concert, television and film. Michael received Helpmann and Mo Award nominations for his performance as leading man Galileo in the Ben Elton/Queen hit show, WE WILL ROCK YOU.
"It's great to have Michael join the cast," says director Tim O'Connor. "He brings a wealth of experience to the role, and I personally can't wait to see him bust out his best Elvis impersonation!"
Michael will be joined onstage by some of Queensland's best musical theatre performers, including Angela Cornford as the Narrator and Jordan Pollard as Joseph.
Tickets are on sale now for this strictly limited season of the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic.
Plays for seven performances only from the 18th March 2009 at the QPAC Playhouse.
For more information or to book for JOSEPH, click here....
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT - Harvest Rain Theatre Company
Every musical theatre lover has a story to tell about their first JOSEPH experience, but you can be guaranteed you’ve never seen a production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic musical quite like this. You know you’re onto something special when the season is effectively sold out weeks before opening night, and the creative team behind Harvest Rain Theatre Company’s latest blockbuster deserve only the highest accolades for this incredibly spectacular production. Director Tim O’Connor is the undisputed king of musical theatre in Queensland, and much of his success can be credited to his daring and readiness to take risks. As a director, O’Connor is a visionary. Time after time he demonstrates an extraordinary ability to turn even the most meagre, dated scripts into theatrical magic, and this is exactly what he achieves with JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT.
For this production, O’Connor has assembled his usual troupe of local creatives. Josh McIntosh’s 1960s Beatles-esque design provides a refreshing spin on the classic tale and is supported beautifully by Jason Glenwright’s brassy Broadway lighting design. The signature choreography from Brisbane’s favourite dancer Callum Mansfield is flashy (if not ever-so-slightly camp!) and the musical direction by Maitlohn Drew is first class. It’s more Austin Powers than upper powers, and the cast of 75 pulls out all stops to deliver a hugely entertaining night at the theatre.
In a career-capping performance as the Narrator, Angela Cornford once again confirms herself as one of Queensland’s leading ladies of musical theatre. The Queensland Conservatorium of Music student is proof that a classically trained singer can make the transition to Broadway, and as the Narrator, Cornford is undeniably stunning. Her performance is completely unaffected, and the switch between gentle school teacher and sexy showgirl is effortless.
But without question, the night belongs to fellow Queensland Conservatorium of Music student Jordan Pollard. In the title role, 18-year-old Pollard is a revelation. He breezes over Lloyd Webber’s complex score and raises the roof with his extraordinary voice. His performance of the infamous Close Every Door is heartbreaking, and casts an eerie stillness over the enchanted audience. You will not find another vocalist who can sing this song better than he can. In his opening night speech, O’Connor was spot on in saying that JOSEPH is only the very beginning for this exceptionally talented young performer.
In terms of creating a Las Vegas floorshow-esque feel, McIntosh’s design is extremely successful. Whilst the sheer scale of the set is impressive, however, fans of his previous work may be slightly underwhelmed. It’s still early days for the company at QPAC, but it seems that McIntosh’s most impressive work was showcased on the Sydney Street Theatre stage. When comparing the stationary
Screaming audience declares Joseph a winner
Review of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Harvest Rain Theatre Company were on to a winner when they decided to stage Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at QPAC. The show sold out three weeks before it opened, forcing the company to squeeze in a few more matinees to try to meet the demand.
Opening night played to a packed house and a much younger audience than you’d normally see in the Playhouse Theatre. There were groups of school age kids and lots of people in their early 20s – exactly the demographic theatres are trying to encourage. And they loved the show, giving the performers a screaming, standing ovation at the end.
My response wasn’t quite as ecstatic, but I was blown away by the sheer energy and talent on stage.
Sound problems, crackling microphones that cut in and out, and some problems with diction let down opening night’s performance – but the microphones will hopefully be fixed by the next performance.
