Fantastic Fantastix

Welcome to Episode 2 of the Theatre in a Box Trivia Podcast We have taken the Theatre in a Box Musical Theatre Board Game and morphed it into a trivia podcast. Our very special guest quiz master is Karen Oliver, author of How To Fail At Showbiz & Survive. www.howtofailatshowbizandsurvive.com karenolivervocalist.com https://www.facebook.com/howtofailatshowbizandsurvive There are four rounds of questions for this episode: Round 1. Musicals with Something in Common Round 2. Alphatheatrical - Letter P Round 3. Vague Musical Synopsis Round 4. Our Featured Musical - Mamma Mia! (Karen's choice) Website: www.theatreinabox.com.au Use the promo code 'Podcast' to get a 10% discount on the Theatre in a Box musical theatre party board game. Game Creator: Brenton Crewes, Flynn Crewes, Paul Morrison. Podcast Host: Paul Morrison Theme music provided by Jacob Morrison.

Welcome to the Theatre in a Box Trivia Podcast! We have taken the Theatre in a Box Musical Theatre Board Game and morphed it into a trivia podcast. There are four rounds of questions for this episode: Round 1. Musical Theatre Covers Round 2. Alphatheatrical - Letter A Round 3. General Knowledge Round 4. Our Featured Musical - Hairspray Website: https://theatreinabox.com.au/ Use the promo code 'Podcast' to get a 10% discount on the Theatre in a Box musical theatre party board game. Game Creator: Brenton Crewes, Flynn Crewes, Paul Morrison. Podcast Host: Paul Morrison Theme music provided by Jacob Morrison.

As a preamble to this episode I wanted to mention that it was recorded before the issues that arose within the Performing Arts community last week, with a lot of productions being postponed of closing down. One of those productions is ‘Tell Me On A Sunday’ with D2 Productions starring Nikole Music. Nikole is my guest in today’s episode, and we discuss the Top 5 Break Up Songs in Musical Theatre. The performing arts space is doing it tough at the moment. One thing I’ve recognised In the 25 years that I’ve been involved with musical theatre is that we are a wonderful community who always look out for each other. We are all in this together. Fantastix as a company was set up to help people put on a show. Since there are no shows at the moment, I still wanted to fulfil my commitment to musical theatre and produce a podcast episode every fortnight. I did consider not releasing episode 33 but Nikole was such a wonderful guest, the conversation was great and the top 5 Break Up Songs make up a stellar list. The music

There have been many, many people who have gifted the world wonderful music. Some of these people have been immortalised in a musical. Paul speaks with Emilie Lawson, who is playing Carole King in Miranda Musical Society’s Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, about the Top 5 Musicals Based on Real People. Emilie’s Top 5 Jersey Boys Beautiful Evita The Boy From Oz Funny Girl Paul’s Top 5 Barnum The Boy From Oz Beautiful Catch Me If You Can Mack & Mabel FANTASTIX BITS IN THE INTERVIEW The great roles Emilie had in High School Which community group blew Emilie’s socks off? Quadruple threat alert! Caveat for this countdown, both countdowns include shows Emilie and Paul have seen. How Babs performance makes us forget Fanny Brice When you think of Boy from Oz do you think of Peter Allen, Hugh Jackman, Todd McKenney or maybe even Gavin Leahy? Emilie’s personal family history influences one of her choices…..is it Tenterfield, The Bronx, Argentina or New Jersey? Allllll those Carole King songs you just didn’t

Iconic Dances in musical theatre. Episode 31 proved to be our most difficult countdown yet! Luckily, I’ve teamed up with Michael Osborne to discuss this very subjective topic. Michael is currently appearing as Cosmo Brown in Rockdale Musical Society’s Singin’ in the Rain – which on its own contains four iconic dances. Let the countdown begin. And 5-6-7-8… Michael’s Top 5 Iconic Dances Good Mornin’ – Singin’ in the Rain Gym Dance – West Side Story One – A Chorus Line All That Jazz – Chicago The Club - In The Heights Paul’s Top 5 Iconic Dances Cell Block Tango – Chicago Singin’ in the Rain – Singin’ in the Rain Step in Time – Mary Poppins Prologue – West Side Story We’re in the Money – 42nd Street Honourable Mentions - Michael Opening Audition Scene – 42nd Street Jellicle Ball – Cats All of Kinky Boots Hand Jive – Grease Honourable Mentions – Paul One – A Chorus Line Anything Goes – Anything Goes I Got Rhythm – Crazy for You Hey Big Spender – Sweet Charity FANTASTIX BITS IN THE INTERVIEW The music in t

