Johanna Allen and I have been working together on and off for quite a few years now. I think the first time was for a project we did with a group called the ‘George Street Theatre Company’ which was a off-shoot of the local Gilbert & Sullivan Society for young artists.
This show is a follow-up to Johanna’s show of 2005, ‘Johanna with an H’. The title sums it up I suppose – Johanna is an experienced performer with operatic, musical theatre and cabaret feathers all in her cap. Adelaide audiences will have seen her on stage with the State Opera company of SA, Opera Australia, various productions at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival and with the popular cabaret act ‘Gentlemen Prefer Curves’. [Little known fact is that I actually played for this group in one of its earliest incarnations, but they had to get rid of me or change the name to Gentlemen WITH Curves.]
Obviously, Jo isn’t as new to the cabaret scene as the title of the show may imply – but then the definition of ’success’ in cabaret is probably a little hard to define anyway.
We’ve been selecting, developing and of course rehearsing material for the show for a few weeks now and I think it’s shaping up really well. The Ruby Frost (String) Quartet will be guest artists and accompany Jo for some of the numbers.
‘How to Succeed in Cabaret…’ will be the last opportunity for Adelaide audiences to see Johanna perform before she begins rehearsals in Melbourne for her part in the exciting Australian production of ‘Wicked’.
‘How to Succeed in Cabaret…’ is at the Queens Arms Hotel - Wright St, Adelaide Friday May 2 and Saturday May 3, 2008 @ 7.30pm.
Tickets can be booked by phoning BASS on 131 246 or at www.bass.net.au
Tags: Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Cabaret, Entertainment, Gentlemen Prefer Curves, George Street Theatre Company, Gilbert & Sullivan Society, How to Succeed in Cabaret, Johanna Allen, Johanna with an H, Matthew Carey, music, Music Theater, Music Theatre, Opera Australia, Queens Arms Hotel, Ruby Frost String Quartet, State Opera, Wicked