Joseph is an Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical, based on the bible story about the boy whose brothers envy him and sell him off to be a slave. By the end, Joseph has risen to greatness and his brothers come grovelling to him. It’s a strange story to make into a musical, and its origins as a commission for a school choir to sing at an Easter concert, can still be seen.
Joseph might be the hero, but he’s a pretty unlikeable hero. He’s innocent and guileless to the point of looking as if he might not be all there. When he tells his brothers that he’s cut out for something special because he’s dreamt that they’re all puny stalks of corn, bowing down to his impressive stand, you can appreciate that they’d want to get rid of him!
Thankfully he has some great songs and Jordan Pollard, who plays our squeaky clean hero, has a beautiful and powerful voice. Jordan is just 18 and is an incredible talent to watch out for. He just needs some time to grow as a performer so that he can bring some more dimension to his characters.
Angela Cornfood was the narrator and, in my book, she had by far the most difficult role. Fortunately she sings like an angel and she was able to carry the story through all its convolutions as she kept the audience up to speed with what was happening, introduced characters and commented on the action.
Michael Falzon is the show’s special guest star and he makes a fabulous Elvis – oops, Pharoah! His pelvic gyrations were something to behold and were greatly enhanced by his fabulous costume.
Andrew Lloyd Webber clearly had a brilliant time writing the music for Joseph, there’s pretty much a song from every musical genre. From Whitney Houston-like warbling to Carribean calypso to a bit of country to a homage to Elvis, it’s all there. Whatever your musical tastes, there’ll be something to get your toes tapping.
But the highlight of the night for me was the dancing. Callum Mansfield has done a brilliant job with the choreography and the ensemble cast handled the pace, changes, complex steps and go-go dancing with aplomb.
This is a new look Joseph with a lot more dancing and a real sixties feel. And with 88 performers on stage (by my count) it’s no wonder the energy is high voltage.
Reviewed by Katherine Lyall-Watson
Ourbribane.com
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Harvest Rain Theatre Company
Written by Jason Whittaker
Saturday, 21 March 2009
It's no good for you, this Joseph. Sickly sanguine and sacrilegious, Andrew Lloyd Webber's biblical musical has never been quite as camp as this. Or, guiltily, as much fun.
Brisbane's Harvest Rain Theatre Company has sold out its spacious new venue, QPAC's Playhouse, for the full run of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Few are likely to be disappointed.
A company that aims to make theatre accessible has injected the pop back into Joseph, the second collaboration and first hit from Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice. More concert spectacular than musical performance, this is a toe-tapping, sing-along Joseph mega-mix in the gaudy, cracked-smiles tradition of high school Rock Eisteddfod.
Joseph was always a frivolous mix of musical styles and pop culture in-jokes, with an Elvis-inspired rockin' Pharaoh, go-go dancing disco, Deep South hillbilly country, 1920s swing, French ballads and Caribbean calypso. Harvest Rain Artistic Director Tim O'Connor and Choreographer Callum Mansfield take it up a notch with a frenetic all-singing, all-dancing explosion of sequins and back flips, as vibrant and colourful as it is instantly forgettable (except for those damn songs, which you'll never be able to get out of your head).
The plot is hardly important, universally familiar and heathenishly unfaithful to the biblical tale anyway. (Intuitive Joseph is sold to Egyptian slavery and left for dead by his jealous brothers, only to win over the pelvis-thrusting King with his dream-reading ability and accept the forgiveness of his family, excreta.) But as a platform for some show-stopping numbers, it works a treat.
The Playhouse stage is crowded with shiny, beaming young things, including a 12-strong band, dozens of kids up well past their bedtime, and some of the sweetest, wannabe-star voices in Queensland. The giddy enthusiasm is infectious and had the first-night crowd of adoring family and well-wishers out of their seats for a finale that just about blew the speakers. There was a lot of love in the room.
Jordan Pollard, a teenage prodigy from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music with a made-for-television face and 24-carat smile, is irresistibly charming as Joseph. His trained voice rises above the massive choir and imperfect audio production to barely crack with nerves. The technicolour coat fits like a glove.