Welcome to a new year of Fantastic Fantastix. Another choc-full calendar of production essentials awaits us all… For the first episode (Episode 30) of Fantastic Fantastix of 2020 I want to stick to my promise to have a 360’ look at musical theatre. So, I thought I’d go ‘behind the scenes’ and speak with writer, composer and lyricist Jye Bryant about the top 5 tips for writing and staging a new musical. His has written and collaborated on many productions including Things I Could Never Tell Steven, Captain Moonlite, Sempre Libera, Gold Digger Nights, Adam & Steve and The Velveteen Rabbit. He also has many other projects in the works which we discuss in the interview including True Blue. As an Author, Writing & Staging A New Musical by Jye Bryant is an instructional manual for anyone eager to create and premiere their own original piece of musical theatre. It is filled with useful tricks, tips and templates designed to reduce the workload for creators and producers alike. Top 5 Tips for Writing & St

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; Obviously, this house did not belong to a fan of musical theatre. There are so many songs from Musical Theatre that get you in the mood for Christmas. Because this is our Festive Fantastic Fantastix – I wanted to get a very special Christmas guest. They say behind every successful man is an exhausted woman and for Santa Claus – this is no different. Welcome to our Festive Fantastic Fantastix…Mrs Claus. Mrs Claus We Need a Little Christmas Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas White Christmas It’s Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas Baby It’s Cold Outside Paul’s Top 5 It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas We Need a Little Christmas Surabaya Santa Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher Twelve Days to Christmas   FANTASTIX BITS IN THE INTERVIEW What is Christmas Eve like in the Claus house? How Mrs Claus’ is like a Cabinet Member supporting the leader of a nation Mrs Claus teaches us how the naught

Shorter episode this week. I am flying solo to count down a very specific Top 5 - Musicals That Are Fantastix But We May Never See On Stage Again. We have time today for a Top 5 AND some exciting news. The Online Community Theatre Christmas Party is back! All the details are in the podcast, below in the show notes and via this link Paul’s Top 5 Lil Abner Finian’s Rainbow Kiss Me Kate The Pyjama Game Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Honourable Mentions Annie Get Your Gun Brigadoon Damn Yankees Paint Your Wagon   FANTASTIX BITS IN THE INTERVIEW The most rousing dance number in musical theatre Porter, R&H, Berlin OH MY Does sexism, social relevance and political incorrectness play a factor in these shows disappearing from our stages? Can they be enjoyed with due consideration given to the era they were written in? OR can they be modernised for future enjoyment? Which show on the list makes it to another list (Musical’s with a show within the show)? Listen out for Paul’s ‘Fantastix’ Irish accent Which com

IT’S MY BIRTHDAY!! Hooray. The great thing about my birthday is that I get to share it with my twin sister, Julie. We have thrown some great birthday parties over the years. …And since it was Julie that first encouraged me to join The Regals Musical Society back in 1996 – I thought we should discuss the Top 5 Party Scenes in Musical Theatre. I have to say it’s a tough category to narrow down to just 5 – but between the two of us, I’m sure we’ll manage. Happy birthday, Julie!! I hope it’s Fantastic Fantastix… Julie’s Top 5 Til Death Do Us Party – Tickets Please Sadie Hawkin’s Day – Lil Abner Embassy Ball/Ascot – My Fair Lady Gym Scene – West Side Story Blow Gabriel Blow – Anything Goes Paul’s Top 5 Rhythm of Life – Sweet Charity Gym Scene – West Side Story Big Fun – Heathers Dancing Through Life – Wicked High School Prom Scene – Carrie Honourable Mentions Dancing Through Life – Wicked Masquerade – Phantom of the Opera Be Our Guest – Beauty & The Beast High School Dance – Bare Clam Bake – Carousel (Dis

I just got back from the US after a holiday with the family. I was going through my emails and I saw one that was entitled ‘Love the Podcast’. It was from Blake Erickson. It’s always nice to get positive feedback for the things that you’re doing and there was only one thing to do upon receiving this email – which was to get Blake on the show! The great thing about Blake is that he brings a wonderful mix of community theatre experience and professional theatre experience. It gave us the chance to discuss the Top 5 Australian Cast Recordings as well as community theatre, professional theatre and theatre in Australia. About Blake… Blake has worked throughout Australia, Asia, Britain, and the United States as a writer, actor, and singer. He studied drama and musical theatre at the University of Sydney & The Actor’s Connection New York. In early 2019 Blake co-wrote the new Australian musical The Dismissal, which premiered at the Seymour Centre. Prior to this he appeared in the international tour of Cameron Mac

