Musical theatre students will have the chance to perform with a Broadway legend this week, when diva Patti LuPone hits the stage at the Queensland Conservatorium Theatre.
A Multiple Tony and Grammy Award-winner will perform her critically acclaimed show, Don’t Monkey with Broadway, to a packed house at the Queensland Conservatorium Theatre on Wednesday night.
The concert, presented by Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University in association with the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), will feature a chorus of third-year Bachelor of Musical Theatre students.
Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University Director Professor Scott Harrison said the collaboration with QPAC had provided remarkable opportunities for students.
“We are delighted to welcomePattiLuPoneto the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University,” he said.
“Our close ties with the Queensland Performing Arts Centre have opened up once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for our students.
“A chance to perform alongside one of Broadway’s renowned musical theatre artists is a fantastic learning experience for our young performers.”
Professor Harrison said Queensland Conservatorium graduates formed the backbone of performing arts productions in Australia and on the world stage.
“Since its inception in 2011, our Bachelor of Musical Theatre hasturned out thecountry’s finest triple-threat talent, with graduates cast in high profile productions likeMy Fair Lady,Aladdin,Mamma MiaandBeautiful,” he said.
“The program was the first of its kind in the country, and offers aspiring musical theatre stars the chance toprepare for a career in the industry underthe direction of internationally renowned teachers and performers.
“Our program has afocus on industry engagement and we believe itis vital that young performers build their professional networks and gain exposure to theindustry while they study.”
QPACChief Executive John Kotzas said the ongoing partnership with the Queensland Conservatorium was part of a commitment to nurture the next generation of performers.
“Collaborating with our precinct partners Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University to provide our next generation of musical theatre stars with the opportunity to learn from and perform alongsidePattireflectsQPAC’s commitment to facilitating meaningful creative exchanges and establishing enduring professional relationships for young artists,” he said.
Known as the reigning diva of Broadway, LuPonewill perform classic show tunes by the likes of Richard Rodgers, Stephen Schwartz, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin.
The American Theatre Hall of Famer will return to London’s West End later this year in a new production of Stephen Sondheim’s musicalCompany –a show that also forms part of the Queensland Conservatorium’s winter season at the Brisbane Powerhouse next month.
LuPoneis a two-time Tony Award winner for her role as Madame Rose in the most recent Broadway revival of the musicalGypsyand for her now legendary performance in the title role in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’sEvita.She reprised her performance for local audiences duringEvita’soriginal Australian run in the early ’80s.
Since then,LuPonehas graced stages and screens around the world with credits covering film, TV, recordings and theatre. In 2010, she released her autobiography,PattiLuPone: A Memoirwhich became aNew York Timesbestseller.
Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University in association with theQueensland Performing Arts Centre(QPAC) is proud to presentDon’t Monkey with Broadwayat theConservatorium TheatreonWednesday 27 June 2018. Tickets are available through qtix.