As the chameleon Narrator, Harvest Rain regular Angela Cornford brings the pouting sex appeal with a versatile and stunning set of pipes that, like her legs, just don't quit. And "special guest" Michael Falzon, who last came to QPAC as the manic transsexual Hedwig with the Angry Inch to deliver a jaw-dropping performance, has a lot of fun with the gyrating, blue suede shoe-wearing Pharaoh.
Most of the cast is given their moment to shamelessly hog the spotlight - and boy do they grab it with both hands. There's more hams here than the butcher at Christmas, but they're all, seemingly, having the time of their lives.
Which is very hard to resist, in the way good, wholesome community theatre should be. Well done to all.
Harvest Rain Theatre Company presents
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT
by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber
Director Tim O’Connor
Michael Falzon to mix his Pharaoh with Elvis and Robbie
Article from: 
March 11, 2009 11:00pm
MICHAEL Falzon has never performed an Elvis impersonation before.
There's a first time for everything.
The Brisbane-based musical theatre performer, best known for his starring roles in We Will Rock You, War of the Worlds and Hedwig and the Angry Inch this month joins the cast of Harvest Rain Theatre Company's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
Falzon plays the show-stopping Pharaoh.
"The role traditionally is very Elvis but this is a fairly loose representation," he says.
"It's still a really good rock sing which I enjoy. He's very flamboyant, he comes out and it's real 1960s rock 'n' roll."
Asked by Harvest Rain Theatre Company director Tim O'Connor to add a bit of "Robbie Williams" to the role, Falzon plans to have a lot of fun on stage.
"It's so he's not so 'thank you very much'. It was an opportunity to free up the role a little bit and go in different places," Falzon says.
Queensland performers Angela Cornford and Jordan Pollard will play the lead roles of the Narrator and Joseph.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was written by the team of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice in 1968. Based on the "coat of many colours" story of Joseph from the Bible, the show was first presented as a 15-minute choral composition before being developed into a musical.
It was largely known as one of the only British musicals without spoken dialogue and sung completely.
The story is based on the Biblical story of Joseph, one of Jacob's 12 sons. Joseph's brothers are jealous of him for his coat, a symbol of their father's preference for him, and it's clear from Joseph's dreams that he is destined to rule over them. To get rid of him and prevent the dreams from coming true, they sell Joseph as a slave.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is the first production to be presented by Harvest Rain in QPAC's Playhouse Theatre.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Harvest Rain Theatre Company, QPAC Playhouse, March 18-22. Info 136 246 or www.qtix.com.au
Couriermail.com.au
Pharoah's set to rock Brisbane
Interview with Michael Falzon
Michael Falzon is all set to guest star as the Pharoah in Harvest Rain Theatre Company’s new production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. Michael is one of Australia's most in-demand singer-songwriters and has also been successful internationally performing in theatre, concert, television and film. He’s performed as leading man Galileo in the Ben Elton/Queen hit show, We Will Rock You, and joins the cast of Joseph direct from his acclaimed performance in the national tour of Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
ourbrisbane.com caught up with Michael to find out about his amazing journey as a performer.
MF: I've been pretty fortunate to work with the people involved in the productions I've performed in, from Queen and Ben Elton, Jeff Wayne (composer of The War of the Worlds) through to the excellent Aussie creative forces Kelley Abbey and Craig Ilott on Hedwig. Beside the obvious highlights of performing before thousands of people – quite a buzz in itself – there is a great satisfaction in working with the best in the biz. Joseph will be fun as it is working with and supporting a home-grown Brisbane company and performing at QPAC where I got my start in professional theatre back in 1994.
OB: What attracted you to the role of the Pharaoh?
MF: I was approached by QPAC and Harvest Rain when performing as Hedwig back in November 2008. Having understudied the role of Joseph in the original Really Useful production ten years ago, I was excited that this would be an all-new production. The wonderful design of this version takes us through the 50s and 60s and is very slick.