Today we talk to a children’s entertainer, musical educator, professional performer, wife and mother to talk all things musical theatre families. Louise’s Top 5 Tevye, Golde and their 5 Daughters – Fiddler on the Roof Donna & Sophie Sheridan – Mamma Mia The Elliot Family – Billy Elliot The Family Von Trapp – The Sound of Music The Baker and his Wife – Into The Woods Honourable Mentions Johnston Family in Blood Brothers Snow Family in Carousel Family in Grey Gardens Seven Brothers in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Paul’s Top 5 Von Trapp Family Singers – Sound of Music The Addams Family – The Addams Family Tevye, Golde, Tzietel, Hodel, Chava, Beilke, Shptintze - Fiddler on the Roof The Banks Family – Mary Poppins Wormwood Family - Matilda   FANTASTIX BITS IN THE INTERVIEW Hullabaloolou – it’s a thing (not a label)! Can you name a vegetable starting with the letter i? Do you appropriately appreciate editing processes? Spoiler alert for Into the Woods (act 2) Should we adopt the title of Von Morrison

I am surprised that this episode’s guest even allowed me to be part of this podcast, she demanded her own dressing room and to have grapes peeled and fed to her on the hour.  Today I am speaking about and to a Musical Theatre Diva! My special guest today is currently playing Maria Callas in D2 Production's Masterclass so before she gets me kicked out of the studio let's hear from the wonderful Virginia Natoli Virginia’s Top 5  Eva Peron – Evita Norma Desmond – Sunset Boulevarde Mrs Lovett – Sweeney Todd Mamma Rose – Gypsy Reno Sweeny – Anything Goes Maria Callas – Masterclass Paul’s Top 5 Eva Peron – Evita Mamma Rose – Gypsy Dolly Levi – Hello Dolly! Fanny Bryce – Funny Girl Annie – Annie Get Your Gun FANTASTIX BITS IN THE INTERVIEW Who does Virginia base her entire Top 5 on? In true diva fashion how many roles in Virginia's top 5? Insights into Dementia Australia fundraising “We need more women for our show” Do belty songs and Diva roles go hand in hand Which manipulator sneaks onto the list Did Diva #2

“I believe something wonderful is going to happen to me today.” My guest today, Daniel Tolson, is a former champion athlete, he has led a team of more than 17,000 cabin crew and has personally conducted more than 1000 studies into emotional intelligence. I wanted to get Daniel on the show because there are many moments in the Performing Arts where confidence, performance and being rejection proof are paramount. Daniel and I are going to give you TWO top 5’s for the price of one. I wanted to discuss with you the top 5 things we can do to emotionally prepare for public performance and the top 5 ways of becoming rejection proof. In other words, the Top 5 Ways to Perform at Your Best… FANTASTIX BITS IN THE INTERVIEW D is for Daniel or is it? For every minute in planning you save 10 minutes in execution Daily preparation is the key of the high performing individual Knock and the door will open Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) aka the language we use to program our own mind. Our thoughts predict 95% of our feeli

Over recent podcast episodes I've spoken to a large variety of guests. I've spoken to Community Theatre Royalty. As well as that - Josh Piterman (Eps. #011) is now starring as The Phantom on London’s West End and Bob Corff (Eps.#017) is being featured on the soundtrack of Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Today I am even luckier to have two guests both being featured in the same amazing ‘based on a true story’ musical. They need no introduction but I’ll say this…they were employees in an enchanted castle, turned into household items and helped their Master find love and break a spell. Welcome to Fantastic Fantastix – Lumiere and Cogsworth (aka. The very talented Lachlan O’Brien and Nathan Farrow) to discuss the Top 5 Musical Theatre Dynamic Duos. FANTASTIX BITS IN THE INTERVIEW What were Cogsworth and Lumiere’s first musicals? How did Cogsworth’s Swiss relatives help with his first role? How many clock puns are in this episode? Find out if Cogsworth can cope with an anticlockwise countdown?

Happy Father’s Day to all the Father’s out there, especially to my Dad – who, along with my mum, is traveling overseas. I’m sure you’re having a great time and I look forward to catching up when you both get back. To celebrate Father’s Day, I wanted to catch up with someone who was raised in Musical Theatre, performed on stage with his Dad, and is now a father himself with children who also involved in the performing arts. Today I am catching up with Geoff Stone. We were both born and raised at The Regals Musical Society. Just like my parents, Geoff’s parents met through Community Theatre and they passed their love of theatre on to the next generation. Geoff and I spoke about the Top 5 father roles in musical theatre. Community Theatre really is a magical place. Even though I no longer go to rehearsals in my pajamas and dressing gown and sleep under the chairs – I still find it as magical as ever. This episode is dedicated to all the fathers out there. Whether they are looking down from above or still with us

Today I am catching up with Sarah Friedrich and Karen Oliver who are appearing in Ruthless the Musical. Considering they are playing mother and daughter is Ruthless the Musical, I thought it was appropriate to discuss the Top 5 Mother Daughter Roles in Musical Theatre. We covered all sorts of topics including D2 Productions, Dementia Australia, Musicals with good quality female roles and the new flight path theatre. During the not so fast Fantastix Fast Five we discuss everything from whether wine is considered a food group to cheese and carbs, From Frank Sinatra to Justin Timberlake. So, let’s discuss the top 5 Mother Daughter roles in musical theatre with Sarah Friedrich and Karen Oliver from Ruthless the Musical. FANTASTIX BITS IN THE INTERVIEW There’s no I in Theatre What does a former police office and criminal lawyer have in common? Can you say ‘piss take’ on a podcast? The most aptly named theatre space ever Who are the most supportive couple on the Sydney Theatre scene? We need more sopranos, said no

Today I thought I’d discuss an unsung hero of the musical theatre world  - the sidekick. That ever faithful, long-suffering, bumbling, punching bag that we all know and love. I am speaking with theatre performance, screen and voice actor and according to his website a pretty nice guy, Nicholas Richard, who has played many sidekicks over the years and is currently appearing as Manuel in Faulty Towers The Original Dining Experience. We discussed the traits that makes a good sidekick, the difference between a sidekick and a dynamic duo, The newly created Fantastix Sidekick Quotient and most importantly the Top 5 Musical Theatre Sidekicks… So, let’s see what happens when two self-confessed sidekicks discuss the Top 5 Musical Theatre Sidekicks. FANTASTIX BITS IN THE INTERVIEW What is the job of the sidekick? Are sidekicks pitied or loved? What allows Nicholas to produce better facial expressions? The ‘vague out’ clause of his current role How the Sidekick and comedy goes hand in hand Sidekick’s as the catalyst of

18 episodes into this podcast! Fantastic Fantastix is well and truly a teenager – so I thought it was about time to talk about Teenage musicals. My guest today is a very talented local performer, 15-year-old Flynn Crewes. Currently assistant directing and playing the role of Scar in The Lion King Jr at The Regals Musical Society, we took time away from rehearsals to discuss the top 5 musicals for teenagers to be in. We spoke about balancing his onstage passions with all the other aspects of being a teenage school student, I find out who is Fantastic Fantastix biggest fan, Flynn gives advice to any teenagers looking to get into musical theatre and I ask him the Fantastix Fast Five. So, before my 18th episode starts ignoring me, thinks that it knows everything and sleeps in until noon – let’s talk to Flynn Crewes about the Top 5 Musicals for Teenagers to be in. FANTASTIX BITS IN THE INTERVIEW How old was Flynn when he first discovered musical theatre? What is his favourite role so far? Flynn talks about his ne

USA! USA! USA! Happy 4th of July. It’s Independence Day. Today’s episode is all about the great American musical. Everything in America is big and this episode is no exception. Not only have I got my first international guest, this episode of Fantastic Fantastix is nearly an hour long. I spoke with someone who was involved with amongst others The mother of Dragons, fighting with light sabres and a wizard with a scar on his head. Bob Corff is a Broadway performer turned vocal coach and has worked with many a-list stars and on many of the blockbuster movies. We spoke about the top 5 all-American musicals, his big break at a gas station, performing as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, becoming a vocal coach, his favourite warm-up techniques and accents. He told me a great story about Leonard Bernstien and during the fast five he talks about being wooed for the role of Jean Val Jean on Broadway. I loved my chat with Bob Corff (A.K.A. The Voice Doctor) as we discussed the Top 5 All-American musicals. FANTASTIX BITS

Today we are talking about two very important aspects of Community Musical Theatre – Volunteers and Fundraising. As part of our 360’ look at musical theatre, our guest is Mandy Weidmann otherwise known as the Fundraising Whisperer. Because let’s face it – without the funds there is no show. Mandy is an expert at fundraising and her website www.fundraisingdirectory.com.au is a wonderful resource that I encourage you to have a look at. So that you can continue putting on your community theatre productions, we are discussing the Top 5 Fundraising Ideas of All Time #yourewelcome FANTASTIX BITS IN THE INTERVIEW Volunteer management and retention Employing a ‘Thank You’ Sargent Are Bunnings BBQ’s still relevant To CHOC or not? Wine and socks and plants, OH MY! Bogan Bingo Getting comfortable with Sponsorship conversations Bieber Badgering Wish Boards Gaffa Tape – we know you love it! Mandy’s Top 5 Sponsorship Events (trivia/bingo etc) Product drives Raffles BBQ or Cake Stalls  THINGS TO CHECK OUT AFTER THIS EP