OB: You’ve had a spectacular career already, are there any goals you haven’t achieved yet? Roles you’d still like to play?
MF: It’s funny how [you] sometimes buy into the “grass is greener...” cliché. Though I'm working across a few creative fields, performing a lot and producing through my company SMA Productions, I wonder at times about doing more film, etc. Having said that, if Jesus Christ, Superstar ever comes back to Australia, I'd be there with bells on!
OB: If you weren’t a performer, what do you think you’d be doing?
MF: I think producing more. SMA is ticking along well now in London and I'd probably be spending more time over there. Mind you, I get there twice a year as it is. Another interest of mine was (is?) psychology. I actually got into UQ to study it and deferred to do more singing and acting. That was in 1990.
OB: When did you know you wanted to perform? How did you go about following that dream?
MF: Always. I guess the passion was really ignited upon the Lyric stage at QPAC when as a pirate I got my first buzz of performing in front of 2000 people.
OB: Is there anything in life you feel you’ve missed out on because of your career choice? (Is it hard on relationships, family etc?)
MF: It’s hard on everything...family, relationships, ego...sanity in general. There is no real clear course, which [you] might find in a “real” job. So, you take it as it comes, looking for good projects to be involved with. It is, however, tremendously rewarding in many ways too. Travel, well-paid, and you meet fantastic, talented people you wouldn't ordinarily meet.
OB: If you could be someone else for a day, who would you be and why?
MF: God. So I can discover if there is one. In a mortal sense, Barack Obama, so I could go back to my own life knowing that there isn't really any great pressure in it.
OB: What do you think of the state of the Arts in Australia?
MF: I am in Sydney every other week and try to catch as much as I can in the way of theatre. The great thing I am seeing is a lot of new people coming together to produce their own shows, their own work. This in turn is keeping theatre affordable and bringing in the punters! As a whole, we need to just keep people coming in to see the shows.
| Michael Falzon joins the cast of JOSEPH |
| 13th December 2008 |
Michael is one of Australia's hottest singer-songwriters having worked throughout Australasia, the USA and the UK, performing in theatre, concert, television and film. Michael received Helpmann and Mo Award nominations for his performance as leading man Galileo in the Ben Elton/Queen hit show, WE WILL ROCK YOU. "It's great to have Michael join the cast," says director Tim O'Connor. "He brings a wealth of experience to the role, and I personally can't wait to see him bust out his best Elvis impersonation!" Michael will be joined onstage by some of Queensland's best musical theatre performers, including Angela Cornford as the Narrator and Jordan Pollard as Joseph. Tickets are on sale now for this strictly limited season of the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic. Plays for seven performances only from the 18th March 2009 at the QPAC Playhouse. |
| For more information or to book for JOSEPH, click here.... |
| |
Every musical theatre lover has a story to tell about their first JOSEPH experience, but you can be guaranteed you’ve never seen a production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic musical quite like this. You know you’re onto something special when the season is effectively sold out weeks before opening night, and the creative team behind Harvest Rain Theatre Company’s latest blockbuster deserve only the highest accolades for this incredibly spectacular production. Director Tim O’Connor is the undisputed king of musical theatre in Queensland, and much of his success can be credited to his daring and readiness to take risks. As a director, O’Connor is a visionary. Time after time he demonstrates an extraordinary ability to turn even the most meagre, dated scripts into theatrical magic, and this is exactly what he achieves with JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT. For this production, O’Connor has assembled his usual troupe of local creatives. Josh McIntosh’s 1960s Beatles-esque design provides a refreshing spin on the classic tale and is supported beautifully by Jason Glenwright’s brassy Broadway lighting design. The signature choreography from Brisbane’s favourite dancer Callum Mansfield is flashy (if not ever-so-slightly camp!) and the musical direction by Maitlohn Drew is first class. It’s more Austin Powers than upper powers, and the cast of 75 pulls out all stops to deliver a hugely entertaining night at the theatre.
In a career-capping performance as the Narrator, Angela Cornford once again confirms herself as one of Queensland’s leading ladies of musical theatre. The Queensland Conservatorium of Music student is proof that a classically trained singer can make the transition to Broadway, and as the Narrator, Cornford is undeniably stunning. Her performance is completely unaffected, and the switch between gentle school teacher and sexy showgirl is effortless.
But without question, the night belongs to fellow Queensland Conservatorium of Music student Jordan Pollard. In the title role, 18-year-old Pollard is a revelation. He breezes over Lloyd Webber’s complex score and raises the roof with his extraordinary voice. His performance of the infamous Close Every Door is heartbreaking, and casts an eerie stillness over the enchanted audience. You will not find another vocalist who can sing this song better than he can. In his opening night speech, O’Connor was spot on in saying that JOSEPH is only the very beginning for this exceptionally talented young performer.
In terms of creating a Las Vegas floorshow-esque feel, McIntosh’s design is extremely successful. Whilst the sheer scale of the set is impressive, however, fans of his previous work may be slightly underwhelmed. It’s still early days for the company at QPAC, but it seems that McIntosh’s most impressive work was showcased on the Sydney Street Theatre stage. When comparing the stationary
It's no good for you, this Joseph. Sickly sanguine and sacrilegious, Andrew Lloyd Webber's biblical musical has never been quite as camp as this. Or, guiltily, as much fun.Brisbane's Harvest Rain Theatre Company has sold out its spacious new venue, QPAC's Playhouse, for the full run of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Few are likely to be disappointed.
A company that aims to make theatre accessible has injected the pop back into Joseph, the second collaboration and first hit from Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice. More concert spectacular than musical performance, this is a toe-tapping, sing-along Joseph mega-mix in the gaudy, cracked-smiles tradition of high school Rock Eisteddfod.
Joseph was always a frivolous mix of musical styles and pop culture in-jokes, with an Elvis-inspired rockin' Pharaoh, go-go dancing disco, Deep South hillbilly country, 1920s swing, French ballads and Caribbean calypso. Harvest Rain Artistic Director Tim O'Connor and Choreographer Callum Mansfield take it up a notch with a frenetic all-singing, all-dancing explosion of sequins and back flips, as vibrant and colourful as it is instantly forgettable (except for those damn songs, which you'll never be able to get out of your head).
The Playhouse stage is crowded with shiny, beaming young things, including a 12-strong band, dozens of kids up well past their bedtime, and some of the sweetest, wannabe-star voices in Queensland. The giddy enthusiasm is infectious and had the first-night crowd of adoring family and well-wishers out of their seats for a finale that just about blew the speakers. There was a lot of love in the room.
Jordan Pollard, a teenage prodigy from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music with a made-for-television face and 24-carat smile, is irresistibly charming as Joseph. His trained voice rises above the massive choir and imperfect audio production to barely crack with nerves. The technicolour coat fits like a glove.
As the chameleon Narrator, Harvest Rain regular Angela Cornford brings the pouting sex appeal with a versatile and stunning set of pipes that, like her legs, just don't quit. And "special guest" Michael Falzon, who last came to QPAC as the manic transsexual Hedwig with the Angry Inch to deliver a jaw-dropping performance, has a lot of fun with the gyrating, blue suede shoe-wearing Pharaoh.
Most of the cast is given their moment to shamelessly hog the spotlight - and boy do they grab it with both hands. There's more hams here than the butcher at Christmas, but they're all, seemingly, having the time of their lives.
Which is very hard to resist, in the way good, wholesome community theatre should be. Well done to all.
Harvest Rain Theatre Company presents
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT
by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber
Director Tim O’Connor
Asked by Harvest Rain Theatre Company director Tim O'Connor to add a bit of "Robbie Williams" to the role, Falzon plans to have a lot of fun on stage.
bravenet.com